--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're not about liquidating companies…" description: "\"We're not about liquidating companies, but if you do that, why is that terrible? We're not blowing up the factories. The person who buys it should be a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/carl-icahn-17975_able_we-re-not-about-liquidating-companies-bu_999605.png" --- # We're not about liquidating companies, but if you do that… ![“We're not about liquidating companies, but if you do that, why is that terrible? We're not blowing up the factories. The person who buys it should be able to make the asset more productive.” quote by Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/carl-icahn-17975_able_we-re-not-about-liquidating-companies-bu_999605.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/carl-icahn-17975_able_we-re-not-about-liquidating-companies-bu_999605.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/carl-icahn-17975_able_we-re-not-about-liquidating-companies-bu_999605.png) > “We're not about liquidating companies, but if you do that, why is that terrible? We're not blowing up the factories. The person who buys it should be able to make the asset more productive.” [Carl Icahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-icahn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that liquidating a company is not inherently bad if the buyer can increase the asset’s productivity, emphasizing responsible stewardship over mere destruction. **In simple terms:** Selling a firm can be okay if the new owner improves it. Key Takeaway Focus on productive use of assets. Themes business investment productivity Mood analytical critical Type business economic When to use this quote - mergers and acquisitions - turnaround management - asset optimization - investment strategy Key Concepts capital allocation value creation Questions to Reflect On - How can buyers ensure they add value after acquisition? - What safeguards protect workers during asset transfers? A Different Perspective If the buyer fails to improve the asset, liquidation can still cause job loss and economic harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) ## Related quotes > [“Take what you get, and make the best of it. Make it an asset not a liability”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haven-angel/take-what-you-get-and-make-the-best-of-it-make-it-an-asset-not-a/) Haven Angel > [Consider every mistake you do make as an asset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-j-meyer/consider-every-mistake-you-do-make-as-an-asset/) [Paul J. 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