Adelaide Brighton Ltd - completed acquisition of Hanson Building Products Pty Ltd
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
32909
Acquirer(s)
Adelaide Brighton Limited
Target(s)
Hanson Building Products Pty Ltd
Industry
Concrete masonry products and cement
Summary
Adelaide Brighton Ltd acquired Hanson Building Products Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Hanson Australia Pty Ltd)
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
29
Commenced public review
2nd July 2008
Date completed
26th August 2008
Market definition
The ACCC considered the acquisition in the context of:
- regional markets for the supply of concrete masonry products in Queensland, Tasmania and New South Wales/the ACT
- the market for the supply of cement in Eastern and Southern Australia.
Competition analysis
The ACCC formed the view that the acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets. Factors informing this conclusion included:
- the acquisition resulted in little or no increase in market concentration in the relevant markets because there was minimal overlap between the operations of the parties
- to the extent that there was any overlap, the merged entity would be constrained by existing competitors and potential new entrants
- the acquisition would not provide Adelaide Brighton Ltd with the ability or incentive to foreclose competitors in the relevant markets by restricting or limiting supply of cement in the foreseeable future.
Review timeline
Date
Event
1st July 2008
Adelaide Brighton Ltd acquired Hanson Building Products Pty Ltd.
2nd July 2008
ACCC became aware of the acquisition and commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
2nd July 2008
ACCC requested further information from Adelaide Brighton Ltd. ACCC timeline suspended.
10th July 2008
ACCC received further information from Adelaide Brighton Ltd. ACCC timeline recommenced.
16th July 2008
ACCC requested further information from Adelaide Brighton Ltd. ACCC timeline suspended.
23rd July 2008
ACCC received further information from Adelaide Brighton Ltd. ACCC timeline recommenced.
26th August 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.
