Brussels, 14/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 February, the European Commission authorised the planned acquisition of SAG GmbH (Germany) by private equity fund EQT V Ltd of the Channel Islands.
SAG is active in energy-related products and services to the utility and industry sector, including the provision of services related to the cable network to cable companies. One of EQT's portfolio companies is Kabel BW, a German cable network operator, mainly active in Baden-Württemberg. The Commission says that the planned deal would give rise to a vertical overlap between SAG and Kabel BW, as the latter is a customer of SAG for cable related works services, information technology grid management and geographic information services. However, the change brought about by the proposed transaction would be limited and would not give rise to any particular competition concerns. Cable operators only represent a small part of SAG customers and customers would continue to have several alternative suppliers, explains the Commission, therefore concluding that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. (O.L.)