Heineken / Diageo Assets merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the partially completed acquisition by Heineken N.V. of some assets associated with Diageo plc’s beer business, including the manufacturing and distribution of the Red Stripe, Dragon Stout and D&G Malta brands in the UK.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 9 November 2015
• Last updated: 27 January 2016 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Food manufacturing
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 9 November 2015
• Closed: 27 January 2016

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
27 January 2016	Decision published
18 December 2015	Decision announced
7 December 2015	Revocation of the initial enforcement order
20 November 2015	Launch of merger inquiry
19 November to 2 December 2015	Invitation to comment
6 November 2015	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

18 December 2015: The CMA has cleared the acquisition by Heineken N.V. of some assets associated with Diageo plc’s beer business, including the manufacturing and distribution of the Red Stripe, Dragon Stout and D&G Malta brands in the UK. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (27.1.16)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

7 December 2015: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA revoked the initial enforcement order. A copy of the order is available below.

• Revocation order (7.12.15)

Launch of merger inquiry

20 November 2015: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (20.11.15)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

19 November 2015: 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.

Initial enforcement order

On 6 November 2015, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Heineken N.V. and Heineken UK Limited in relation to the completed acquisition by Heineken N.V. of Desnoes & Geddes Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (9.11.15)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 6 November 2015 (9.11.15)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to:

Maria Duarte
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

maria.duarte@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 9 November 2015
Last updated 27 January 2016 + show all updates

1. 27 January 2016

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 9 November 2015

   First published.