The Commerce Commission has received an application to merge two catering businesses.

Spotless Services (NZ) Limited has applied for clearance to acquire the shares of P&O Catering and Services (NZ) Limited.

The Commission's Commerce Act Manager, Geoff Thorn, said that the Commission expects to make its decision by September 9.

Mr Thorn said that the Commission must determine what are the relevant markets for the proposal and what impact the acquisition would have on competition in those markets.

The Commerce Act prohibits acquisitions that result in dominance being acquired or strengthened in any markets. A clearance is granted if the Commission is satisfied that dominance would not be acquired or strengthened.

Media contact:

Commerce Act Manager Geoff Thorn

Phone work (04) 498 0958

Communications Officer Vincent Cholewa

Phone work (04) 498 0920

Commission media releases can be viewed on its web site www.comcom.govt.nz