19.11.2014   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 412/3

1.

On 12 November 2014, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking 3i Group plc (United Kingdom) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Diamond Holding GmbH (Germany), the holding company of Christ Juweliere und Uhrmacher seit 1863 GmbH (Germany), by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for 3i Group plc: investments, investment management and management advice in private equity, infrastructure and debt management,

—   for Diamond Holding GmbH: holding company of Christ Juweliere und Uhrmacher seit 1863 GmbH (‘Christ’),

—   for Christ: jewellery and watches retailer active mainly in Germany.

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 this 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. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7445 — 3i Group plc/Christ Juweliere und Uhrmacher seit 1863 GmbH, to the following address: