Mergers between manufacturers of locking systems

25.08.2015

The Bundeskartellamt has cleared two mergers between manufacturers of locking systems. The merger plans of the companies DORMA Holding GmbH + Co. KGaA, Ennepetal, and Kaba Holding AG, Rümlang (Switzerland), as well as the merger plans of Allegion Luxemburg Holding & Financing S.à.r.l., Luxemburg (Luxemburg), and SimonsVoss Technologies GmbH, Unterföhring, were notified to the Bundeskartellamt separately but examined simultaneously by the authority.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: "The four companies Dorma, Kaba, Allegion and SimonsVoss are major players in the German market for locking systems. Nevertheless our examination has shown that both merger projects are not expected to significantly impede effective competition in the market. Customers will still have a number of other strong competitors to choose from in Germany and its neighbouring European countries."

The authority's investigations have also shown that the sector has changed since the Bundeskartellamt's prohibition decision in the Assa Abloy/SimonsVoss case in 2008 which was later confirmed by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. Since then new players have entered the market and in technical terms the sector has developed further. For instance, a number of solutions offering the wireless connection of locking systems with home technology and security technology systems have gained importance. These include systems in which a mobile phone can be used as a key. The large number of other merger projects which the Bundeskartellamt has recently examined indicates that there is much movement in the sector and pressure to consolidate.

Logo: Offene Märkte | Fairer Wettbewerb

Use of cookies

Cookies help us to provide our services. By using our website you agree that we can use cookies. Read more about our Privacy Policy and visit the following link: Privacy Policy

OK