Information Resources Inc. / Aztec Group merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Information Resources Inc. of Aztec Group.

Timetable

Phase 1 date Action
19 December 2014 Decision published
20 October 2014 Decision announced
26 August to 5 September 2014 Invitation to comment
1 August 2014 Initial enforcement order
1 August 2014 Directions: appointment of a monitoring trustee

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

20 October 2014: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Information Resources Inc. of Aztec Group. The full text of the decision is available below:

Invitation to comment: Now closed

26 August 2014: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Directions: appointment of monitoring trustee

1 August 2014: The CMA directed Information Resources Inc. and Information Resources (UK) Limited, pursuant to the initial enforcement order dated 1 August 2014, to appoint a monitoring trustee. A copy of the Directions letter dated 1 August can be found below:

Initial enforcement order

1 August 2014: An initial enforcement order order under Section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 was put in place against Information Resources Inc., Information Resources (UK) Limited, and Aztec Information Services Holdings Limited by the CMA. A copy of the order can be found below:

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Clementine Messent
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

Clementine.messent@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 19 December 2014