32016M8114

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 18.8.2016

C(2016) 5429 final

To the notifying party

Dear Sirs,

Subject:Case M.8114 – COBEPA / JF HILLEBRAND GROUP
Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 1 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area 2

1.On 22 July 2016, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which the undertaking Cobepa SA (''Cobepa'', Belgium) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of JF Hillebrand AG (''JFH'', Germany), by way of purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

-for Cobepa: a privately-held investment company whose investment strategy is centred around two main types of investments: growth capital investments and buy-out transactions. Cobepa mainly seeks to pursue investment opportunities in Europe and North America.

-for JFH: the Group is composed of three specialised logistics companies: JF Hillebrand, a beverage logistics service provider; Satellite Logistics Group, a beer logistics service provider; and TransOcean, a bulk logistics service provider.

3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 4

4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

For the Commission

(Signed)
Johannes LAITENBERGER
Director-General

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