Stanley Works and Corporate Inversion

Authors: Moffett, M.; Davison, D.
Source: Thunderbird School of Global Management
Year: 2003
Company Name: Stanley Works
Number of pages: 15

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Abstract:

Stanley Works, a US based manufacturer of tools, hardware, and specialty hardware product for home, industrial, and professional use, announced in February 2002 that it intended to re-incorporate outside of the United States - corporate inversion - in order to reduce its total tax burden. The announcement led to a firestorm of debate in and out of the company, including accusations of unpatriotic behavior and tax avoidance. The case requires the reader to assess the arguments for corporate inversion by Stanley and determine whether they would support the inversion decision. This case introduces students to the current corporate inversion phenomenon - the change in country of incorporation of the parent company of a multinational group of companies, from the US to a tax haven country - and the extraordinary controversy surrounding these changes. The case draws into sharp contrast the conflict between economic patriotism and rational capitalism, and as such usually serves as the basis for a lively class discussion. In addition, the case serves to introduce key concepts of US international income tax law and the finance and business strategy considerations in the decision to invert.