Gamefront.de

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Namco plans to merge with Bandai

Namco und Bandai wollen fusionieren

Babelfish

02.05.05 - Bandai and Namco plan to fold up their business starting from 
autumn 2005, whereby the second largest toy video game manufacturer of Japan 
would develop. Forbes is reporting this with reference to the Japanese 
newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun.


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Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/05/01/afx1988580.html



Quote:
      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.

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Bloomberg

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=av7r5g5l2tjg&refer=home

 Bandai Co. and Namco Ltd. may advance after the Nihon Keizai newspaper said 
they will merge this autumn to create Japan's second-largest toymaker, 
behind only Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. Shares of Bandai and Namco were 
temporarily suspended by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.