IDEXX Laboratories Pty Limited - proposed acquisition of veterinary pathology business assets of Healthscope Limited in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
49977
Acquirer(s)
IDEXX Laboratories Pty Limited
Target(s)
Veterinary pathology business assets of Healthscope Limited
Industry
Veterinary pathology
Summary
IDEXX Laboratories Pty Limited proposed to acquire the veterinary pathology business assets of Healthscope Limited in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
44
Commenced public review
5th November 2012
Date completed
25th January 2013
Market definition
The ACCC considered the proposed acquisition in the context of the following markets:
-the market for the supply of veterinary pathology services in Queensland; and
-the market for the supply of veterinary pathology services in NSW/ACT.
Competition analysis
The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets for the following reasons:
-Healthscope (trading as 'Gribbles Veterinary Pathology') did not appear likely to impose a strong competitive constraint on other veterinary pathology providers in the relevant markets in the future absent the proposed acquisition.
-Other competitive constraints on IDEXX would remain post-acquisition, including Primary Health Care Limited (trading as 'Vetnostics' in NSW/ACT and 'QML Vetnostics' in Queensland), smaller specialised laboratories and some potential for new entry.
Review timeline
Date
Event
5th November 2012
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
26th November 2012
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
28th November 2012
ACCC requested further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline suspended. Former proposed decision date of 13 December 2012 delayed pending receipt of information from the parties.
17th December 2012
ACCC received further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline recommenced.
25th January 2013
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
