The ACCC considered the acquisition in the context of the supply of funeral direction services in the Perth region.
Competition analysis
On 8 April 2008, the ACCC formed the view that the acquisition would be unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in funeral direction services in Perth because:
- the acquisition hadn't significantly altered the market dynamic;
- there remained a number of alternative suppliers in the industry, including Bowra O'Dea, Prosser Scott and Seasons, which would provide a competitive constraint on the entity; and
- no vertical issues arose since all of the cremation and cemetery facilities in WA were owned by the State.
Review timeline
Date
Event
14th February 2008
InvoCare Limited acquired the business assets of Chipper Pty Ltd.
18th March 2008
ACCC commences review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
1st April 2008
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
8th April 2008
ACCC announced it would not oppose the acquisition.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
