Synopses & Reviews
Written by the first woman director of the Gillette Company, this is an exciting first-hand account of Gillette's successful fight against four hostile takeover efforts during the late 1980s. After a brief, insightful history of the company and the growth of its world-famous products--Gillette razors and blades; Braun coffee machines and electric razors; Oral-B toothbrushes; Paper Mate, Waterman, and Parker pens; and cosmetics--the author tells the inside story of Ronald Perelman's three attempts and the Coniston Partners' one attempt to take over Gillette. Ricardo-Campbell, who chaired Gillette's Finance Committee during this period, provides a fascinating look at the ensuing proxy battles and other intricate financial maneuvers. Combining academic theory and first-hand experience in its discussion of topics such as greenmail and poison pills, this work also features such world-renowned corporate figures as Warren Buffett, Joe Flom, and Eric Gleacher.
About the Author
RITA RICARDO-CAMPBELL is Senior Fellow Emerita at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction -- 2. November 1986: In Play -- 3. Gillette Company: Brief History -- 4. Takeover Climate: Poison Pills, Junk Bonds, Stock Price, Industrial Espionage(?), Insider Knowledge -- 5. Restructuring of Gillette -- 6. Hot Summer: Unsolicited Bids of 1987 -- 7. Target -- 8. Proxy Contest and Legal Outcome -- 9. Proxy Fight Overhang -- 10. In Retrospect.