Sonoco Products Company / Weidenhammer Packaging Group merger inquiry
The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company of Weidenhammer Packaging Group GmbH.
Administrative timetable
- Published on 12 February 2015, as required by Rule 7 of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Rules of Procedure for Merger, Market and Special Reference Groups. Any revisions made to the timetable will be published on this website.
| Phase 2 date | Action |
|---|---|
| 13 July 2015 | Statutory deadline |
| Early July 2015 | Publish final report |
| Late-June 2015 | Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions |
| June 2015 | Consider possible remedies and response hearing(s) (if required) |
| Late May 2015 | Notifying provisional findings and possible remedies (if required) |
| Mid-April 2015 | Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions required before provisional findings |
| Late March to April 2015 | Main party hearing, verify information, consider provisional findings |
| Late February to early March 2015 | Publish statement of issues |
| Late January to March 2015 | Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear third parties |
| 27 January 2015 | Merger reference made |
Phase 2
Final report
- (PDF,1.4 Mb) (3.7.15)
- (PDF,1.7 Mb) (3.7.15)
- Press release: CMA confirms clearance of packaging merger (3.7.15)
Provisional findings
29 May 2015: The CMA has provisionally cleared the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company of Weidenhammer Packaging Group.
- (PDF,1.4 Mb) (2.6.15)
- (PDF,1.9 Mb) (2.6.15)
- (29.5.15)
- (29.5.15)
- Press release: CMA provisionally clears packaging merger (29.5.15)
Evidence
The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.
Hearing summaries
As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.
- (2.6.15)
- (2.6.15)
- (15.5.15)
- (1.5.15)
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Initial submissions
The CMA’s merger inquiry is independent and welcomes submissions from all interested parties.
- (31.3.15)
Decision to appoint monitoring trustee
On 16 February 2015 the CMA directed Sonoco Products Company and Sonoco Holdings UK Limited to appoint a monitoring trustee.
- (17.3.15)
Issues statement
25 February 2015: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.
- (25.2.15)
- News story: CMA publishes issues statement for Sonoco / Weidenhammer inquiry (25.2.15)
Inquiry group appointed
27 January 2015: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.
Martin Cave (Chairman), John Harley, Michael Hutchings and Jayne Scott.
Terms of reference
27 January 2015: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Sonoco of Weidenhammer for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.
- (27.1.15)
Phase 1
| Phase 1 date | Action |
|---|---|
| 25 February 2015 | Decision published |
| 13 January 2015 | Decision announced |
| 13 November 2014 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 10 November to 21 November 2014 | Invitation to comment |
| 5 November 2014 | Initial enforcement order |
Reference decision
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News story: CMA confirms investigation of food cans suppliers merger (27.1.15)
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(25.2.15)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
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Press release: Food cans supplier merger may give rise to competition concerns (13.1.15)
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(25.2.15)
Launch of CMA merger inquiry
13 November 2014: The CMA announced the launch of its phase 1 investigation by notice to the parties.
- (13.11.14)
Initial enforcement order
5 November 2014: The CMA imposed an initial enforcement order on Sonoco pursuant to section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002.
- (5.11.14)
### Amendments/consents granted.
- (31.3.15)
- (31.3.15)
- (31.3.15)
- (5.1.15)
- (20.11.14)
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- (6.11.14)