The Commerce Commission today cleared Wormald New Zealand Ltd to acquire the assets of the fire equipment division of Carbonic Industries Ltd.

Wormald supplies and installs a wide range of fire protection and monitoring equipment, including fire extinguishers.

It applied for clearance to acquire Carbonic's fire equipment division which manufactures and distributes carbon dioxide fire extinguishers and imports and distributes other fire extinguishers. Carbonic's other activities, manufacturing and distributing carbon dioxide and dry ice plant and supplying carbon dioxide and dry ice, are not part of the proposed acquisition.

Commission Member Terry Stapleton said the acquisition would not result in Wormald acquiring or strengthening a dominant position in any of the relevant markets.

Several other companies supply hand-held fire extinguishers and imports can be increased.

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