Pork Farms Caspian / Kerry Foods merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Pork Farms Caspian Limited of the chilled savoury pastry business of Kerry Foods Limited.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
3 June 2015
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Food manufacturing
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 2 clearance
Opened:
21 August 2014
Closed:
3 June 2015

Administrative timetable

Phase 2 date Action
21 June 2015 Statutory deadline
Mid-June 2015 Publish final report
Late May 2015 Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions
Early May 2015 Consider possible remedies and response hearing(s) (if required)
21 April 2015 Provisional findings published
Early April 2015 Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions required before provisional findings
March/April 2015 Main party hearing, verify information, consider provisional findings
Mid-February 2015 Publish statement of issues
January/February 2015 Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear third parties
5 January 2015 Merger reference made

Phase 2

Final report

Provisional findings

21 April 2014: The CMA has provisionally cleared the completed acquisition by Pork Farms Caspian Limited, a subsidiary of Pork Farms Group Limited, of the chilled savoury pastry business of Kerry Foods Limited.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s web pages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Hearing summaries

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.

Initial submissions

The CMA’s merger inquiry is independent and welcomes submissions from all interested parties.

Issues statement

6 February 2015: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Inquiry group appointed

7 January 2015: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.

John Wotton (Chair), Robin Aaronson, John Krumins, and Anne Lambert.

Terms of reference

5 January 2015: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Pork Farms Caspian Limited of the chilled savoury pastry business of Kerry Foods Limited for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 date Action
6 February 2015 Decision published
17 December 2014 Decision announced
22 October to 5 November 2014 Invitation to comment
22 October 2014 Launch of merger inquiry
21 August 2014 Interim enforcement order made

Reference decision

News story: CMA confirms pork pies merger referral (5.1.15)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

Launch of CMA merger inquiry

22 October 2014: The CMA launched its merger inquiry following receipt of a satisfactory notification.

Initial enforcement order

Amendments/consents granted:

Published 3 June 2015
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