Decision Nº M/07/055 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2007-10-17

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Bunzl plc,DG Distributors and Vendors Limited
• Date: 17 October 2007
• Decision Date: 17 October 2007
• Status: Cleared (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Number: M/07/055

Merger Notification M/07/055 – Bunzl/DGD

1

DETERMINATION OF MERGER NOTIFICATION M/07/055 –

BUNZL/DGD

Section 21 of the Competition Act 2002

Proposed acquisition by Bunzl plc of DG Distributors and Vendors

Limited

Dated 17/10/07

Introduction

1. On 19 September 20 07 the Competition Authority (“the Authority” ), in

accordance with section 18(1)of the Competition Act, 2002 (“ the Act”)

was notified, on a man datory basis, of a proposal whereby Bunzl plc

(“Bunzl”) through a wholly owned subsidiary Selectuser Limited

(“Selectuser”) would acquire the entire issued share capital of DG

Distributors and Vendors Limited (“DGD”).

The Undertakings Involved

2. Bunzl, the acquirer, is a plc incorporated in England and Wales. Bunzl

is active in the away-from-home (“AFH”) and the food-away-from-

home (“FAFH”) sectors on the island of Ireland through 3 businesses:

i. Bunzl O’Mahony Packaging & Retai l Supplies – based in

County Cork this company is active in the wholesale

distribution of packaging items f or the reta il and quick

service restaurant (“QSR”) sectors;

ii. Bunzl Cleaning and Safety Supplies (Ireland) – based in

Counties Dublin and Cork this company is a ctive in the

distribution of cleaning products and supplies, and personal

protection equipment/safety items; and,

iii. Bunzl McLaughlin – based in County Armagh this company

supplies c atering equipment and disposable products to the

hospitality sector.

3. In the year t o 31 December 2006 Bunzl generated turnover of

STG£3,333.2 million, of which €[..] was generated though its activities

on the island of Ireland.

4. DGD, the t arget, is a holding company incorporated in the State. DGD

has two direct subsidiaries (Romenya Limited (“Romenya”) and Irish

Merchants NI Limited (“Irish Merchants NI”)) which are active in the

distribution of products in the non-food away-from -home (“AFH”)

sector on the island of Ireland as follows:

i. Romenya Limited has two further subsidia ries:

1. Irish Merchants Limited (“Irish Merchants”)

distributes a range of products including food

packaging, beverage systems, hygiene, safety and

cleaning products , tabletop p roducts/catering