MRH (GB) / Esso Petroleum Company merger inquiry
The CMA investigated the acquisition by MRH (GB) Limited of 78 petrol stations from Esso Petroleum Company Limited.
Statutory timetable
| Phase 1 date | Action |
|---|---|
| 19 January 2015 | Undertakings in lieu accepted |
| 23 December 2015 | Decision published |
| 26 November 2015 | Decision announced |
| 9 to 23 October 2015 | Invitation to comment |
| 9 October 2015 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 10 September 2015 | Initial enforcement order |
Phase 1
Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
19 January 2016: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the acquisition by MRH (GB) Limited of 78 petrol stations from Esso Petroleum Company Limited. A copy of the undertakings and the decision are available below.
- (4.2.16)
- (19.1.16)
- News story: CMA accepts MRH (GB) Limited undertakings (19.1.16)
Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: now closed
23 December 2015: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the acquisition by MRH (GB) Limited of 78 petrol stations from Esso Petroleum Company Limited.
- (23.12.15)
- (23.12.15)
- News story: CMA invites comments on petrol station merger undertakings (23.12.15)
CMA to consider undertakings offered
10 December 2015: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by MRH, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002. A copy of the notice is available below.
- (14.12.15)
- News story: CMA to look in detail at MRH undertakings offer (10.12.15)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
26 November 2015: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger, if carried into effect, 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 MRH offers acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision is available below.
- (23.12.15)
- Press release: Petrol station merger has chance to avoid in-depth investigation (26.11.15)
Invitation to comment: Now closed
9 October 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.
Launch of CMA merger inquiry
9 October 2015: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (9.10.15)
Initial enforcement order
10 September 2015: The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on MRH (GB) Limited, Malthurst South East Limited and Malthurst Anglia Limited in relation to the acquisition of 78 petrol stations from Esso Petroleum Company Limited.
- (15.9.15)
Amendments/consents granted:
- (14.12.15)
- (1.12.15)
- (1.12.15)
- (24.11.15)
- (26.10.15)
- (12.10.15)
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:
Reena Ravinder Matharoo
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD