Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS NEWS: EC approves acquisition of Airbus Defence Electronics by KKR, (Jun 7, 2016)

By Edward L. Puzzo, J.D.

The European Commission (EC) has approved under the European Union (EU) Merger Regulation KKR's acquisition of Airbus Defence Electronics, it has been announced.

Airbus Defence Electronics is comprised of three businesses: Airbus DS Optronics GmbH; Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security GmbH, both of Germany; and Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security SAS of France. Airbus Defence Electronics manufactures and sells sensor systems, military radars and communications, electronic warfare, and optronics. KKR of the U.S. owns and manages private equity funds investing in companies active in a variety of sectors. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because the companies’ activities do not overlap and they are not active in related markets.

Duck Creek acquisition. Separately, the EC has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the joint acquisition of Duck Creek of the U.S. by Apax Partners of the U.K. and Accenture of Ireland. Duck Creek is a global provider of software solutions for the non-life insurance sector. Apax Partners manages private equity funds in a broad range of sectors. Accenture provides services related to strategy, management, technology, and IT systems. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because neither Accenture nor the companies controlled by Apax Partners are active in the same market as Duck Creek or in related markets.

DaVita Care acquisition. Finally, the EC has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of DaVita Care Pte. Ltd. (DaVita) of Singapore by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Mitsui & Co., Ltd and DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc. (DVHP). DaVita operates local dialysis centers and provides hospital management consultation services related to kidney care and dialysis in five countries in Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, and Taiwan. Khazanah is the Government of Malaysia’s strategic investment fund. Mitsui is a Japanese global trading company. DVHP, headquartered in the United States, provides a variety of healthcare services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because DaVita has no business activity in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Companies: Airbus Defence Electronics; KKR; Duck Creek; Apax Partners; Accenture; DaVita Care Pte. Ltd.; Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Mitsui & Co., Ltd; DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc.

News: AcquisitionsMergers Antitrust