PROPOSED ACQUISITION BY CARL ZEISS JENA GMBH OF THE MICROSCOPY BUSINESS OF BIO-RAD LABORATORIES INC

Competition Commission invites evidence

The OFT has today asked the Competition Commission (CC) to look into the proposed acquisition by Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH of Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

The CC has been asked to consider whether the proposed acquisition may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services namely, the supply of advanced 3D Microscopes (which here includes single-photon and multi-photon microscopes) in the United Kingdom. The CC is required to publish its report by 14 June 2004.

The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by 22 January 2004. To submit evidence, please write to:

Inquiry Secretary (ZEISS/ BIO-RAD)
Competition Commission
New Court
48 Carey Street
LONDON
WC2A 2JT

Or email:

Notes for Editors

The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completed or proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million (see OFT Press Release PN 174/03).
The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.
Further information can be obtained from the CC’s web site at: http://www.competition-commission.org.uk.
Enquiries should be directed to Francis Royle, Press Officer, tel: 020 7271 0242.

Group Members

Mr Peter Freeman (Chairman)
Mr Nigel Macdonald
Professor David Parker
Mr Richard Rawlinson