Readers will have noticed that we take a strong interest in mergers and acquisitions - four of which are reported this week.
This kind of activity is interesting because it shows which businesses are doing well and expanding.
Interestingly, almost all our reports include comments from the purchaser which value the leadership, staff and business ethos of the take-over target. Often, the founders of the acquired business stay on to lead the transition - and sometimes beyond that.
What would be interesting is to revisit the acquired businesses a few years later to see how much of the original character remains - and if the operations have been improved by the new owners. One suspects that in large dealer groups in particular, the business philosophies and practices of the group eventually take over and not much of the former identity persists in the long run. And maybe that's not a bad thing - if it reflects the strength and success of the new owners.