Founded in 1826, Pilkington has survived the best part of 2 centuries as a glass manufacturer. Floated in London in 1970, it has survived 35 years as a lsited company. Perhaps most challengingly of all, however, it has pulled through the past 8 years despite being battered by harsh trading conditions & financial pressures. It plodded through the past few years notably & creditably with its divident intact. If the gossips are to be beleived, however, Pilkington will not survive much longer as an independent company. The firm is a perennial target of bid speculation but the 25% share price rise over the past 3 months & the 64% increase over the past year suggest there may be more to the bid talk than mere speculation. Nippon Sheet Glass of Japan has a 20% stake in Pilkington, which adds grist to the mill but it is no foregone conclusion that Nippon will bid.
