# C_2006262EN.01000201.xml

| 31.10.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 262/2 |
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31.10.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 262/2

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4455 — Schmolz + Bickenbach/Swiss Steel)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 262/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 23 October 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Schmolz + Bickenbach KG (‘S+B’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Swiss Steel AG (‘Swiss Steel’, now renamed Schmolz+Bickenbach AG, Switzerland) by way of exchange of assets for shares. |
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1.

On 23 October 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Schmolz + Bickenbach KG (‘S+B’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Swiss Steel AG (‘Swiss Steel’, now renamed Schmolz+Bickenbach AG, Switzerland) by way of exchange of assets for shares.

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






  — | for S+B: production and distribution of specialty steel products, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for S+B: production and distribution of specialty steel products,

| — | for Swiss Steel: production of carbon steel and specialty steel products. |
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for Swiss Steel: production of carbon steel and specialty steel 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 (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M. 4455 — Schmolz + Bickenbach/Swiss Steel, 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 (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M. 4455 — Schmolz + Bickenbach/Swiss Steel, 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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