Universal Sealants / Ekspan Holdings merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Universal Sealants (U.K.) Limited of Ekspan Holdings Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 1 December 2017
• Last updated: 23 March 2018 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Building and construction
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 1 December 2017
• Closed: 23 March 2018

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
23 March 2018	Decision Published
26 February 2018	Decision announced
5 February 2018	Revocation of initial enforcement order
10 January 2018	Launch of merger inquiry
8 January to 19 January 2018	Invitation to comment
29 November 2017	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

26 February 2018: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Universal Sealants (U.K.) Limited of Ekspan Holdings Limited.

• Full text decision (23.3.18)

Revocation of initial enforcement order

5 February 2018: In view of the evidence available to the CMA at this stage, the CMA has revoked the initial enforcement order.

• Revocation order (5.2.18)

Launch of merger inquiry

10 January 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (10.1.18)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

8 January 2018: 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

1 December 2017: On 29 November 2017, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Universal Sealants (U.K.) Limited and RPM International Inc. in relation to the completed acquisition by Universal Sealants (U.K.) Limited of Ekspan Holdings Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (1.12.17)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 19 December 2017 (20.12.17)
• Derogation 13 December 2017 (18.12.17)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

[email protected]

Published 1 December 2017
Last updated 23 March 2018 + show all updates

1. 23 March 2018

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 26 February 2018

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 5 February 2018

   Revocation order published.

4. 10 January 2018

   Launch of merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

5. 8 January 2018

   Invitation to comment issued.

6. 20 December 2017

   Derogation published.

7. 18 December 2017

   Derogation published.

8. 1 December 2017

   First published.