Flogas / Countrywide LPG merger inquiry

The CMA is investigating the completed acquisition by Flogas Consumer Limited of the LPG supply business of Countrywide Farmers plc.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 5 March 2018
• Last updated: 30 July 2018 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Oil and gas refining and petrochemicals
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 5 March 2018
• Closed: 30 July 2018

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 Date	Action
30 July 2018	Decision published
9 July 2018	Decision announced
30 April 2018 to 14 May 2018	Invitation to comment
30 April 2018	Launch of merger inquiry
5 March 2018	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

9 July 2018: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Flogas Consumer Limited of the LPG supply business of Countrywide Farmers plc.

• Full text decision (30.7.18)

Invitation to comment: closes 14 May 2018

30 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

30 April 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Notice of termination of extension (7.6.18)
• Notice of extension (24.5.18)
• Initial notice period (30.4.18)

Initial enforcement order

On 1 March 2018 the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on DCC plc and DCC Limited in relation to the completed acquisition by Flogas Consumer Limited of the LPG supply business of Countrywide Farmers plc.

• Initial enforcement order (5.3.18)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 20 March 2018 (21.3.18)
• Derogation 13 March 2018 (16.3.18)
• Derogation 8 March 2018 (9.3.18)

Contact

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

mergersupportteam@cma.gov.uk

Published 5 March 2018
Last updated 30 July 2018 + show all updates

1. 30 July 2018

   Full text decision published.

2. 9 July 2018

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 7 June 2018

   Notice of termination of extension published.

4. 24 May 2018

   Notice of extension published.

5. 30 April 2018

   Invitation to comment issued and Commencement of initial period notice published.

6. 21 March 2018

   Derogation published.

7. 16 March 2018

   Derogation published.

8. 9 March 2018

   Derogation published.

9. 5 March 2018

   First published.