Eville & Jones / Vorenta merger inquiry
| Case Outcome | Mergers - phase 1 clearance with undertakings in lieu |
| Subject Matter | Mergers |
| Date | 04 November 2022 |
| Court | Competition and Markets Authority (EW) |
| Decision Date | 04 November 2022 |
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Completed Acquisition by Eville &
Jones (Group) Limited of Vorenta Ltd
Decision that undertakings might be accepted
ME/2023/22
The CMA’s decision under section 73A(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 that undertakings
might be accepted, given on 20 March 2023. Full text of the decision published on 6 April
2023/
Introduction
1. Pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated 9 September 2022, Eville & Jones
(Group) Limited (E&J) acquired the whole issued share capital of Vorenta Ltd
(Vorenta), including its subsidiaries Hall Mark Meat Hygiene Limited (HallMark) and
Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (MLCSL) (the Merger). E&J and
Vorenta are together referred to as the ‘Parties’.
2. On 6 March 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decided under
section 22(1) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (the Act) that it is or may be the case that
the Merger constitutes a relevant merger situation that has resulted or may be
expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) within a market or
markets in the United Kingdom (the SLC Decision).
3. On the date of the SLC Decision, the CMA gave notice pursuant to section
34ZA(1)(b) of the Act to the Parties of the SLC Decision. However, the CMA did not
refer the Merger for a Phase 2 investigation pursuant to section 22(3)(b) on the date
of the SLC Decision in order to allow E&J the opportunity to offer undertakings to
the CMA in lieu of such reference for the purposes of section 73(2) of the Act.
4. Pursuant to section 73A(1) of the Act, if a party wishes to offer undertakings for the
purposes of section 73(2) of the Act, it must do so within the five working day period
offered undertakings to the CMA for the purposes of section 73(2) of the Act.
5. The CMA now gives notice, pursuant to section 73A(2)(b) of the Act, to E&J that it
considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings
offered, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under section
73(2) of the Act and that it is considering the offer.
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