# C_2017016EN.01000901.xml

| 18.1.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 16/9 |
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18.1.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 16/9

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8292 — Sumitomo Rubber Industries/Micheldever Group)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 16/07)

| 1. | On 5 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited (‘Sumitomo’, Japan) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Micheldever Group Ltd (‘Micheldever’, UK) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 5 January 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited (‘Sumitomo’, Japan) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Micheldever Group Ltd (‘Micheldever’, UK) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Sumitomo: the manufacture and production of tyres and the sale of tyres to OEMs and to wholesale outlets. Sumitomo also manufactures certain sports and industrial goods,
  —   for Micheldever: the wholesale and retail sale of tyres. Micheldever also offers automotive repair and services at the retail level. |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Sumitomo: the manufacture and production of tyres and the sale of tyres to OEMs and to wholesale outlets. Sumitomo also manufactures certain sports and industrial goods,

for Sumitomo

—   for Micheldever: the wholesale and retail sale of tyres. Micheldever also offers automotive repair and services at the retail level.

for Micheldever

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. 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 this Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. 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 this 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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8292 — Sumitomo Rubber Industries/Micheldever Group, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference M.8292 — Sumitomo Rubber Industries/Micheldever Group, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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