17.2.2018   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/6


Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8814 — Melrose/GKN)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 62/04)

1.

On 9 February 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

Melrose Industries PLC (Melrose) (United Kingdom), a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange, is not controlled by any single shareholder or group of shareholders,

GKN plc (GKN) (United Kingdom), a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange is not controlled by any single shareholder or group of shareholders.

Melrose acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of GKN.

The concentration is accomplished by way of public bid announced on 17 January 2018.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Melrose: acquisition of high quality manufacturing business with exposure to strong end markets and provision of management services with the view of profiting from their eventual sale. Currently, Melrose has two operating businesses: (i) Brush Electrical Machines that provides products and services for the energy sector; and (ii) Nortek Inc. that manufactures air management products, heating and cooling systems, wireless security, home automation and personal safety systems.

—   for GKN: GKN is a global engineering group and its activities are focused on the automotive, aerospace, powder metallurgy systems and wheels and structures for off-highway vehicles.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8814 — Melrose/GKN

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË


(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.