Brussels, 23/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 21 November, the European Commission cleared the planned acquisition of Ergom Holding S.p.A. by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A., both of Italy.
Ergom manufactures plastic systems and components for the automotive industry, while Fiat is mainly active in the manufacturing of cars, commercial vehicles and machines for agriculture and construction. The planned deal would be purely vertical as Fiat would acquire one of its suppliers of plastic components.
After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
The Commission's investigation showed that the vertical relations between the parties would not give rise to any particular competition concerns. The markets for plastic components where Ergom is active, for example bumpers, instrument panels and fuel systems, would remain competitive and customers would continue to have a number of significant alternative suppliers. The deal would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. (O.L.)