Apresentação
Este é um informativo diário que traz para o(a) leitor (a) notícias e casos de defesa da concorrência das principais jurisdições antitruste do mundo (CADE, FTC, Comissão Europeia, CMA etc).
Notícias
Jury Convicts Two Executives in Longstanding Antitrust Conspiracy to Fix Prices, Rig Bids and Allocate Markets for Concrete
Friday, July 12, 2024Share
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
A jury convicted Gregory and David Melton yesterday in the U.S. District Court in Savannah, Georgia, for their role in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids and allocate markets for sales of ready-mix concrete in Georgia and South Carolina. The conspiracy, which began as early as 2010 and continued until about July 2016, involved coordinating price-increase letters to customers, allocating specific jobs in the coastal Georgia area and submitting bids to customers at collusive and noncompetitive prices.
Including yesterday’s verdicts, this investigation resulted in five criminal convictions and one deferred prosecution agreement. Defendants James Pedrick, Timothy Strickland and Strickland’s company, Evans LLC, previously pleaded guilty as a part of the same conspiracy. Pedrick’s former employer, Argos USA LLC, previously entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Antitrust Division, admitted to its participation in the conspiracy and agreed to pay a $20 million criminal penalty.
“Concrete is essential to our nation’s infrastructure,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s guilty verdicts reflect the Antitrust Division’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for cheating American consumers out of the opportunity to purchase necessary building materials free of corruption and collusion. The division and its law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize their work prosecuting individuals responsible for this illegal and unethical conduct.”
“Customers expect to receive fair value for construction materials – not to enrich unscrupulous vendors who collude to unfairly increase their profits,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia. “This verdict makes it clear that our office and law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who violate the law to pad their bottom line.”
“Bid rigging and fraud schemes are serious criminal actions that adversely impact the competitive contracting marketplace,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph Harris of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Southern Region. “Today’s conviction should serve to deter individuals and companies from engaging in deceptive practices that violate federal regulations and the public’s trust.”
“The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, along with our other federal law enforcement partners, secured a victory with today’s guilty verdict in our fight against bid-rigging and collusion,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The USPS OIG will vigorously investigate those who would engage in harmful anticompetitive practices, and we continue to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying and reporting those engaged in this type of activity.”
Violating the Sherman Act, which is a federal criminal antitrust statute, is a felony. The maximum penalty for individuals convicted of violating the Sherman Act is 10 years in prison and a $1 million criminal fine. The fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office, DOT OIG and USPS OIG investigated the case.
Attorneys Patrick S. Brown and Julia M. Maloney of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Greg Gilluly Jr. for the Southern District of Georgia prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance from Assistant Chief Megan Lewis and Trial Attorney Daniel A. Loveland of the Antitrust Division.
In November 2019, the Justice Department created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.
Updated July 12, 2024
Aurizon’s proposed acquisition of Flinders Logistics raises concerns
Date
11 July 2024
Topics
The ACCC has identified preliminary competition concerns with Aurizon’s (ASX:AZJ) proposed acquisition of Flinders Logistics Pty Ltd in a Statement of Issues published today.
Flinders Logistics operates a stevedoring and logistics business for bulk and limited break-bulk cargo at Port Adelaide and at Port Pirie, South Australia.
Aurizon is a national freight company which provides rail haulage to and from Port Adelaide.
“We are concerned that the proposed acquisition may substantially lessen competition in the supply of rail haulage services for the import and export of containerised bulk minerals in South Australia,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.
Berth 29 is a critical berth at Port Adelaide for the import and export of certain mining products and minerals sands, and is the only berth in South Australia capable of handling these products, according to feedback received by the ACCC.
“The proposed acquisition would bring together Australia’s largest rail freight operator with a key provider of stevedoring and port logistics services at Berth 29,” Ms Carver said.
Following the proposed acquisition, Aurizon would be responsible for the loading and unloading of all trains at Berth 29. The ACCC is concerned that this may provide Aurizon with the ability and incentive to limit the access of competing rail haulage providers to Berth 29.
The ACCC is also concerned that the proposed acquisition may substantially lessen competition in the supply of stevedoring services for bulk commodities at Berth 29.
“Although Aurizon would not be responsible for granting stevedoring licenses, market participants have raised concerns that this acquisition may give Aurizon the ability and incentive to prevent rival stevedores from competing at Berth 29 by restricting access to critical areas, such as hardstand and storage areas,” Ms Carver said.
The potential lessening of competition in the supply of rail haulage, stevedoring or port logistics services for bulk commodities at Berth 29 is also a concern to the ACCC as it could result in higher prices or lower quality services for bulk cargo customers.
“Overall, we think this proposed acquisition could mean higher prices for bulk cargo customers in industries critical to the Australian economy,” Ms Carver said.
The ACCC invites submissions in response to the Statement of Issues by 25 July 2024.
More information and the Statement of Issues is available on the ACCC’s public register here: Aurizon Holdings Limited – Flinders Logistics Pty Ltd
Background
Aurizon is an ASX listed freight company that primarily supplies rail freight services to customers throughout Australia, excluding Tasmania.
Aurizon supplies ‘above rail’ services, including locomotives and wagons to transport freight for coal, mining, industrial and agricultural industries.
In addition to its above rail business, Aurizon supplies ‘below rail’ services, which involves providing access to and managing rail infrastructure safety, signalling and communication systems, train control, rail construction, and maintenance.
Aurizon operates the Central Queensland Rail Network and the Tarcoola to Darwin railway, as well as other spurs, yards, and sidings throughout Australia.
Flinders Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Flinders Port Holdings Pty Ltd (Flinders Port Holdings). Flinders Ports owns and operates seven ports in South Australia, including Port Adelaide and Port Pirie.
Port Adelaide is the most significant port in South Australia and facilitates the import and export of a variety of goods, such as minerals, grain, motor vehicles, petroleum, and containerised general cargo. Port Pirie is significantly smaller than Port Adelaide, and primarily handles bulk minerals, coal, and grain.
Flinders Logistics supplies stevedoring, logistics and warehousing services to importers and exporters of bulk commodities at Berths 18-20 and Berth 29 at Port Adelaide and at Port Pirie. Flinders Logistics supplies cargo handling services at Port Pirie through its subsidiary, Pirie Bulk Pty Ltd.
Release number
83/24
General enquiries
Contact us to report an issue or make an enquiry.
Media enquiries
Media Team – 1300 138 917, media@accc.gov.au
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Benoît Cœuré présente le rapport annuel 2023
Publié le 15 juillet 2024
L’Autorité présentait lundi 15 juillet son rapport annuel à la presse. A cette occasion, Benoît Cœuré, président de l’Autorité de la concurrence, est revenu sur les grands dossiers de 2023 et a présenté les priorités d’action pour les prochains mois.
Au cours de l’année écoulée, l’Autorité de la concurrence a rendu 302 avis et décisions et a prononcé 167,6 millions d’euros de sanctions. En matière de contrôle des concentrations, elle a enregistré un nouveau record avec 300 notifications d’opérations. 266 opérations de concentrations ont été examinées dont 4 décisions ont été rendues sous réserve de la mise en œuvre d’engagements par les parties. L’Autorité a également rendu deux décisions de passage en examen approfondi (Select Services Partner et Smartbox/Wonderbox).
En matière contentieuse et consultative, l’Autorité est intervenue dans de nombreux secteurs de l’économie, avec une attention particulière portée à ceux du numérique, de la distribution et de la grande consommation. Elle a par exemple sanctionné trois organismes professionnels de conserveurs, le syndicat des fabricants de boites ainsi que 11 entreprises pour avoir mis en œuvre une stratégie collective visant à empêcher les industriels du secteur de se faire concurrence sur la question de la présence ou non de bisphénol A dans les contenants alimentaires.
Au cours des derniers mois, l’Autorité a rendu public plusieurs avis d’envergure, comme son avis sur le fonctionnement concurrentiel sur le secteur du cloud, son avis sur les transports terrestres de personnes ou plus récemment sur les infrastructures de recharge pour véhicules électriques et sur l’intelligence artificielle générative.
Enfin, en 2023, l’Autorité a également eu l’occasion lors de 6 avis de se prononcer sur les conditions d’installation de nouveaux professionnels chez les avocats au Conseil d’Etat et à la Cour de cassation, les notaires et les commissaires de justice ainsi que sur les projet de code de déontologie de ces professions.
Au-delà de son bilan, l’Autorité revient sur les grands enjeux et défis à relever. Pleinement mobilisée dans la défense du pouvoir d’achat, l’Autorité poursuit également son action en faveur du développement durable comme en atteste la publication de ses orientations informelles en matière de développement durable
RAPPORT ANNUEL 2023 VERSION INTERACTIVE
Ouvrons grand la compétition
Atos de concentração – Decisões
CADE
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004374/2024-02.
Requerentes: Schlumberger Limited e ChampionX Corporation. Advogados: Marcelo Calliari, Guilherme Ribas, Michelle Machado, Paulo Luciano Júnior e outros. Decido pela aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004766/2024-63
Requerentes: Lesaffre et Cie SA e DSM Food Specialties B.V. Advogados: Cristianne Saccab Zarzur, Jackson Ferreira, e Daniel Williams C. Veiga. Decido pela aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004761/2024-31
Requerentes: Movilway Payment Ltda., Grupocard Holding Ltda. e Cardway Holding S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004577/2024-91
Requerentes: IBM e Palo Alto Networks. Advogadas: Leonor Cordovil, Beatriz Cravo, Leticia Barros e Tais Baldini. Decido pela aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº nº 08700.004576/2024-46
Requerentes: BR 165 Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda. e GDP Patrimonial Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004463/2024-41
Requerentes: GRI – Gerenciamento de Resíduos Industriais S.A. e Cetrel S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Comissão Europeia
CVC / PON / URUS
Merger
Last decision date: 12.07.2024 Super simplified procedure
RENAULT / PLUG POWER / HYVIA
Merger
Last decision date: 12.07.2024 Simplified procedure
CMA
Vodafone / CK Hutchison JV merger inquiry
- The CMA is investigating the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited.
- Updated: 12 July 2024
Atos de concentração – Ingressos
CADE
| Ato de concentração | Requerentes | Descrição da operação | Ingresso | Rito | Edital |
| 08700.004822/2024-60 | Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estácio de Sá Ltda.; Instituto Cultural Newton Paiva Ferreira Ltda. | Nos termos do Contrato de Compra e Venda de Quotas e Outras Avenças (“Contrato”), a Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estácio de Sá Ltda. (“SESES” ou “Compradora”) pretende adquirir a totalidade das quotas representativas de 100% do capital social total e votante do Instituto Cultural Newton Paiva Ferreira Ltda. (“Newton Paiva” ou “NP”). A Newton Paiva é mantenedora do Centro Universitário Newton Paiva (“IES NP” e, em conjunto com a Newton Paiva, “Empresa-Alvo”), atualmente de titularidade da Morus Educacional Participações S.A. (“Morus”), Splice do Brasil – Telecomunicações e Eletrônica S.A. (“Splice do Brasil”) e Associação Cultural de Renovação Tecnológica – ACRTS (“ACRTS” e, juntamente com Morus e Splice do Brasil, as “Vendedoras”) (“Operação”). | 09.07.2024 | Ordinário | |
| 08700.004853/2024-11 | EDF EN do Brasil Participações Ltda.; LDA Energia S.A. | A operação consiste na aquisição, pela EDF EN do Brasil Participações Ltda. (“EDFR”) ou afiliada, de direitos e ativos referentes a projetos de energia fotovoltaica, ainda em desenvolvimento (não-operacional), que integrarão um complexo a ser implementado no Município de Urandi, no Estado da Bahia (“BA”) (“Complexo Fotovoltaico Urandi”) (“Projeto Fotovoltaico”), atualmente detidos pela LDA Energia S.A. (“LDA” e, em conjunto com EDFR, “Partes” ou “Requerentes”) (“Operação”). | 10.07.2024 | Sumário | 12.07.2024 |
| 08700.004833/2024-40 | Rima Industrial S.A.; Casa dos Ventos S.A. | A operação proposta consiste no exercício de opção de compra, pela Rima Industrial S.A. (“Rima”), de participação acionária adicional, atualmente detida pela Casa dos Ventos S.A. (“CDV” e, em conjunto com Rima, “Requerentes”), na RDVE Subholding S.A. (“RDVE” ou “Sociedade-Alvo”) (a “Operação”). | 09.07.2024 | Sumário | 12.07.2024 |
| 08700.004811/2024-80 | CCISA177 Incorporadora Ltda.; HM ENGENHARIA E CONSTRUÇÕES S.A. | A operação proposta (“Operação”) consiste em aquisição, pela CCISA177 Incorporadora Ltda. (“CCISA177” ou “Compradora”), de imóveis contíguos localizados no município do São Paulo/SP (“Imóveis”), atualmente detidos por subsidiárias integrais da HM Engenharia e Construções S.A. (“HM” ou “Vendedora” e, em conjunto com a Compradora, “Partes”), para o futuro desenvolvimento de um empreendimento imobiliário residencial (“Empreendimento”). | 08.07.2024 | Sumário | 12.07.2024 |
| 08700.004812/2024-24 | REC Syslog Guarulhos I S.A.; REC Syslog Guarulhos II S.A.; REC Syslog Guarulhos III S.A.; TAG Bom Sucesso Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda. | A operação notificada envolve a aquisição, pela REC Syslog Guarulhos I S.A., REC Syslog Guarulhos II S.A. e REC Syslog Guarulhos III S.A. (em conjunto, as “Compradoras”), de imóveis situados no município de Guarulhos/SP (“Imóveis-Alvo”), de propriedade da TAG Bom Sucesso Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda. (“Vendedora” e, em conjunto com as Compradoras, as “Partes”) (a “Operação”). | 08.07.2024 | Sumário | 12.07.2024 |
| 08700.004766/2024-63 | Lesaffre et Compagnie AS; DSM Food Specialties B.V. | Em 8 de junho de 2024, Lesaffre et Compagnie SA (“Lesaffre” ou “Compradora”) e DSM Food Specialties B.V. (“DSMFS” ou “Vendedora”), uma subsidiária da DSM Firmenich AG (“Grupo DSMF-Firmenich”), celebraram um Signing Protocol relacionado a um Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”), através do qual a Lesaffre irá adquirir determinados ativos do negócio de extrato de levedura (“yeast extract” ou “YE”) da Vendedora, que é parte integrante da sua unidade de negócios de Sabor, Textura & Saúde (“TTH”) (“Negócio-Alvo”) (“Operação Proposta”). A Compradora, a Vendedora e o Negócio-Alvo são conjuntamente denominados como as “Partes” ou as “Requerentes”. | 05.07.2024 | Sumário | 12 |