Brussels, 04/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised an operation in the contract logistics sector, whereby Ocean Group Plc, active in freight forwarding and logistics services, merges with Exel Plc, also specialised in logistics services and the supply chain. The venture resulting from the operation will be number one in the contract logistics sector, an area of steady growth across Europe as companies increasingly opt to outsource the management of the flow of goods as part of a trend to concentrate on core activities.
The competitors and customers consulted by the Commission did not express any concerns about the merger, which the Commission decided not to oppose. The new undertaking will not occupy a dominant position and the only countries within the EEA where the parties' market share in the logistics sector will exceed 15% are Ireland and the United Kingdom. Even in these countries, however, according to the Commission's market analysis, the combined market share will not exceed 25%.