Construction materials merger issues statement
Competition Commission identifies key questions in Breedon–Aggregates Industries inquiry
THE Competition Commission (CC) has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into the completed acquisition by Breedon Aggregates Ltd of certain assets of Aggregate Industries UK Ltd.
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.
According to the Office of Fair Trading, which referred the case to the CC in September, this has raised the prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of primary aggregates, asphalt, and ready-mixed concrete in a number of local areas in the north of Scotland.
The issues statement, which is available on the inquiry home page along with all other information relating to the investigation, identifies the key questions which the inquiry is examining. It does not imply that the Inquiry Group has yet identified any competition concerns.
Interested parties are invited to respond to the issues statement, in writing, by no later than 5 November 2013. To submit evidence, email: Breedon-AI@cc.gsi.gov.uk; or write to: Inquiry Manager, Breedon/Aggregates merger inquiry, Competition Commission, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AD.
The CC is expected to publish its final report on the situation by 10 March 2014.
