Help & How-To

Business Operations
How can the owners merge three separate businesses in three different countries?
I work for a company that has branches in three separate countries, as three separate businesses. Each is owned and operated by the same people. The owners would like to merge these three entities to form one company. Is this possible, or do they need to form an entirely separate entity? What must they do to reach their goal?

Asked by amcbienvenu
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008  |  Found in Business Operations


More answers by Nina Kaufman
Answer by Nina Kaufman
You can merge three separate businesses from three different countries into one business . . . but whether you would really want to is another matter.

Depending on the size and industry of the businesses (as well as the country of the business you merge into), you may face a phalanx of local and international regulations and tax issues.

Similarly, selling the assets of the three businesses to the merged company could involve complications. To get to the heart of the matter, each business should speak to legal and tax counsel about the options, and then perhaps schedule a conference call for all participants to hash out the most cost-effective approach.
Nina Kaufman has a New York City-based boutique law practice and is president of Wise Counsel Press LLC, which produces legal information products for entrepreneurs. She writes the Making It Legal blog and the Business Law Advisor column for WomenEntrepreneur.com.

Note: This response is for your general information only. Be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your particular situation to get the advice you need.


Recent Articles & Resources
Insight from Business Experts
Turning Your Business Dreams Into Reality: Managing The Critic
Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a corporate executive, one of the things that can drive you absolutely nuts is trying to figure out how to silence the inner critic that rears its ugly head and stomps your business dreams into the ground whenever you try ...

The Art of Laying People Off
I hope that you never have to lay off or fire people, but the reality is that you will as you advance in your career. If you are scoffing (“Guy, you are clueless: We’ll never downsize, because we’re growing so fast, and I’ll never make a ...

Review of Guy Kawasaki’s “Reality Check”: Refreshingly Irreverent and Useful
"The Art of the Start" was my first introduction to Guy Kawasaki. I thought it was good. Reading his posts here on the OPEN Forum, was my second experience. I thought those were good too. Then following and being followed by Guy Kawasaki on Twitter piqued my ...

The Credit Crisis – what really matters?
Business experts Seth Godin and Tom Peters told us what they think business owners should really be concerned about amidst the economic headlines that are changing daily – and they don’t necessarily agree. Tom Peters offers this perspective: “When things are so off the charts (and) you’re dealing with an ...
Have a burning question? Ask now!

Meet the Experts