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The Netherlands Authority for Consumers
& Markets regulates various markets.

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One such market
is the ready-mix concrete market.

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Thanks to ACM, companies in this market
have made commitments...

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thereby ensuring
that the industry remains competitive.

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Ready-mix concrete is used for building
homes, offices, bridges and overpasses.

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Competition is good for competitive prices,
higher quality, more choice...

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better service,
and more innovation in the industry.

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After mixing the ready-mix concrete,
it must be transported quickly.

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Almost 200 ready-mix concrete plants
are located across the Netherlands.

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These plants were sometimes used
by two or more competitors.

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This joint use may have led to reduced
competition between these competitors...

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for example,
because they exchanged information.

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Sometimes they also shared jobs.
Customers became confused.

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Whom are they actually dealing with?

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When firms sold land,
they sometimes demanded...

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that no ready-mix concrete plant
could ever be built again there.

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Competitors were thus prevented from
making ready-mix concrete on those sites.

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ACM was unable to determine if these firms
routinely reviewed their collaborations.

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Do they comply with antitrust rules or not?

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ACM identified anticompetitive risks
in the ready-mix concrete industry.

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ACM discussed its concerns
with several firms.

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These firms have now made
the following commitments:

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If competitors have too large a market
share because of joint use of a plant...

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their collaboration must be adjusted.

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Competitors may only share jobs
if sharing is truly necessary.

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It should always be clear to customers
who carries out what.

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Firms must register
when they discussed what with competitors.

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This increases awareness
of what is discussed with whom...

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and why that is important.

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There can be no obstacles
when selling ready-mix concrete plants.

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Employees must be trained
on a permanent basis about the rules...

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and compliance therewith.

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Non-compliance
may result in internal penalties.

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With the firms' commitments...

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the ready-mix concrete sector
becomes more competitive.

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Governments, businesses and consumers
thus benefit...

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when homes, offices, bridges
and overpasses are built.

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These commitments
have been made for the next ten years.

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ACM will ensure that they will be met.

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ACM creates opportunities and options
for businesses and consumers.