Press release

CMA publishes issues statement in Iron Mountain/Recall merger

The CMA has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into Iron Mountain’s anticipated acquisition of Recall.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 3 February 2016

The merger was referred for an in-depth phase 2 investigation in January.

Both Iron Mountain Incorporated (Iron Mountain) and Recall Holdings Limited (Recall) supply records and information management services in the UK – specifically records management services, which comprise the storage and retrieval of paper and hard copy records, and physical offsite data protection services, which involve the storage and retrieval of data and media on tapes/discs. The 2 companies operate from a total of 59 sites across the UK.

The inquiry group of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) panel members must decide whether, if the acquisition is completed, a relevant merger situation will be created 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 UK for goods or services. The inquiry group must report by 29 June 2016.

The issues statement identifies clearly for all interested parties the key questions that the inquiry is examining. The issues statement does not imply that the inquiry group has yet identified any competition concerns. The full issues statement is available on the case page along with all other published information relating to the inquiry.

Anyone wishing to respond to the issues statement should do so in writing, by no later than 5pm on 17 February 2016. Please email iron.recall@cma.gsi.gov.uk or write to:

Project Manager
Iron Mountain/Recall merger inquiry
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

Notes for editors

1. The CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority. It is an independent non-ministerial government department with responsibility for carrying out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries and enforcing competition and consumer law.
2. The Iron Mountain/Recall inquiry group is: Anne Lambert (Chair), Robin Aaronson, Lesley Ainsworth and Graham Sharp.
3. All the CMA’s functions in phase 2 merger inquiries are performed by independent inquiry groups chosen from the CMA’s panel members. The appointed inquiry group are the decision-makers on phase 2 inquiries.
4. The CMA’s panel members come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, law, accountancy and/or business; the membership of an inquiry group usually reflects a mix of expertise and experience (including industry experience).
5. For more information on the CMA see our homepage or follow us on Twitter @CMAgovuk, Flickr and LinkedIn. Sign up to our email alerts to receive updates on merger cases.
6. Enquiries should be directed to Siobhan Allen (siobhan.allen@cma.gsi.gov.uk, 020 3738 6460) or Rory Taylor (rory.taylor@cma.gsi.gov.uk, 020 3738 6798).

Published 3 February 2016