1.   

On 5 March 2021, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Kronospan Holdings P.L.C. (Germany, ‘Kronospan’), controlled by Peter Kaindl

—	M. Kaindl OG. (Austria, the ‘M. Kaindl’), currently currently jointly controlled by Peter Kaindl and Ines Benes-Kaindl.

Kronospan acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of M. Kaindl.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.   

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—	Kronospan is active worldwide in the production and sale of wood-based panels and their finishing,

—	M. Kaindl is active in the markets for wood-based materials, including raw and coated particleboard, raw and coated Medium Density Fibreboard (‘MDF’), High Density Fibreboard (‘HDF’), laminate flooring, components and decorative laminate.

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 the 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.10039 — Kronospan Holdings/M Kaindl

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

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË