IP/08/231
Brussels, 13th February 2008
Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of SAG by EQT The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of SAG GmbH of Germany by the private equity fund EQT V Ltd. of the Channel Islands. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. SAG is active in energy-related products and services to the utility and industry sector, including the provision of services related to the cable network to cable companies. One of EQT's portfolio companies is Kabel BW, a German cable network operator, mainly active in Baden-Württemberg.
The proposed concentration would give rise to a vertical overlap between SAG and Kabel BW, as the latter is a customer of SAG for cable related works services, information technology grid management and geographic information services.
However, the change brought about by the proposed transaction would be limited and would not give rise to any particular competition concerns. Cable operators only represent a small part of SAG customers and customers would continue to have several alternative suppliers.
Further information on the case will be available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/index/m100.html#m_5014
