Often this need for growth in an industry becomes their death knell if those companies try to be everything at once. The main utility company in Tucson nearly went bankrupt when they forgot they were in the power business and branched out into investing in all kinds of other things they knew nothing about.

What I have observed is that companies dedicated to a particular purpose, regardless of how huge they are, tend to be better at what they do, and more responsible. Think of all the corporations, in any field, who have a reputation for being good at what they do. How many are family-owned? More importantly, how many do one thing really well instead of fifty different things so-so?

The worst abuses I have seen have come when some acquisition conglomerate absorbs such a company, and runs it as a financial asset with little interest in the actual product. I have seen this happen again and again, including when the company my Dad worked for, Green Giant, was swallowed by Pillsbury (this was a long time after I worked there myself. I have no idea who owns it now.) The product was still good, but something was lost in the process, and IMO, it was never again as exceptional.

A lumber company (can't remember the name) with a sterling reputation for resource management and clean operations turned into "cut it all down now" operation when some portfolio-packer ate them up.

I'm sure most of us could think of other examples.

I don't support any more legal crap than we already have to stop this, but I hope companies tempted by fat buyouts keep this in mind.