Rentokil Initial / Cannon Hygiene merger inquiry
The CMA is investigating the completed acquisition by Rentokil Initial plc of Cannon Hygiene Limited.
Phase 2
Administrative timetable
Date of referral: 28.6.18
Statutory deadline: 6.2.19
- (10.12.18)
Contact
Case closure summary
11 October 2019: The purchase of the Divestment Package by Citron Hygiene UK was approved by the CMA and completed on 1 October 2019. This brings the merger investigation to a close.
- (11.10.19)
Remedy group appointed
17 April 2019: The CMA appointed the following panel group members to the Rentokil remedy group.
Gareth Davies, Susan Hankey (Chair) and Jeremy Newman
Final undertakings
17 May 2019: It has been brought to the CMA’s attention that during the process of publication, footnote 1 to paragraph 2.4.8 of Annex 3 was accidentally not included on the copy of the Undertakings published to the case page on 16 April 2019.
The CMA can confirm that the footnote was included in the undertakings signed by the parties and accepted by the CMA. The correct version of the Undertakings has now been uploaded to the case page.
16 April 2019: The CMA has accepted final undertakings and the reference has now been fully determined.
- (16.4.19)
- (16.4.19)
Amendments/consents granted:
- (19.9.19)
- (30.8.19)
- (19.8.19)
- (9.7.19)
- (21.5.19)
Notice of proposal to accept final undertakings
15 March 2019: The CMA gives notice of the proposal to accept final undertakings and is inviting comments by 5pm on 2 April 2019.
- (18.3.19)
- (18.3.19).
Final report
- (25.1.19)
- (25.1.19)
- (25.1.19)
- Press release: CMA orders sale of customer contracts in washroom suppliers’ merger (25.1.19)
Notice of extension of statutory period
- (10.12.18)
Provisional findings
18 October 2018: The CMA has provisionally found that Rentokil Initial’s purchase of Cannon Hygiene could lead to higher prices or lower quality for some customers.
- (18.10.18)
- (18.10.18)
- (18.10.18)
- (18.10.18)
- (18.10.18)
- News story: Competition concerns over washroom suppliers’ merger (18.10.18)
Evidence
The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages 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.
Response to the provisional findings and the remedies notice
- (20.11.18)
- (20.11.18)
Customer research
- (18.10.18)
Hearing summary
- (21.9.18)
Response to the issues statement
- (31.8.18)
Response to the phase 1 decision
- (30.7.18)
Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee
26 July 2018: On 10 July 2018, pursuant to an interim order dated 5 July 2018, the CMA directed Rentokil Initial Plc to appoint a monitoring trustee.
- (26.7.18)
Issues statement
16 July 2018: 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.
- (16.7.18)
Interim order
10 July 2018: For the purpose of preventing pre-emptive action in accordance with section 81 of the Act, the CMA makes the following (‘Order’). On 26 February 2018 the CMA granted a derogation exempting Rentokil Initial International, a subsidiary of Rentokil from the IEO (the ‘February derogation’). The February derogation continues to apply.
- (10.7.18)
- (10.7.18)
Inquiry group appointed
29 June 2018: The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 28 June 2018.
Anne Lambert (Inquiry Chair), Gareth Davies, Susan Hankey and Jeremy Newman
Terms of reference
28 June 2018: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Rentokil Initial plc of Cannon Hygiene Limited for an in-depth investigation.
- (28.6.18)
Phase 1
Statutory timetable
| Phase 1 Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 18 June 2018 | Decision announced |
| 19 April 2018 to 3 May 2018 | Invitation to comment |
| 19 April 2018 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 5 February 2018 | Initial enforcement order |
Reference decision
28 June 2018: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Rentokil Initial plc of Cannon Hygiene Limited for an in-depth investigation.
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(28.6.18)
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News story: Washroom suppliers’ merger faces in-depth investigation (28.6.18)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
18 June 2018: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.
- (16.7.18)
- News story: Washroom suppliers’ merger may raise competition concerns (18.6.18)
Invitation to comment: now closed
19 April 2018: 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.
Launch of merger inquiry
19 April 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (19.4.18)
Initial enforcement order
On 31 January 2018 the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Rentokil Initial plc, in relation to the completed acquisition by Rentokil Initial plc of Cannon Hygiene Limited.
- (5.2.18)
Amendments/consents granted:
- (27.2.19)
- (11.2.19)
- (30.10.18)
- (18.9.18)
- (20.8.18)
- (2.8.18)
- (2.3.18)
Last updated 11 October 2019 + show all updates
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Case closure summary published.
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It has been brought to the CMA's attention that during the process of publication, footnote 1 to paragraph 2.4.8 of Annex 3 was accidentally not included on the copy of the Undertakings published to the case page on 16 April 2019. The CMA can confirm that the footnote was included in the undertakings signed by the parties and accepted by the CMA. The correct version of the Undertakings has now been uploaded to the case page.
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The page has been updated with the notice to accept undertakings and the final undertakings.
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Notice of the proposal to accept final undertakings and invitation to comment published.
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Notice of extension of statutory period
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Responses to the provisional findings and remedies notice published.
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Derogation published.
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Customer research published.
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Provisional findings, summary of provisional findings, notice of provisional findings, remedies notice, and appendices published.
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Hearing summary published.
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Derogation notice published.
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Response to the issues statement published.
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Derogation published.
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Derogation published.
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Response to phase 1 decision published.
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Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee published.
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Full text of the decision and issues statement published.
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Interim order and notice of making interim order published.
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Full administrative timetable published.
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Details of inquiry group published.
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Terms of reference and decision to refer published.
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Reference decision announced.
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Phase 1 decision announced.
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Invitation to comment issued and Commencement of initial period notice published.
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Derogation published.
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First published.