# C_2004185EN.01000401.xml

| 20.7.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 185/4 |
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20.7.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 185/4

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case No COMP/M.3521 — BRIDGEPOINT CAPITAL GROUP/PETS AT HOME GROUP)

Candidate for simplified procedure

(2004/C 185/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 8 July 2004, 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, Bridgepoint Europe II (‘BE II’) which is ultimately controlled by Bridgepoint Capital Group Ltd (‘Bridgepoint’, UK), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the above-mentioned Council Regulation, control of the whole of the undertaking Pets at Home Group Ltd (‘Pets at Home’), United Kingdom, by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 8 July 2004, 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, Bridgepoint Europe II (‘BE II’) which is ultimately controlled by Bridgepoint Capital Group Ltd (‘Bridgepoint’, UK), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the above-mentioned Council Regulation, control of the whole of the undertaking Pets at Home Group Ltd (‘Pets at Home’), United Kingdom, by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for Bridgepoint: management of private equity funds, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Bridgepoint: management of private equity funds,

| — | for BE II: private equity investment fund, |
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for BE II: private equity investment fund,

| — | for Pets at Home: supply of pet-related products (such as pet foods, pet accessories and small pets) and veterinary services. |
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for Pets at Home: supply of pet-related products (such as pet foods, pet accessories and small pets) and veterinary services.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration 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 (EEC) No 4064/89 (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 concentration 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 (EEC) No 4064/89 (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 +32/2/2964301 or 2967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3521, Bridgepoint Capital Group/Pets at Home Group 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 +32/2/2964301 or 2967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3521, Bridgepoint Capital Group/Pets at Home Group 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 217, 29.7.2000, p. 32.

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