The board of Gillette Co. amended the...

The board of Gillette Co. amended the firm’s corporate bylaws before last week’s annual shareholders meeting to prevent a small group of directors from controlling the company. The action was aimed at limiting the power of candidates backed by Coniston Group in the event they succeed in gaining seats on the personal care giant’s board, the company said. New York-based Coniston has been trying for three months to get control of Boston-based Gillette with the intention of selling the $3.2 billion company to the highest bidder. Coniston nominated four candidates to Gillette’s 12-member board. Gillette said the count would not be completed before May 2.