John Wood Group / Amec Foster Wheeler merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition by John Wood Group plc of Amec Foster Wheeler plc.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 11 May 2017
• Last updated: 14 September 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Engineering
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu
• Opened: 11 May 2017
• Closed: 14 September 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
12 September 2017	Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
15 August 2017	Decision published
2 August 2017	Decision announced
12 June 2017	Launch of merger inquiry
11 to 25 May 2017	Invitation to comment

Phase 1

Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted

12 September 2017: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated acquisition by John Wood Group plc of Amec Foster Wheeler plc. A copy of the undertakings and the decision are available below.

• UIL acceptance decision (14.9.17)
• Final undertakings (12.9.17)
• Press release: CMA accepts Wood Amec remedy proposals (12.9.17)

Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: Now closed

18 August 2017: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu (UILs) of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by John Wood Group plc of Amec Foster Wheeler plc.

• Notice of consultation (18.8.17)
• Proposed undertakings (18.8.17)

CMA to consider undertakings offered

15 August 2017: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by John Wood Group plc and Amec Foster Wheeler plc, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. A copy of the decision is available below.

• Decision that undertakings might be accepted (16.8.17)
• Press release: CMA considering oil and gas engineering services merger remedy (15.8.17)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

2 August 2017: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger 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. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (15.8.17)
• Press release: Competition concerns for oil and gas engineering services merger (2.8.17)

Launch of merger inquiry

12 June 2017: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (12.6.17)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

11 May 2017: 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.

Contact

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

Karina Kucaidze
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

karina.kucaidze@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 11 May 2017
Last updated 14 September 2017 + show all updates

1. 14 September 2017

   Undertakings in lieu acceptance decision published.

2. 12 September 2017

   Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted.

3. 18 August 2017

   Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation launched.

4. 16 August 2017

   Decision that undertakings might be accepted published.

5. 15 August 2017

   CMA to consider undertakings announcement added and full text decision published.

6. 2 August 2017

   Decision announced: reference unless undertakings accepted.

7. 12 June 2017

   Launch of CMA merger inquiry.

8. 11 May 2017

   First published.