Bundeskartellamt imposes fines on manufacturers of automatic door systems
25.07.2012
On 20 July 2012 the Bundeskartellamt imposed fines totalling approx. 2.4 million Euro on eight manufacturers of automatic door systems and their association, as well as one senior member of staff, on account of several illegal agreements. The eight companies and their association are
- Assa Abloy Entrance Systems GmbH, Dieburg,
- Blasi GmbH, Mahlberg,
- Boon Edam GmbH, Düsseldorf,
- Dorma Automatic GmbH + Co. KG KT Systeme, Ennepetal,
- Geze GmbH, Leonberg,
- Kaba Gallenschütz GmbH, Bühl,
- Landert Motoren AG, Bülach/Switzerland,
- record Türautomation GmbH, Wuppertal, and
- Wirtschaftsvereinigung Industrie- und Bausysteme e. V., Hagen, (WIB).
Automatic door systems allow for unimpeded passage in entry, exit or thoroughfare situations.
The President of the Bundeskartellamt, Andreas Mundt: "The illegal agreements concerned uniform price ranges for certain manufacturer services, as well as the standardization of rebates, hourly rates and flat rate call out charges used in the internal invoicing of spare parts and subcontractor services. The fines imposed are moderate and take sufficient account of the nature and gravity of the illegal agreements."
The agreements were partly concluded within the context of the association's activities and with the involvement of WIB staff, which as a consequence was fined as well. The proceedings were initiated in 2009, after an application for leniency by two other automatic door manufacturers, GU Automatic GmbH, Rheda-Wiedenbrück, and GU Service GmbH & Co. KG, Ditzingen, against which no fines were imposed in accordance with the Bundeskartellamt’s Leniency Programme. Both companies belong to the Gretsch-Unitas company group. The companies Blasi and record, which applied for leniency at a later stage in the proceedings, were given a reduced fine.
The orders imposing the fines are not yet final and can be appealed to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. However, with the exception of Geze GmbH, all the companies and their employees have agreed to have their proceedings terminated by way of a settlement. 