Stryker / Wright Medical merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by Stryker Corporation of Wright Medical Group N.V.

Statutory timetable

Date Action
4 November 2020 Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
30 June 2020 Decision announced
19 May 2020 Launch of merger inquiry
19 May 2020 Initial enforcement order
21 April to 5 May 2020 Invitation to comment

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

4 Nov 2020: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by Stryker Corporation of Wright Medical Group N.V.

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation

2 September 2020: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by Stryker Corporation of Wright Medical Group N.V.

Extension of consideration of undertakings in lieu

21 August 2020: The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu until 4 November 2020.

CMA to consider undertakings offered

14 July 2020: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Stryker, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Reference unless undertakings accepted

30 June 2020: 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.

Initial enforcement order

On 19 May 2020, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Stryker Corporation, Stryker UK Limited and Wright Medical Group N.V. in relation to the anticipated acquisition by Stryker Corporation of Wright Medical Group N.V.

Amendments / consents granted:

Launch of merger inquiry

19 May 2020: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Invitation to comment: now closed

21 April 2020: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result 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 may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to: general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Published 21 April 2020
Last updated 11 November 2020 + show all updates
  1. Decision and final undertakings text published.

  2. The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by Stryker Corporation of Wright Medical Group N.V.

  3. Derogation published.

  4. Notice of consultation and proposed undertakings published.

  5. The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu until 4 November 2020.

  6. Full texts published of the phase 1 decision and the decision that undertakings might be accepted.

  7. Decision to consider undertakings by Stryker published.

  8. Summary of phase 1 decision published.

  9. Initial enforcement order published.

  10. Launch of merger inquiry and commencement notice published.

  11. First published.