Large companies purchasing smaller ones, why it's smart...

I immediately understood the logic that's being displayed by some of these larger conglomerates in this AP article. Rather than spend the dollars to create competition for an idea one of the larger ones believes has possibilities it is less expensive in the long run to buy that smaller company. It also lessens the risk because if it is a smaller niche market you are not competing with the smaller business...you own it. It's nice to see this type of business practice get some attention since the smaller businesses in most parts of the country are the ones demonstrating the largest growth.