Planned acquisition
The planned merger (BWB/Z-6594) concerned the acquisition by MSZ of 100% of the shares in EAFINITY from RX Salzburg GmbH. RX Salzburg GmbH had previously transferred its trade fair operations to EAFINITY (organisation and staging of the trade fairs “Alles für den Gast”, “Hohe Jagd & Fischerei”, “Bauen und Wohnen” and “AutoZum” as well as other trade fairs in Salzburg and the “Elektrofachhandelstage” and “Smart Automation Austria” fairs in Linz).
Remedies to ensure effective competition
During the questioning of market participants and after obtaining additional information, the AFCA became aware that MSZ would also be acquiring a non-controlling minority shareholding in Design Center Linz Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG (“Design Center Linz”) via EAFINITY as part of the planned merger. MSZ and Design Center Linz are competitors in the market for exhibition venues in the field of renting out exhibition spaces to trade fair organisers. The minority shareholding in Design Center Linz includes rights to give consent, to obtain information and to exercise control. In the AFCA’s opinion, this raises competition concerns since MSZ could potentially receive competitively sensitive information from a direct competitor.
MSZ has undertaken to adhere to mandatory conditions (commitments), whereby it waives the rights to give consent, to obtain information and to exercise control. It will also refrain from appointing any representatives to the advisory council of Design Center Linz.
The AFCA and the Federal Cartel Prosecutor agree that the commitments fully address the competition concerns.
Commitments in case Z-6504 Messe Salzburg GmbH and EAFINITY Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH (currently available in German)