Renewed hunger for business expansion

Baker Tilly's 2009 Owner-Managed Business (OMB) Survey found, three quarters of firms are planning to make an acquisition or establish a joint venture with former competitors. However, more than half of the respondents predict more redundancies and expect a further drop in sales in the coming year, despite the much lauded "green shoots of recovery". The survey of more than 300 board directors of companies with a turnover of £5m to £50m across all industry sectors, also found, 38% plan to make an acquisition in the next three years, while 35% plan to establish a joint venture in the same t...