Hanson / Mick George merger inquiry

The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Hanson Quarry Products Europe Limited of Mick George Limited.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
3 August 2023
Last updated
28 May 2024 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Building and construction
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
Opened:
3 August 2023
Closed:
28 May 2024

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 Action
5 April 2024 Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
15 March 2024 Consultation on proposed undertakings in lieu of reference
10 January 2024 Extension of consideration of undertakings
8 December 2023 CMA to consider undertakings offered
24 November 2023 Phase 1 decision announced
27 November 2023 Deadline for phase 1 decision
19 September 2023 Launch of merger inquiry
3 August 2023 to 17 August 2023 Invitation to comment

Phase 1

Case closure

28 May 2024: The sale of the Divestment Sites pursuant to the undertakings in lieu of reference completed on 3 May 2024. This brings the merger investigation to a close.

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

5 April 2024: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by Hanson of Mick George.

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation

15 March 2024: The CMA is consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference to a Phase 2 investigation offered by the Parties.

Extension of consideration of undertakings in lieu

10 January 2024: The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu of reference until 5 April 2024.

CMA to consider undertakings offered

8 December 2023: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by the Parties, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Reference unless undertakings accepted

24 November 2023: 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.

Statutory timetable restarted

6 November 2023: The CMA has decided to cancel the extension in accordance with section 34ZB(7)(b) of the Enterprise Act 2002.

Statutory timetable suspended

24 October 2023: The statutory timetable was suspended on 24 October 2023 when Mick George Limited (MGL) failed to provide information and documents required by the CMA in a Notice under section 109 of the Enterprise Act 2002 by the deadline.

Launch of merger inquiry

19 September 2023: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Invitation to comment: closed

3 August 2023: 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.

Updates to this page

Published 3 August 2023
Last updated 28 May 2024 + show all updates

  1. Case closed.

  2. Full text decision for Undertakings in lieu of reference published.

  3. Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

  4. Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation

  5. Reference unless undertakings accepted full text and Decision that undertakings might be accepted published.

  6. Notice of extension published

  7. Summary of Phase 1 decision published.

  8. Statutory timetable restarted

  9. Notice of extension published

  10. Commencement notice published.

  11. First published.

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