Huws Gray / Grafton

CMA invites comments on merger remedy in the supply of building materials:

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings proposed by Patagonia Bico Limited to address competition concerns over its acquisition of certain businesses owned by Grafton Group Plc.

On 29 November 2021, the CMA announced that it would refer the acquisition for an in-depth investigation unless Patagonia Bidco Limited offered acceptable undertakings to address the CMA's concerns.

To address the CMA's concerns, Patagonia Bidco Limited has offered to to divest one of the GBM branches owned by Grafton Group Plc., Buildbase Sudbury. The store is located at Milner Road, Chiltern Industrial Estate, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2XG.

On 8 December 2021, the CMA announced that it would look in detail at these undertakings. The CMA has until 10 February 2022 to consider whether to accept the undertakings, or a modified version of them. As part of this process, the CMA is now consulting publicly on whether the proposals are sufficient to address the CMA's competition concerns.

Before reaching a final decision, the CMA is therefore inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is 23 December 2021.

The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the case page at https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases.

In the event of media enquiries, please email Press@cma.gov.uk or call 02037386460.