02/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Altor-Tryghedsgruppen/Elixia-HFN. On Monday 2 December, the European Commission authorised the joint acquisition of Elixia Group (Norway) and Health&Fitness Nordic (HFN, Sweden), which operate gyms in Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark (HFN), by the investment funds Altor Fund (Jersey, United Kingdom) and Tryghedsgruppen (Denmark). At the request of the parties, the Commission allowed the competition authorities of Norway and Finland to examine the merger in these two countries and concluded that the rest of the transaction would not bring about any competition problems in Denmark or Sweden, notwithstanding the overlap of activities between Elixia and HFN in the latter country. The operation, which was notified on 28 October, was examined under the normal merger control procedure. (FG/transl.fl)