Competition Commission to investigate completed Breedon acquisition
Office of Fair Trading refers acquisition of certain assets of Aggregate Industries to Competition Commission
THE Competition Commission (CC) has announced that it is to investigate the completed acquisition by Breedon Aggregates Ltd of certain assets of Aggregates Industries UK Ltd.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred the case to the Commission, which will decide whether the acquisition may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market or markets served by the assets in question.
In April this year, Breedon acquired 11 aggregates quarries (six of which are active), four asphalt plants (including associated contracting services), seven ready-mix concrete plants (and two mothballed plants), and two concrete block factories in the Grampian, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and Hebrides regions of Scotland.
The OFT says it has found that the merger raises a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of primary aggregates, asphalt, and ready-mix concrete in a number of local areas in the north of Scotland.
The Competition Commission would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by no later than 15 October 2013, and expects to publish its final report by 10 March 2014.
To submit evidence, email: [email protected]; or write to: Inquiry Manager, Breedon/Aggregates merger, Competition Commission, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AD.
