Acquirer(s)
- Culligan Group (Culligan)
Target(s)
- Waterlogic Group Holdings Limited (Waterlogic)
Summary
Culligan is controlled by Osmosis Buyer Limited (Osmosis). Culligan is headquartered is the USA and operates a global water systems treatment company. In Australia, Culligan owns the Zip brand, which manufactures and supplies multi-functional taps, bottle-free coolers, wall mounted boilers, bubblers and other drinking water solutions.
Firewall Holding S.À R.L. (Firewall) is the holding company of Waterlogic Group Holdings Limited (Waterlogic). Waterlogic is headquartered in the UK and operates in various countries. In Australia, Waterlogic supplies water products and services through Australian subsidiaries, including:
- Billi Australia Pty Ltd (Billi business) manufactures, supplies and services multi-functional taps; and
- Waterlogic Australia Holdings Pty Ltd which supplies rentals and servicing of bottle-free coolers, wall mounted boilers, bubblers and other drinking water products.
On 21 December 2021, Osmosis entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Firewall.
The ACCC commenced its public review on 4 March 2022.
On 19 May 2022, the ACCC decided to not oppose Culligan’s proposed acquisition of Waterlogic, subject to the ACCC accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from Osmosis to divest the Billi business.
Market definition
Refer to the attached Public Competition Assessment.
Competition analysis
Refer to the attached Public Competition Assessment.
Market inquiries
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Culligan Waterlogic - market inquiries letter |
Public competition assessment
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Competition Assessment |
Undertakings
| Document title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Osmosis - s87B Undertaking |
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
ACCC commenced informal review under the Informal Merger Review Process Guidelines. |
|
Closing date for submissions. |
|
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition, subject to a section 87B undertaking accepted by the ACCC. |