# C_2007112EN.01002001.xml

| 22.5.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 112/20 |
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22.5.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 112/20

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4674 — KKR/Stefano Pessina/Alliance Boots)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 112/12)

| 1. | On 8 May 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, L.P. (‘KKR’, USA) and Mr. Stefano Pessina (‘Mr. Stefano Pessina’, UK), through an investment vehicle, AB Acquisitions Limited (UK), acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Alliance Boots plc (‘Alliance Boots’, UK), by way of public bid announced on 20 April 2007. |
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1.

On 8 May 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, L.P. (‘KKR’, USA) and Mr. Stefano Pessina (‘Mr. Stefano Pessina’, UK), through an investment vehicle, AB Acquisitions Limited (UK), acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Alliance Boots plc (‘Alliance Boots’, UK), by way of public bid announced on 20 April 2007.

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






  — | for KKR: private equity investment, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for KKR: private equity investment,

| — | for Mr. Stefano Pessina: shareholder and Executive Deputy Chairman of Alliance Boots, |
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for Mr. Stefano Pessina: shareholder and Executive Deputy Chairman of Alliance Boots,

| — | for Alliance Boots: wholesaling of pharmaceutical products and retailing of health and beauty products. |
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for Alliance Boots: wholesaling of pharmaceutical products and retailing of health and beauty products.

| 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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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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. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 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 ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4674 — KKR/Stefano Pessina/Alliance Boots, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

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 ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4674 — KKR/Stefano Pessina/Alliance Boots, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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