# C_2006176EN.01001801.xml

| 28.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 176/18 |
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28.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 176/18

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4129 — Thule/Chaas/Advanced Accessory Systems/Valley)

(2006/C 176/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 20 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 (and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5)) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Thule AB (‘Thule’, Sweden, controlled by Candover, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of CHAAS Holdings BV (‘CHAAS’, Netherlands), Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC (‘Advanced Accessory Systems’, USA) and the assets of Valley Industries, Inc (‘Valley’, USA), by way of purchase of shares and assets. |
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1.

On 20 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 (and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5)) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Thule AB (‘Thule’, Sweden, controlled by Candover, UK) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of CHAAS Holdings BV (‘CHAAS’, Netherlands), Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC (‘Advanced Accessory Systems’, USA) and the assets of Valley Industries, Inc (‘Valley’, USA), by way of purchase of shares and assets.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Thule: load carrying system for passenger cars, trailers for passenger cars, traction equipment for passenger cars and for heavy vehicles and accessories for recreational vehicles, i.e. mobile homes and caravans |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Thule: load carrying system for passenger cars, trailers for passenger cars, traction equipment for passenger cars and for heavy vehicles and accessories for recreational vehicles, i.e. mobile homes and caravans

| — | for Candover: investment fund; |
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for Candover: investment fund;

| — | for CHAAS: shareholder of Brink, tow bars, and wiring kits; |
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for CHAAS: shareholder of Brink, tow bars, and wiring kits;

| — | for Advanced Accessory Systems: load carrying systems for cars; |
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for Advanced Accessory Systems: load carrying systems for cars;

| — | for Valley: towing systems related to accessories. |
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for Valley: towing systems related to accessories.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4129 — Thule/Chaas/Advanced Accessory Systems/Valley, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4129 — Thule/Chaas/Advanced Accessory Systems/Valley, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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