Acquirer(s)

  • Leigh Mardon Australasia Pty Ltd

Target(s)

  • APN News and Media Limited

Summary

The assets acquired by Leigh Mardon were former divisions of APN which traded as Bankprint and Security Plastics.

Market definition

The ACCC considered the impact on competition this acquisition may have in the context of the national markets for manufacture and supply of cheques and plastic cards.

Competition analysis

As part of its investigation into the proposed acquisition, the ACCC contacted a number of market participants in the industry including customers and competitors to assess the impact of the proposed acquisition.

The ACCC considered that the acquisition would be unlikely to have substantially lessened competition in the national market for plastic cards, as the high level of imports is likely to act as a significant constraint on incumbent firms.

Market inquiries also suggested that the acquisition was unlikely to cause competition concerns in the cheque industry due to the relative ease of entry from firms participating in the broader market for secured printing and the countervailing power of many of the large customers.

Timeline

Date Event

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