The Irish Competition Authority clears, subject to a divestment remedy, an acquisition between two companies in the rental and maintenance of flat linen to customers in the healthcare and hospitality sectors (Berendsen / Kings Laundry)

Introduction 1. On 8 July 2019 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, [1] cleared the acquisition by Berendsen Ireland Limited (Berendsen), ultimately controlled by Elis S. A. (Elis), of Kings Laundry Limited (Kings Laundry), subject to a divestment remedy. [2] It was determined that, given this remedy, the merger would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition (SLC), the competition test used by the CCPC. The transaction was notified to the CCPC on 7 August 2018, Phase II initiated on 9 January 2019. There was no appeal on the CCPC’s decision. [3] 2. In contrast to recent CCPC merger investigations, an Assessment (or a Statement of Objections in European Commission parlance) was issued in Berendsen (Elis)/Kings Laundry by the CCPC