32004M3345

Commission Decision of 23/01/2004 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No IV/M.3345 - PLATINUM / HAYS LOGISTICS) according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 (Only the English text is authentic)

To the Notifying Parties

Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s),

Subject: Case No. COMP/M.3345 - Platinum Equity/Hays Logistics Notification of 12.12.2003 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 [1], as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1310/97 [2] Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No. C 311, 20.12.2003.

[1] OJ L 395, 30.12.1989 p. 1; corrigendum: OJ L 257, 21.9.1990, p. 13.

[2] OJ L 180, 9. 7. 1997, p. 1; corrigendum OJ L 40, 13.2.1998, p. 17.

1. On 12/12/2003, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89, by which the US undertaking Platinum Equity, LLP ("Platinum") acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation sole control of the British undertaking Hays Logistics ("Hays Logistics"), currently part of the Hays plc. group, by way of purchase of shares and assets.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

- for Platinum: global organisation specialising in the acquisition and strategic management of companies worldwide

- for Hays Logistics: logistics services in Europe

- JVs: development, production, marketing, distribution and sale of portable oral care products in the UK, Canada and Ireland.

3. After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 and of paragraph 4, subparagraph c, of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89.

4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89.

For the Commission

(Singed)

Mario MONTI Member of the Commission