The Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from Firth Industries to acquire the assets comprising the ready-mixed concrete business of Gill Construction Co Limited (Gill) in Blenheim.

Firth Industries is a division of Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure Limited. Its business is the manufacture and distribution of building materials, in particular ready-mixed concrete and concrete masonry products and dried, bagged cement and aggregate products. Firth Industries has facilities across the country, including a plant in Blenheim.

Gill is a privately owned company that owns and operates a transport business, a civil contracting business, a farm forestry business, a quarry business manufacturing aggregates, and a ready-mixed concrete business.

In considering the application under the Commerce Act, the Commission's role is to determine whether the merger has the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market.

A public version of Firth Industries' application is available on request from the Commerce Commission. Please contact Catherine Best, (04) 924 3654.

Media contact: Geoff Thorn, Director, Business Competition

Phone work (04) 924 3620, mobile 029 924 3620

Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3708, mobile 029 924 3708