Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11039 – ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA / THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES / TOM FORD INTERNATIONAL) Candidate case for simplified procedure (Text with EEA relevance) 2023/C 60/20
Date: 2023-02-17
Institutions: Directorate-General for Competition, European Commission
Subjects: clothing industry, cosmetics industry, economic concentration, luxury products industry, merger control, textile product








C_2023060EN.01003501.xml










17.2.2023   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 60/35






Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.11039 – ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA / THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES / TOM FORD INTERNATIONAL)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2023/C 60/20)

1.   
On 7 February 2023, 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:






—


Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. (‘Zegna’, Italy), controlled by Monterubello s.s.,










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The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (‘ELC’, United States), controlled by the Lauder family,










—


Tom Ford International LLC (‘Tom Ford International’, United States), controlled by Mr Thomas Ford.




Zegna and ELC will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control over Tom Ford International.
The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of membership interests (shares).


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






—


Zegna is active in the design, creation and distribution of luxury menswear and accessories under the Zegna brand, as well as womenswear, menswear and accessories under the Thom Browne brand. Zegna also manufactures and distributes fabrics and textiles. Zegna’s products are sold through over 500 stores in 80 countries around the world,










—


ELC is a manufacturer, marketer and seller of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. Its products are sold in approximately 150 countries and, as of 30 June 2022, has approximately 63 000 employees worldwide.










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Tom Ford International, offers a complete collection of menswear, womenswear, accessories, and most recently underwear and timepieces. Presently, there are over 100 freestanding TOM FORD stores and shop-in-shops all around the world.






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 the Notice.


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.11039 – ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA / THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES / TOM FORD INTERNATIONAL
Observations can be sent to the Commission by email or by post. Please use the contact details below:
Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu
Postal address:





European Commission




Directorate-General for Competition




Merger Registry




1049 Bruxelles/Brussel




BELGIQUE/BELGIË







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

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.