# C_2017444EN.01001301.xml

| 23.12.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 444/13 |
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23.12.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 444/13

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8740 — Schmolz+Bickenbach/Assets of Asco Industries)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2017/C 444/13)

| 1. | On 19 December 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | Schmolz+Bickenbach AG (Switzerland), controlled by the Renova Group; |
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1.

On 19 December 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

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This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

Schmolz+Bickenbach AG (Switzerland), controlled by the Renova Group;

| — | Asco Industries SAS (France). |
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—

Asco Industries SAS (France).

Schmolz+Bickenbach acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of certain parts of Asco Industries.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of assets and purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for Schmolz+Bickenbach: manufacture of special long steel products, in particular tool steel and non-corrosive long steel as well as alloyed and high alloyed engineering steel. Schmolz+Bickenbach is vertically integrated along the entire value chain, from production and processing to sales and services and operates worldwide;
  —   for Renova Group: a private business group consisting of asset management companies and direct portfolio investment funds in a variety of sectors worldwide;
  —   for Asco Industries: manufacture of special long steel products for the automotive, mechanical engineering, bearings and energy sectors in Europe. |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for Schmolz+Bickenbach: manufacture of special long steel products, in particular tool steel and non-corrosive long steel as well as alloyed and high alloyed engineering steel. Schmolz+Bickenbach is vertically integrated along the entire value chain, from production and processing to sales and services and operates worldwide;

for Schmolz+Bickenbach

—   for Renova Group: a private business group consisting of asset management companies and direct portfolio investment funds in a variety of sectors worldwide;

for Renova Group

—   for Asco Industries: manufacture of special long steel products for the automotive, mechanical engineering, bearings and energy sectors in Europe.

for Asco Industries

| 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 the 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 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 the 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. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8740 — Schmolz+Bickenbach/Assets of Asco Industries
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  E-mail: |
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| COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| Fax |
| +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| 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. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8740 — Schmolz+Bickenbach/Assets of Asco Industries

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

E-mail:

COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax

+32 22964301

Postal 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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