Clearance sought to combine ownership of plastic pipe manufacturers Marley and Keyplas
Published29 Aug 2000
The Commerce Commission has received an application from Etex Holding BV for a clearance to acquire all of the shares in Milnes Holdings Limited.
Etex is a company based in the Netherlands and is part of the same group that owns Marley New Zealand Limited. Marley manufactures a wide-range of products, including PVC pipes and fittings.
Milnes Holdings is an Australian company that owns, in New Zealand, PVC pipe manufacturer Keyplas Limited.
The Commission's Commerce Act Manager, Geoff Thorn, said that the Commerce Act prohibits business acquisitions that result in dominance being acquired or strengthened in any markets in New Zealand.
Parties can apply for a clearance, which the Commission will grant if it is satisfied that dominance is not acquired or strengthened. A clearance, if granted, protects an acquisition from court action under the Act.
The Act gives the Commission 10 working days in which to make its decision, but allows for extensions of time if necessary. Working day 10 will be September 11.
Public copies of Etex's application are available from reception at the Commission's Wellington office, level 7 Landcorp House, 101 Lambton Quay.
