Namco og Bandai Fusionerer

Bandai, Namco to form Japan's second-largest toy-game group in fall - report
05.01.2005, 07:48 PM

TOKYO (AFX) - Bandai Co and Namco Ltd plan to integrate their operations as early as autumn to create the second-largest toy-game business group in Japan, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported without citing sources.

Their combined annual sales total 458 bln yen, trailing only those of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc, the business daily said.

The integration plan is expected to be announced today after extraordinary board meetings this morning, it said, adding that both companies had been contemplating tie-ups with other companies to ensure their survival amid intensifying competition stemming from Japan's rapidly falling birthrate.

Bandai is Japan's leading toymaker, and has product development rights to a range of popular animated characters. It has been using those rights not only in its toy business, but also in video and video game operations.

Namco is a major developer of home video games and arcade game equipment, as well as a leading operator of amusement facilities.

tokyo.bureau@xfn.com rte/rc

A merger will bring Bandai's strength in hardware, in the sense that they make toys, and Namco's creative software and characters,'' said Yuuki Sakurai, who helps manage the equivalent of $4.7 billion of Japanese equities at Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Co. ``It's positive for the shares at least for the short-term.''

The merger will help the companies compete with market leader Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. as Japan's falling population and low birth rate means there are fewer children buying video games, Nikkei said. The companies may also develop content for high-speed Internet access and mobile phone users, the newspaper said.

RJK>
Square/Enix, Sega/Sammy, Hudson/Konami, Namco/Bandai.

Så mangler der vel efterhånden kun Capcom på den liste?