[Amps] Vertex_Yaesu Merger

[Paul Christensen]

> "Motorola bought them with the usual flurry of press releases, promises 
> etc. Storno (or 'Stornorola' as they got called) have disappeared, and 
> few, if any employees are still employed by Motorola."

According to the press release, if the deal goes through, Motorola will have 
80% controlling interest in VS (Yaesu).  Here in the U.S., such announced 
deals are often referred to as mergers, joint-ventures (e.g., the recent 
press release), or an acquisition.  These are all terms used to soften the 
blow to employees and vendors in the industry.  But such a purchase needs to 
be called what it truly is: a take-over of VS.

What has kept VS and Icom producing leading-edge equipment has been a ham at 
the helm of the company -- much the same way that Art Collins stayed in the 
ham business when for all intents and purposes he could have left the 
amateur market with the execution of the first U.S. Government contract in 
the 1930s.

I have lived through several take-overs in the telecom industry, including 
deals with AT&T, MediaOne, Comcast, and numerous buy-outs in the 
broadcasting industry.  The courtship is filled with many optimistic 
promises and so many people (financial analysts, shareholders, and 
employees) are all too gullible as they take these promises "hook, line, and 
sinker."  But after the wedding, the truth in organizational structure and 
long-term objectives always comes out.

Paul, W9AC