21.12.2017   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 440/35

1.

On 13 December 2017, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

APG and Ardian acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a portfolio of 10 companies.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for APG: provider of services such as executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer's services on behalf of collective pension schemes,

—   for Ardian: private equity group comprised of various management companies and investment funds which invest in companies involved in a wide range of business (such as healthcare, infrastructure, energy, consumer goods or new technologies sectors) throughout the world,

—   for the Portfolio: 10 companies active in the transport infrastructure sector (Spain and France), the energy infrastructure sector (France and Italy) and in the operation of a hospital concession (Italy).

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8597 — APG/Ardian/Portfolio

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below: