Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

United Tech Bids $2.6B for Diebold

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the how-much-does-an-election-cost dept.

zhang1983 writes "United Technologies, parent company of jet engine-maker Pratt & Whitney, Otis elevator and Sikorsky Aircraft, said it made the unsolicited offer to Diebold for $2.63 billion on Friday after trying to negotiate a deal for two years. United Technologies said the company announced the offer Sunday night because executives believe their offer is "so compelling we thought shareholders should know about it.""

5 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Confusion by captaindirtnap · · Score: 5, Informative

    2-3 Billion$ ATM business... 100 Million$ Election system business... Why do people think Diebold is primarily election systems-based?

  2. Profit! by gnurfed · · Score: 5, Insightful
    1. Buy Diebold
    2. Elect neo-conservatives
    3. Get the US into more wars
    4. Sell lots of military hardware
    5. Profit!
    (no ????-step this time)
  3. Re:Yeah but... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Should we accept the buyout offer by United Tech?

    24% --- In favor
    25% --- Against
    51% --- Republican

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  4. Re:It's probably not about Premier Elections Syste by GWLlosa · · Score: 5, Informative

    That is entirely correct. Diebold is one of the key players in the ATM business, as well as being a major provider of banking security equipment. To clarify (since this is slashdot) banking security here refers to safes, cameras, locks, and bulletproof teller windows, not encrypted data on the server or anything. They've also made a significant effort to streamline banking processes in recent times; they've got a fair amount of technology relating to scanning and transmitting financial documents, so as to preclude the need to send the physical document itself.

    Elections, despite the notoriety it has caused, is more or less a 'side' business for Diebold, which was probably the result of someone high-up watching the Gore VS Bush Florida recount debacle and saying to himself, "Now THAT [election devices] looks like a growth market right there..." As far as I know, the 'Diebold Election Systems' branch was simply bought and bolted on to the company.

  5. Re:Yeah but... by infonography · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Democrats used to be completely corrupt, racist, and complete liars. Look up Tammany hall Republicans used to be progressive eco-friendly and moral see Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt. Don't tie yourself to a party, they won't be who you knew when you were growing up. Consider Mark Foley, Tom DeLay, Trent Lott, Karl Rove, and Bill Frist. Do you really want leave these guys alone with your kids or even know where you live let alone running the country???? 30 years from now it will likely change. It's the way the world works.

    --
    Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23