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Competition tribunal

SOUTH AFRICA

COMPETITION TRIBUNAL OF SOUTH AFRICA

Case No: LM274Mar19

In the matter between

Bachique 746 (Pty) Ltd                                                                       Primary Acquiring Firm

And

Afrikelp (Pty) Ltd, Afrikelp Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Afrikelp                           Primary Target Firms

Investments (Pty) Ltd, Akusa, Inc., Taurus Chemicals

Namibia (Pty) Ltd, Taurus Chemicals Cape Kelp (Pty)

Ltd, Rotaq LOderitz (Pty) Ltd, Efekto Care (Pty) Ltd,

Efekto Zambia Ltd, Agro-Serve (Pty) Ltd, Agro-Serve

(Pty) Ltd (Namibia), Marltons Pets and Products (Pty) Ltd

 

Panel: Yasmin Carrim (Presiding Member)

: Andreas Wessels (Tribunal Member)

: Fiona Tregenna (Tribunal Member)

Heard on: :17July2019

Order Issued on: 17 July 2019

Reasons Issued on: 28 August 2019

 

REASONS FOR DECISION

 

Approval

[1] On 17 July 2019, the Competition Tribunal (''Tribunal") unconditionally approved the proposed transaction involving Bachique 746 (Pty) Ltd ("Bidco'') and the target firms: Afrikelp (Pty) Ltd, Afrikelp Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Afrikelp Investments (Pty) Ltd, Akusa, Inc., Taurus Chemicals Namibia (Pty) Ltd, Taurus Chemicals Cape Kelp (Pty) Ltd, Rotaq LOderitz (Pty) Ltd, Efekto Care (Pty) Ltd, Efekto Zambia Ltd, Agro-Serve (Pty) Ltd, Agro-Serve (Pty) Ltd (Namibia), Marltons Pets and Products (Pty) Ltd, hereinafter collectively referred to as the Target Businesses'.

[2] The reasons for approval of the proposed transaction follow.

 

Parties to the transaction

Primary Acquiring Firm

[3] The primary acquiring firm is Bidco, an entity established for purposes of this transaction. Bidco is a consortium consisting of RMB Ventures Seven (Pty) Ltd ("RMBV"), BoE Private Equity Investments (Pty) Ltd ("BoE") and the Management of the Target Businesses ("Management"). RMBV and BoE jointly control the consortium.

[4] RMBV and BoE are the private equity businesses of the FirstRand Group and the Nedbank Group respectively. Both groups are involved in the provision of a broad range of banking and financial services, which includes amongst others retail banking, investment banking and corporate banking.

 

Primary Target Firms

[5] The Target Businesses are controlled by Ascendis Health Ltd ("Ascendis"). The Target Businesses can be divided into three businesses namely the Afrikelp, Efekto and Marltons Businesses, which form part of the broader Ascendis Biosciences Division. Each business is involved in different activities.

[6] Afrikelp is involved in the processing of seaweed extracts (known as kelp) for the production and supply of plant nutrition products used in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Afrikelp products are used as bio-stimulants to improve root growth as well as fruit set.[1]

[7] Efekto supplies home and garden pest control products, as well as garden fertiliser and plant food products (which are sold under the Wonder Brand). Efekto products are sold through national retailers, hardware chains, garden centres, farmers' co­ operatives and independent stores.

[8] Marltons supplies a diverse range of pet products and accessories except for pet food for dogs and cats. Most of Marltons products are imported and sold under the Marltons label. Marltons products are distributed through national retailers, pet and vet stores, nurseries and co-operatives.

 

Proposed transaction and rationale

[9] In terms of the Sale Agreement, Bidco will acquire most of the issued share capital in the Target Businesses and will therefore control the Target Businesses post­ merger.

 

Impact on competition

[10] The Competition Commission ("Commission") found no horizontal or vertical overlap between the activities of the merging parties. However, the Commission had concerns around RMBV and BoE's joint shareholding in Bidco and identified possible theories of harm likely to result from the proposed transaction. Thus, it decided to assess the following: (i) whether the consortium would dampen competition between RMBV and BoE in the market for private equity and (ii) whether the proposed transaction will result in information exchange of competitively sensitive information between RMBV and BoE.

[11] The Commission was concerned that the consortium would serve as platform for collusion not only for the consortium members but also their ultimate controllers. The Commission was of the view that RMBV and BoE would enter into an agreement not to compete with each other in current and future investments. To give effect to the agreement, they would share competitively sensitive information, so they don't offer competing bids.

[12] Despite the concerns, the Commission's investigation revealed that it is unlikely that the proposed transaction will result in coordination and information exchange. First, RMBV and BoE are small players in the private equity market. Should they attempt to collude, their conduct will be constrained by a number of competitors. Secondly, RMBV and BoE invest in various industries that are generally not in competition with one another. Therefore, it is unlikely that they would collude in respect of future investments.

[13] Thirdly, RMBV and BoE not only compete with private equity firms (both local and international) but also other players such as traders, Black Economic Empowerment investors and industrialists. Hence, the coordination would not be externally sustainable.

[14] In light of the above, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction was unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in any relevant market. We saw no reason to differ from this conclusion.

 

Public interest

[15] The merging parties confirmed that the proposed transaction would not have any negative effects on employment in South Africa.

[16] The proposed transaction raised no other public interest concerns.

 

Conclusion

[17] In light of the above, we approved the proposed transaction unconditionally.

 

Ms Yasmin Carrim

 

Mr Andreas Wessels and Prof. Fiona Tregenna concurring.

 

 

28 August 2019

Date

 

Tribunal Researcher:                      Hlumelo Vazi

For the merging parties:                 M Garden and A Scallan of ENSafrica

For the Commission                       R Darji and T Masithulela

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