Leigh Mardon Australasia Pty Ltd - acquisition of the assets of the secure printing division of APN News and Media Limited
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
25106
Acquirer(s)
Leigh Mardon Australasia Pty Ltd
Target(s)
APN News and Media Limited
Industry
Secure Transaction Products
Summary
The assets acquired by Leigh Mardon were former divisions of APN which traded as Bankprint and Security Plastics.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
13
Commenced public review
4th August 2006
Date completed
22nd August 2006
Market definition
The ACCC considered the impact on competition this acquisition may have in the context of the national markets for manufacture and supply of cheques and plastic cards.
Competition analysis
As part of its investigation into the proposed acquisition, the ACCC contacted a number of market participants in the industry including customers and competitors to assess the impact of the proposed acquisition.
The ACCC considered that the acquisition would be unlikely to have substantially lessened competition in the national market for plastic cards, as the high level of imports is likely to act as a significant constraint on incumbent firms.
Market inquiries also suggested that the acquisition was unlikely to cause competition concerns in the cheque industry due to the relative ease of entry from firms participating in the broader market for secured printing and the countervailing power of many of the large customers.
Review timeline
Date
Event
4th August 2006
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
16th August 2006
Closing date for submissions from interested parties
22nd August 2006
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.
