The quote reflects a sentiment about changes in business practices over time. Jon Huntsman, Sr., laments how corporate acquisitions have evolved from personal relationships built on trust and mutual care for employees to purely transactional deals based on financial bids without personal connection or concern for people involved.
On a deeper level, the statement highlights broader shifts in economic and social values. It suggests that while market forces drive efficiency and growth, they can also strip away the human elements that once characterized business dealings. The shift from personal relationships to impersonal bidding processes underscores a change in how value is perceived and assigned—no longer just financial but also relational and ethical. Huntsman's nostalgia for an earlier era hints at a critique of modern corporate practices, which prioritize profit over people.
Jon Huntsman, Sr., is a well-known American businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Huntsman Corporation, a multinational chemical company that became one of the largest privately held corporations in the United States. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to ethical business practices, he has also been involved in politics and diplomacy, advocating for international cooperation and goodwill.
