Merger Update: Hanson Quarry / Mick George

Consultation on undertakings in lieu: Hanson / Mick George

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings in lieu of reference offered by the Parties to address competition concerns identified by the CMA over the anticipated acquisition of Mick George Limited (MGL) (the Merger).

On 24 November 2023, the CMA announced that it would refer the Merger for an in-depth, Phase 2 investigation unless the Parties offered acceptable undertakings in lieu to address the CMA's concerns.

To address the CMA's concerns, the Parties have offered to divest the following assets to PJ Thory Holdings Limited:

(a)     HM Earls Barton, postcode NN6 0PE;

(b)     MGL Ringstead, postcode NN14 4DT;

(c)     MGL Watlington, postcode PE33 0RG.

(d)     HM Northampton, postcode NN5 5AL;

(e)     HM Wellingborough, postcode NN8 4NL;

(f)      HM Market Harborough, postcode LE16 7QE;

(g)     HM Ely, postcode CB7 4DT; and

(h)     HM St Ives, postcode PE27 4LG.

The Parties have also offered to divest the following site to Brice Aggregates Limited:

(a)     HM Needingworth, postcode PE27 4TA.

On 8 December 2023 the CMA announced that it would look in detail at these offered undertakings in lieu. The CMA has until 5 April 2024 to consider whether to accept the undertakings in lieu, or a modified version of them. As part of this process, the CMA is now consulting publicly on whether the proposal is sufficient to address the competition concerns identified by the CMA.

Before reaching a final decision, the CMA is therefore inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is 29 March 2024.

The consultation on the offered undertakings in lieu and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the dedicated case page on the CMA's website at Hanson / Mick George merger inquiry - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

In the event of media enquiries please email press@cma.gov.uk.