GovWire

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 11 October 2023

Statutory deadline: 26 March 2024

• Administrative timetable (PDF, 138KB) (20.10.23)

Contact

Arcelik.Whirlpool@cma.gov.uk

Provisional findings

8 February 2024: The CMA has provisionally cleared the anticipated joint venture between Arelik A.?. (via Ardutch B.V.) and Whirlpool Corporation (via Whirlpool EMEA Holdings LLC).

The deadline for submitting responses to the provisional findings is 5pm on Thursday 29 February 2024.

• Summary of provisional findings (PDF, 172KB) (8.2.24)

• Notice of provisional findings (PDF, 180KB) (8.2.24)

• Press notice: Provisional go-ahead for domestic appliances deal (8.2.24)

Response to the issues statement

• Parties response to the issues statement (PDF, 413KB) (24.11.23)

Initial submission

• Parties initial submission (PDF, 2078KB) (13.11.23)

Issues statement

7 November 2023: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

• Issues statement (PDF, 219KB) (7.11.23)

Inquiry group appointed

11 October 2023: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:

• Martin Coleman (Chair)
• Claire Whyley
• Sir Kenneth Parker
• Crispin Wright

Terms of reference

11 October 2023: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between Arelik A.?. (via Ardutch B.V.) and Whirlpool Corporation (via Whirlpool EMEA Holdings LLC) for an in-depth investigation.

• Terms of reference (PDF, 136KB) (11.10.23)

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Reference decision

11 October 2023: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between Arelik A.?. (via Ardutch B.V.) and Whirlpool Corporation (via Whirlpool EMEA Holdings LLC) for an in-depth investigation on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this Transaction may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.

• Decision to refer (PDF, 158KB) (11.10.23)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

28 September 2023: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this transaction may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. The transaction will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

• Full text decision (PDF, 531KB) (7.11.23)
• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF 162 KB) (28.9.23)
• Press notice: Home appliances merger could reduce choice for consumers (28.9.23)

Launch of merger inquiry

2 August 2023: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (PDF, 85 KB) (7.8.23)

The date of the CMAs phase 1 decision deadline was incorrect in the commencement notice. The correct date for the deadline is 28 September 2023 and the CMA has updated the notice accordingly.

Invitation to comment now closed

11 July 2023: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party, in advance of the CMAs formal investigation starting.

These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.