# C_2011227EN.01000701.xml

| 2.8.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 227/7 |
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2.8.2011

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 227/7

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6308 — VFC/Timberland)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2011/C 227/06

| 1. | On 27 July 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which V.F. Corporation (‘VF’, USA) acquire sole control of The Timberland Company (‘Timberland’ USA) and all of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 27 July 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which V.F. Corporation (‘VF’, USA) acquire sole control of The Timberland Company (‘Timberland’ USA) and all of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for VF: the design, development and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel and related goods through a number of consumer brands such as ‘The North Face’, ‘Lee’, ‘Wrangler’, ‘Reef’, ‘Vans’ and ‘Napapijri’. VF is a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange and operates worldwide, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for VF: the design, development and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel and related goods through a number of consumer brands such as ‘The North Face’, ‘Lee’, ‘Wrangler’, ‘Reef’, ‘Vans’ and ‘Napapijri’. VF is a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange and operates worldwide,

| — | for Timberland: the design, development and marketing of premium quality footwear and apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Timberland is a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange and operates in North America, Europe and Asia. |
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for Timberland: the design, development and marketing of premium quality footwear and apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Timberland is a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange and operates in North America, Europe and Asia.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC 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 EC Merger Regulation (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 EC 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 EC Merger Regulation (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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6308 — VFC/Timberland, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| 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 number COMP/M.6308 — VFC/Timberland, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

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