After a preliminary examination of a proposed merger notified to it by the three Dutch paper groups KNP, Bührmann-Tetterode and VRG, the Commission has decided to initiate the second stage of proceedings under the Merger Control Regulation (No 4064/89). There are several lines of business involved: - KNP: production and distribution of paper and board; - BT: production of board and packaging, distribution of printing systems, office products, packaging materials and waste paper; - VRG: distribution of paper for, and servicing of, printing systems; business systems. There are three lines common to more than one group, namely packaging paper, graphic paper and the distribution of printing systems; it is printing systems which are the Commission's main concern at this stage in the proceedings. BT and VRG both distribute this kind of equipment in the Netherlands and Belgium. Constructive talks are going on between the Commission and the companies involved. The Commission hopes to complete the second stage of the inquiry rapidly. * * *
