31.   Only two and half years ago, Pate approached Jack Messman, president and chief executive of Union Pacific Resources, to discuss whether the two companies should combine.

32.   Pfizer has offered to pay him as a consultant for his advice after the companies combine their operations, which is expected sometime this summer.

33.   Previously, the two companies combined operated six divisions and two business units.

34.   So while there may be substantial savings when the two companies combine, it is not at all clear to him how fast the combined company can grow.

35.   The acquisition spurred hopes that more financial companies will combine as a way to cut costs and boost profits.

36.   The buyout would allow the company to combine Rorer with its vaccine business.

37.   The case is neither a traditional price-fixing allegation nor a charge that the company combined with suppliers or other retailers to keep potential competitors from entering a business.

38.   The company will combine the business with its own powder metal businesses in the U.K. and Italy.

39.   The company eventually combined with Howard Stores.

40.   The company combined its consumer and corporate PC business earlier this year as a way to cut those overlaps.