The European Commission has produced a Statement of Objections to the UPS takeover of TNT which sets out the Commission’s provisional position on the competitive impact of the deal of the parcels delivery market in Europe.
At this stage the contents of the SO are confidential. UPS and TNT are expected to respond within a couple of weeks.
IN a statement the two companies said: “UPS and TNT Express believe competition in Europe continues to be significant, coming from multiple players who offer similar services. The combined company will help create a more efficient logistics market, thereby improving the competitiveness of Europe and the solutions offered to businesses and consumers. Those benefits include future improvements to e-commerce to help achieve the EU objective of a Digital Single Market.
“In addition, customers and consumers will benefit from a broader portfolio of services and better global access, along with lower supply-chain costs overall and improved service levels in terms of timing and reliability.”
A Statement of Objections is a formal step in Commission investigations into suspected violations of EU antitrust rules. The Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them and the companies can examine the documents on the Commission’s investigation file, reply in writing and request an oral hearing to present their comments on the case before representatives of the Commission and national competition authorities.
