32017M8650

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 20.10.2017

C(2017) 7181 final

PUBLIC VERSION

To the notifying party

Subject:Case M.8650 - LGP / CPA
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

Dear Sir or Madam,

1.On 27 September 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which a number of entities managed and controlled by Leonard Green & Partner, L.P. (‘LGP’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the undertaking CPA Global Group (‘CPA’, UK) by way of purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

-LGP is a private equity investment firm. LGP primarily focuses on companies providing services, including consumer, business, and healthcare services, as well as retail.

-CPA is active in the legal support services sector, more specifically in patent renewal and related services. As its core offering, CPA manages and undertakes on behalf of its clients the regular renewal of patents in relevant jurisdictions.

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(b) 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

Choose the experimental features you want to try