<P> The firms' initial international expansion was driven by the needs of British and U.S. - based multinationals for worldwide service . They expanded by forming local partnerships or by forming alliances with local firms . </P> <P> Arthur Andersen had a different history . The firm originated in the United States, and expanded internationally by establishing its own offices in other markets, including the United Kingdom . </P> <P> In the 1980s the Big 8, each now with global branding, adopted modern marketing and grew rapidly . They merged with many smaller firms . One of the largest of these mergers was in 1987, when Peat Marwick merged with the Klynveld Main Goerdeler (KMG) group to become KPMG Peat Marwick, later known simply as KPMG . </P> <P> Competition among these firms intensified and the Big 8 became the Big Six in 1989 when Ernst & Whinney merged with Arthur Young to form Ernst & Young in June, and Deloitte, Haskins & Sells merged with Touche Ross to form Deloitte & Touche in August . </P>

What happened to the big 8 accounting firms
find me the text answering this question