InvoCare Limited - completed acquisition of Southern Cross Funerals
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
34229
Acquirer(s)
InvoCare Limited
Target(s)
Southern Cross Funerals
Industry
Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
7
Commenced public review
16th October 2008
Date completed
24th October 2008
Market definition
The ACCC considered the competitive effects of the completed acquisition in the context of the supply of funeral direction services in the Melbourne region.
Competition analysis
The ACCC formed the view that the completed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant market. Factors informing this conclusion included:
- post- acquisition, the merged firm would hold approximately 23% of the market;
- the merged firm would continue to be constrained by a number of competitors including Tobins and a large number of smaller competitors; and
- no vertical integration issues arose as a result of the completed acquisition.
Review timeline
Date
Event
16th October 2008
InvoCare Limited notified the ACCC that it had completed the acquisition of Southern Cross Funerals. ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
23rd October 2008
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
24th October 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.
