NMa approves acquisition Quality Bakers by Bakkersland

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has approved the acquisition of Dutch baking company Quality Bakers by fellow baking company Bakkersland. The competition authority concluded that competition is not significantly impeded by the acquisition.

The NMa also concludes that supermarkets and competitors in the market of bread, pastries and confectionery production exert enough competitive pressure on the new combination. At least one other major baking company, Bake Five, is active on this market, apart from the new combination. Supermarkets can start their own bakery, or transfer parts of their purchasing to different bakeries, according to results of an NMa survey. The new combination will thus not be able to raise the price of bread.

When reviewing mergers and acquisitions, the NMa assesses whether effective competition in the market is significantly impeded, particularly when a dominant position is created or strengthened. Such a dominant position can have negative effects on the price, quality and range of the products or services offered on the market.

The decision (in Dutch) will be published on the NMa website www.acm.nl as soon as possible.