Educational supplies firms abandon merger during CMA investigation
YPO has abandoned its proposed deal with Findel. The CMA published its provisional findings outlining its concerns about the merger last month.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has therefore today confirmed it intends to cancel its investigation into the potential competition concerns that could be raised by the merger.
Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) and Findel Education Limited (Findel) are 2 of the leading suppliers of educational resources in the UK supplying stationery, furniture, and art and science materials to educational institutions, such as schools and nurseries. YPO announced its planned £50 million purchase of Findel last year.
The CMA had been carrying out an in-depth Phase 2 investigation and, last month, provisionally found that the merger was likely to leave educational institutions worse off with fewer alternative suppliers and worse terms when purchasing resources. The CMA’s initial view was that blocking YPO’s purchase of Findel was likely to be an effective remedy to the concerns identified.
YPO has now decided to abandon the deal and so the CMA will be cancelling its investigation.
More information is available on the merger inquiry case page.
For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.