Decision Nº M/04/021 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2004-06-16

JurisdictionIreland
PartiesInVision,GE
Submitted Date14 April 2004
Date16 June 2004
Decision NumberM/04/021
StatusPreliminary investigation (Phase 1)
CourtCompetition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
Decision Date16 June 2004
1
Determination No. M/04/021 of the Competition Authority, dated 16th June 2004,
Notification No. M/04/021 – Proposed acquisition by General Electric Company
of InVision Technologies Inc.
Introduction
1. On 14th April 2004 the Competition Authority, in accordance with Section 18 (1)
of the Competition Act, 2002 (“the Act”) was notified, on a mandatory basis, of a
proposal whereby General Electric Company (GE) would acquire InVision
Technologies Inc (InVision). On 13th May 2004, the Authority requested
information within the meaning of section 20(2) of the Act, which information
was furnished on 20th May.
The Parties
2. GE is a global diversified technology and services company incorporated in the
US. Its many divisions include GE Ion Track which is active in the infrastructure
security sector by supplying products that can be used for explosives detection.
GE Ion Track’s products, which are also referred to as “trace detection products”,
utilise technology capable of detecting minute particles or vapour emitted from
explosives and/or narcotics. GE’s trace detection products are low cost and not
fully automated. Through GE Ion Track, it had a small number of sales of trace
detection products into Ireland under €[0-500,000].
3. Through its acquisition of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. in 2003, GE is active in non-
destructive testing equipment (NDT), which allows for the technical examination
of various characteristics in materials and components without destroying the
piece being tested. GE’s NDT products include products based on X-ray
technology, but it has had no sales of NDT X-ray products into Ireland in 2003 or
in the previous three years.
4. InVision is a public company also incorporated in the United States. It is also
active in the infrastructure security sector, selling explosive detection systems to
be placed at airports. InVision’s explosives detection systems are non-invasive
large automated systems that are used to screen checked-in passenger baggage in
airports. InVision has had no sales of explosive detection products into Ireland
for the past three years.
5. InVision, through its subsidiary Yxlon is active in NDT equipment based on X-
ray and CT technologies. InVision has a small number of NDT sales into Ireland
under €[0-500,000].

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