Issued 19 May 2003

The Commerce Commission has received an application from Portacom New Zealand Limited to acquire certain business assets including hire contracts, portable buildings and intellectual property of the business trading under the name 'Transportables'.

Portacom is a wholly owned subsidiary of WACO International Limited. Portacom manufactures modular portable buildings for sale and hire nationwide.

Transportables is the trading name of the business owned and operated by Peter McGrath and Malcolm Lowrie. Transportables is involved in the modular portable building hire market in the Nelson area.

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

A public version of Portacom's application will shortly be available on the Commission's website under Adjudication.

Media contact:

Fritha Mackay, Market Structure Manager

Phone work (04) 924 3650

Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager

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