Changing ownership means two things, 1. The company was making good, an entrepreneur or company bought it outright, lock,stock and barrel. Previous owners were given an offer they find hard to resist.
2. Company is doing not so well as previously anticipated and had sold it less than they can bargain for. Meaning they have to cut losses early as their capitalization is quite low thus to avoid further losses or increase their capital, they had no choice but to have it on the auction block.
In the case of number 1 above, a smooth transition can be effected and still have the company running and going without any lull at any point but just to give affiliates and members an announcement/notice that the company was sold. And they look forward to better times.