Synopses & Reviews
This study of Ferranti in its last six years of a long history provides a detailed exposition of the British and American businessmen who combined to terminate one of the UK's leading defence electronics firms. Involving action in the Middle East, South Africa and Pakistan, as well as the UK and USA, this highlights the precarious nature of international arms trading.
Review
To come
Synopsis
This history of Ferranti during the last six years of its long existence provides a detailed exposition of the merger with an American firm that would bring it to its knees. Although only covering six years, this builds on the previous two volumes of the Ferranti history that has outlined how the firm grew into one of the UK's leading defence electronics operations. Having survived a major liquidity crisis in 1974-75, Ferranti recovered robustly under new management, only to flounder under the same leadership as a result of a major foray into the American defence electronics industry. The case-study outlines the inherent dangers in international mergers, as well as the acute problems associated with City and corporate governance practices which resulted in decisions that undermined Ferranti fatally.
Synopsis
The case-study outlines the inherent dangers in international mergers, as well as explaining the acute problems associated with City practices that avoided issues that would bring down Ferranti in spectacular fashion.
About the Author
John F. Wilson is Professor of Strategy at the University of Liverpool, UK.
Table of Contents
1. Ferranti by the Mid-1980s
2. The Rise of ISC
3. A Step too Far? Merger with ISC
4. From Honeymoon to Divorce
5. Investigations and Court Cases
6. The Rescue Strategy
7. The 'New Ferranti International'
8. Demise and Epilogue
Appendix A: The Financing of Ferranti, 1890-1993
Appendix B: Profitability and Return on Capital Employed at Ferranti, 1892-1993
Appendix C: Turnover and Employment at Ferranti, 1890-1993
Appendix D: Chairmen and Directors of Ferranti, 1905-93
Bibliography