Finance: DEALS

TABLE: Gains from Bulking Up

INDUSTRY KEY BENEFIT OF CONSOLIDATION

ANTENNA TOWERS Frees up capital and management time for wireless

communications operators

FUNERAL HOMES Yields greater discounts on coffins, supplies, and

equipment

HEALTH CLUBS Spreads regional marketing and advertising costs over more

facilities

LANDFILL SITES Lets operators cope with the new environmental and

regulatory demands

PHYSICIAN GROUP Reduces overhead and costs of medical procedures

PRACTICES

DATA: BUSINESS WEEK