Acquirer(s)

  • George Weston Foods Limited

Target(s)

  • KR Castlemaine Foods Pty Ltd

Summary

George Weston Foods Limited proposed to acquire KR Castlemaine Foods Pty Limited.

Market definition

The ACCC considered the proposed acquisition in the context of each of the following markets:

- the Victorian market for the acquisition of pigs;
- the national wholesale market for fresh pig meat; and
- the national wholesale smallgoods market which consists of pre-packed products and bulk products.

Competition analysis

On 20 March 2008, the ACCC formed the view that the proposed acquisition would be unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any of the relevant markets. Factors informing this conclusion included:

- the availability of substitutes from other competitors such as Hans and Primo and smaller sized competitors such as D'Orsogna, Ridders Fresh and Bertocchi;
- barriers to entry and / or expansion are likely to be surmountable as demonstrated by smaller players which have entered the market on a smaller level and expanded their geographical coverage, product range and types of customers; and
- the major grocery stores are able to exercise countervailing power.

Timeline

Date Event

Merger parties announce the proposed acquisition.

ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.

Closing date for submissions from interested parties.

ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.