CCPC clears Dawn Meats’ purchase of Kildare Chilling
September 22, 2023
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cleared the proposed acquisition of Kildare Chilling Unlimited Company (Kildare Chilling) by Dawn Meats Ireland Unlimited Company (Dawn Meats) (M/23/006).
Dawn Meats’ activities consist of slaughtering, processing and sale of beef and lamb meat products, and rendering of related products. Dawn Meats operates seven sites across the State, focusing in particular on beef processing. Kildare Chilling, which operates a single site in Kildare town, is active in slaughtering and deboning cattle and sheep, and selling the resulting fresh meat cuts and by-products.
The proposed acquisition was originally notified to the CCPC in February 2023. Following an extended preliminary investigation, the CCPC determined in June 2023 that a full investigation was required to establish if the proposed acquisition would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the State.
In the course of its investigation, the CCPC examined how the proposed acquisition would affect competition in several potential markets, including: the purchase of live cattle for slaughter within a 100km radius of Kildare Chilling’s slaughterhouse and in the State; the purchase of live lamb and sheep for slaughter in the State; the sale of fresh lamb and beef meat to grocery retailers in the State; and, the sale of fresh lamb and beef meat to industrial processors in the State. The CCPC engaged with a wide range of third parties and issued requests for further information to both Dawn Meats and Kildare Chilling during this review.
Following detailed examination of the evidence available, it is apparent to the CCPC that there will remain a sufficient number of competitors in each of the potential markets considered, and that Dawn Meats and Kildare Chilling are not particularly close competitors in any of these potential markets. As a result, the CCPC has determined that the proposed acquisition will not substantially lessen competition and can be put into effect.
The CCPC will publish its full determination on its website no later than 60 working days after the date of the determination and after allowing the parties the opportunity to request that confidential information be removed from the published version. Information about the merger notification can be found at M/23/006 – Dawn Meats/Kildare Chilling.
| TRANSACTION TIMELINES | |
| Notification | 7 February 2023 |
| Requirements for further information issued to Dawn Meats and Kildare Chilling | 20 February 2023 |
| Information received | 12 May 2023 |
| Phase 1 determination | 23 June 2023 |
| Phase 2 requirements for further information issued to Dawn Meats and Kildare Chilling | 19 July 2023 |
| Information received | 28 August 2023 |
| Phase 2 determination | 20 September 2023 |
