The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application from Woolworths Group Limited (Woolworths) seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Beak & Johnston Holdings Pty Ltd (Beak & Johnston).
The statement outlined the key competition issues that the Commission considered important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance to the proposed acquisition.
The proposed acquisition represented a strategic opportunity for Woolworths to strengthen its supply chain capabilities and expand its portfolio of private-label products.
It could also provide Woolworths with direct access to Beak & Johnston’s established brands, product innovation expertise, and manufacturing infrastructure.
Beak & Johnston is a prominent manufacturer and supplier of food products with facilities in both New Zealand and Australia. The company specialises in producing chilled and frozen ready-to-eat meals, ambient soups, and slow-cooked meats. These products are distributed under well-known brands, including Pitango, Artisano, Ready Chef, Beak & Sons, and Strength Meals Co.
The Commission is currently scheduled to make a decision on the application by the 12th of March 2025.
However, this date may be extended with the agreement of the applicant if the material before the Commission at that time does not allow it to be satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market in New Zealand.
The Statement of Preliminary Issues and a public version of the application can be found on the Commission’s case register.
The Commerce Commission invited interested parties to provide comments on the likely competitive effects of the proposed acquisition by the 24th of February 2025.
