Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation / Findel Education merger inquiry
The CMA investigated the anticipated acquisition of Findel Education Ltd by Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation
Phase 2
Administrative timetable
Date of referral: 30 June 2020
Statutory deadline: 14 December 2020
- (27.7.20)
Merger abandoned
- (2.11.20)
- Press release: Educational supplies firms abandon merger during CMA investigation (2.11.20)
Provisional findings
16 October 2020: The CMA has provisionally found competition concerns as part of its in-depth investigation of the anticipated acquisition by YPO of Findel Education Limited.
- (19.10.20)
- (19.10.20)
- (16.10.20)
- (16.10.20)
- (16.10.20)
- Press release: Schools could lose out in educational supplies merger (16.10.20)
Responses to issues statement
- (19.8.20)
Response to phase 1 decision
- (27.7.20)
Issues statement
27 July 2020: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.
- (27.7.20)
Inquiry group appointed
1 July 2020: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:
Stuart McIntosh (Chair), Jo Armstrong, Maria da Cunha, and Cyrus Mehta.
Contact
Terms of reference
30 June 2020: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation of Findel Education Limited for an in-depth investigation.
- (1.7.20)
Phase 1
| Phase 1 Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 27 July 2020 | Decision published |
| 19 June 2020 | Decision announced |
| 22 April 2020 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 31 March to 14 April 2020 | Invitation to comment |
Reference decision
30 June 2020: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation of Findel Education Limited for an in-depth investigation.
- (1.7.20)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
19 June 2020: 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.
- (27.7.20)
- (19.6.20)
- News story: Competition concerns raised over educational supplies merger (19.6.20)
Launch of merger inquiry
22 April 2020: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (22.4.20)
Invitation to comment: now closed
31 March 2020: 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 or public interest to:
Updates to this page
Published 31 March 2020Last updated 2 November 2020 + show all updates
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Notice of cancellation of merger reference published.
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YPO has abandoned its proposed deal with Findel.
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Full text of provisional findings report published with appendices and glossary.
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Summary of provisional findings, notice of provisional findings and remedies notice published.
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Parties’ response to issues statement published.
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Phase 1 full text decision, parties’ response to phase 1 decision, phase 2 issues statement and administrative timetable published.
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Inquiry group appointed.
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Decision to refer merger to Phase 2 published.
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Phase 2 terms of reference published.
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Phase 1 decision announced and summary of the decision published.
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Launch of merger inquiry announced.
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First published.