Press Release: Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed take-over of Denton by HgCapital

The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the planned acquisition of sole control of Denton of the US by the UK-based financial investment group HgCapital, owner of FTSS. The proposed concentration was originally notifiable to several Member States. However, Hg Capital asked for the case to be referred to the Commission and the Member States agreed to let the case be reviewed under the EU Merger Regulation. Denton and FTSS are the world's two largest suppliers of anthropomorphic testing devices, better known as 'crash test dummies', and also produce other devices used for safety tests in the car industry. An in-depth investigation will enable the Commission to assess the effects of this transaction on competition and customers, as early indications show it could lead to the creation of a quasi monopoly on a worldwide level. The Commission has now 90 working days, until 4 October 2007 to take a final decision on whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a substantial part of it. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation.