Boparan / Bernard Matthews merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by enterprises conducted by Boparan Private Office (BPO) of the business formerly carried on by Bernard Matthews Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 17 October 2016
• Last updated: 9 February 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Food manufacturing
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 17 October 2016
• Closed: 9 February 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
9 February 2017	Decision published
12 January 2017	Decision announced
15 December 2016	Revocation of the initial enforcement order
21 November 2016	Launch of merger inquiry
18 November to 2 December 2016	Invitation to comment
14 October 2016	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

12 January 2017: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by enterprises conducted by Ranjit Boparan and Baljinder Boparan of the business formerly carried on by Bernard Matthews Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (9.2.17)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

15 December 2016: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (15.12.16)

Launch of merger inquiry

21 November 2016: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (21.11.16)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

18 November 2016: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Initial enforcement order

On 14 October 2016, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Ranjit Boparan, Baljinder Boparan, Boparan Holdco Limited and Amber REI Holdings Limited, in relation to the completed acquisition by enterprises conducted by Ranjit Boparan and Baljinder Boparan of the business formerly carried on by Bernard Matthews Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (17.10.16)

Amendments/consents granted

• Derogation 6 December 2016 (7.12.16)
• Derogation 11 November 2016 (15.11.16)
• Derogation 28 October 2016 (28.10.16)

Contact

[email protected]

Published 17 October 2016
Last updated 9 February 2017 + show all updates

1. 9 February 2017

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 12 January 2017

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 15 December 2016

   Revocation order published.

4. 7 December 2016

   Derogation published.

5. 21 November 2016

   Launch of merger inquiry.

6. 18 November 2016

   Invitation to comment issued.

7. 15 November 2016

   Derogation published.

8. 28 October 2016

   Derogation published.

9. 17 October 2016

   First published.