SMF

This is interesting: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/poli ... ompetition

The FTC's decision was unanimous (bipartisan), which is refreshing to see in these polarized times.

Looks like the two gents that started the company were getting ready to become filthy rich! Oh well, they'll be alright.

You gotta wonder though. Was their intention to make more sales with the Harry's operation, or to "catch and kill"?

Since Edgewell owns Schick, Wilkinson, and Personna, and sells things under all those brands, my guess is that they wanted even further diversification to grab more market share.

Gillette would be more likely to buy them to kill them, though maybe making use of Harry's German factory acquisition.

But if the FTC stopped Edgewell, Gillette would be an even less likely buyer.

Maybe Harry's will have to stay as an independent operating company, rather than being started for the purpose of selling their company and making a ton of money. "What? We have to keep doing this?"

Maybe Harry's should buy Edgewell! Not spoken completely in jest, because it sounds like the entrepreneurs are much more dedicated to business than they are to shaving.

Harry's is a me-too company, hoping to follow the trajectory of Dollar Shave Club, which was bought by one of the giants. Maybe the FTC was asleep at the time, but it allowed a successful minor player to be bought by a giant. Now it says the next successful minor player cannot be bought by the other giant. Either the FTC just woke up, or they are biased towards the first giant.

If I were allowed to shave I'd refuse to buy any of that nonsense. Hone a blade older than my grandfather and shave well with it. That's a motto that would suit me. In the interim, I have a rather nice beard, and I hope to get rid of it if I can in six months or so. I'm banned from using sharp implements, and said ban will stay in place until I emerge from the BMT. It will feel rather nice to have that first shave with a well softened beard and some good soap...

first shave with a well softened beard and some good soap...

Have you picked which soap will get the honours???

clive