The Netherlands Authority for Consumers
& Markets regulates various markets.
One such market
is the ready-mix concrete market.
Thanks to ACM, companies in this market
have made commitments...
thereby ensuring
that the industry remains competitive.
Ready-mix concrete is used for building
homes, offices, bridges and overpasses.
Competition is good for competitive prices,
higher quality, more choice...
better service,
and more innovation in the industry.
After mixing the ready-mix concrete,
it must be transported quickly.
Almost 200 ready-mix concrete plants
are located across the Netherlands.
These plants were sometimes used
by two or more competitors.
This joint use may have led to reduced
competition between these competitors...
for example,
because they exchanged information.
Sometimes they also shared jobs.
Customers became confused.
Whom are they actually dealing with?
When firms sold land,
they sometimes demanded...
that no ready-mix concrete plant
could ever be built again there.
Competitors were thus prevented from
making ready-mix concrete on those sites.
ACM was unable to determine if these firms
routinely reviewed their collaborations.
Do they comply with antitrust rules or not?
ACM identified anticompetitive risks
in the ready-mix concrete industry.
ACM discussed its concerns
with several firms.
These firms have now made
the following commitments:
If competitors have too large a market
share because of joint use of a plant...
their collaboration must be adjusted.
Competitors may only share jobs
if sharing is truly necessary.
It should always be clear to customers
who carries out what.
Firms must register
when they discussed what with competitors.
This increases awareness
of what is discussed with whom...
and why that is important.
There can be no obstacles
when selling ready-mix concrete plants.
Employees must be trained
on a permanent basis about the rules...

and compliance therewith.
Non-compliance
may result in internal penalties.
With the firms' commitments...
the ready-mix concrete sector
becomes more competitive.
Governments, businesses and consumers
thus benefit...
when homes, offices, bridges
and overpasses are built.
These commitments
have been made for the next ten years.
ACM will ensure that they will be met.
ACM creates opportunities and options
for businesses and consumers.