Sectors and Clients

Specialist retail

Holland & Barrett/Julian Graves (2009): RBB Economics advised Holland and Barrett on the UK Competition Commission investigation into its acquisition of Julian Graves — Holland & Barrett/Julian Graves, Competition Commission

GAME/Gamestation (2008): RBB Economics advised both parties in the merger of their computer game retail chains during its investigation by the UK Competition Commission — Game Group plc and Game Station Ltd, Competition Commission

Ottakar’s/Waterstones (2006): RBB Economics advised both parties in the merger of their bookshop chains during its investigation by the UK Competition Commission — HMV plc and Ottakar’s plc, Competition Commission

Boots/Unichem (2006): RBB Economics advised Unichem on its merger with Boots during the OFT investigation and subsequent appeal to the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal — OFT Case No. ME/2134/05

Dixons Stores Groups (DSG) (2003): RBB Economics advised DSG during the 2003 UK Competition Commission inquiry into the sale of extended warranties — Extended warranties on domestic electrical goods: A report on the supply of extended warranties on domestic electrical goods within the UK (Volumes 1, 2 and 3), Competition Commission

Chemicals and coatings

Kansai/Freeworld (2011): RBB Economics advised Kansai during the 2011 SA Competition Commission and SA Competition Tribunal investigation of its acquisition
of Freeworld — SA CT 53/AM/Jul11

Senmin/Cellulose Derivatives (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties in the 2012 SA Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal investigation into the Senmin (a unit of AECI) bid for Cellulose Derivatives, which produces CMC (mining chemicals) — SA CC case No. 2011 Oct 0316

Sasol (2009): RBB Economics advised Sasol during the 2010 SA Competition Commission investigation of the South African market for the supply of ammonia
and ammonia derivatives — SA CT Case No. 31/CR/May05

Shell (2008): RBB Economics assisted Shell in investigating the potential impact
of the wax cartel identified by the European Commission — EC Case No.39181

Solvay/Rhodia (2011): RBB Economics advised the parties during the
European Commission’s investigation of Solvay’s acquisition of Rhodia – EC Case
No. COMP/M.6230

DSM/Roche (2003): RBB Economics advised DSM during the 2003 European Commission investigation of its merger with the vitamins and fine chemicals division
of Roche — EC Case No.COMP/M.2972

Wholesaling

Masscash/Finro (2009): RBB Economics advised Masscash during the SA Competition Tribunal investigation of its merger with Finro — SA CT Case No. 04/LM/Jan09

Woolworth’s/Bertram (2007): RBB Economics advised Woolworth’s in its acquisition of book wholesaler Bertram during its investigation by the UK Competition Commission — Woolworths Group plc/Bertram Group Ltd, Competition Commission

Alliance Unichem (2007): RBB Economics advised Alliance Unichem during the OFT investigation of its agreement to be the exclusive distributor of Pfizer pharmaceuticals in the UK — Medicines Distribution, OFT Market Study

Transport and travel services

IAG/bmi (2012): RBB Economics advised IAG (the holding company of British Airways and Iberia) in connection with its successful application for regulatory clearance for the acquisition of British Midland (bmi) by the European Commission — EC Case No M.6447

Alpha Flight Group/LSG Lufthansa (2012): RBB Economics advised both parties during the UK Competition Commission investigation of their proposed joint venture in airline catering — Alpha Alpha Flight Group/LSG Lufthansa Competition Commission

Local bus services in the UK (2011): RBB Economics Advised The Go Ahead Group during the UK Competition Commission’s investigation into Local Bus Services in the UK — Local bus services market investigation, Competition Commission

American Airlines/British Airways/Iberia (2010): RBB Economics advised AA, BA and Iberia on the European Commission investigation of their alliance — EC Case No. COMP 39596

Zipcar/Streetcar (2010): RBB Economics advised both parties during the OFT and UK Competition Commission investigation of their merger — Zipcar and Streetcar, Competition Commission

Ryanair/Aer Lingus (2007): RBB Economics advised Ryanair during the 2007 European Commission investigation of its bid for Aer Lingus and in its subsequent appeal to the General Court — EC Case No. COMP/M.4439

SvitzerWijsmuller/Adsteam Marine (2007): RBB Economics advised Svitzer during the UK Competition Commission investigation of its merger with Adsteam Marine — SvitzerWijsmuller A/S and Adsteam Marine Ltd, Competition Commission

Travelport/Worldspan (2007): RBB Economics advised both merging parties during the investigation of their merger by the European Commission — EC Case No. COMP/M.4523

Music, gaming and entertainment

Tsogo Sun/Gold Reef (2011): RBB Economics advised Tsogo Sun during the South African Competition Tribunal investigation of its merger with Gold Reef – SA CT Case No. 26/LM/May10

Ticketmaster/Live Nation (2010): RBB Economics advised Ticketmaster during the UK Competition Commission investigation of its merger with Live Nation – Ticketmaster and Live Nation, Competition Commission

Sony/BMG (2007): RBB Economics advised the parties during the European Commission investigation of their merger, its appeal before the CFI, and its subsequent reinvestigation by the European Commission – EC Case No. COMP/M.3333

SISTIC (2011): RBB Economics acted as economic experts to SISTIC in connection with the company’s appeal against the Decision of the Competition Commission of Singapore before the Competition Appeals Board in Singapore – CAB Case 1/2010

Sony/EMI: RBB Economics advised Sony during the 2012 EC investigation of its bid for the music publishing assets of EMI – EC Case No.COMP/M.6459

Pulp, paper and packaging

Munksjo/Arjowiggins (2011): RBB Economics advised Munksjo during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of two paper mills from Arjowiggins — EC Case No.COMP/M.5950

Assidoman Cartonboard/Korsnäs (2006): RBB Economics advised Sveaskog during the European Commission investigation of the merger of the Assidoman Cartonboard and Korsnäs — EC CaseNo.COMP/M.4057

Crown (CarnaudMetalbox) (2003): RBB Economics advised Crown Holdings during
the Eurpean Commission investigation into the supply of food cans in the UK and Ireland
— Case closed with no action

Arjowiggins (2002): RBB Economics advised Arjowiggins during its appeal to the CFI
of the European Commission findings in its investigation of alleged cartel conduct in the supply of carbonless paper — EC Case No.36212

Freight and logistics

DFDS/Norfolk (2010): RBB Economics advised DFDS on its proposed acquisition of transport and freight service provider Norfolk during its investigation by the European Commission — EC Case No.COMP/M.5756

Freight Forwarding (2012): RBB Economics advised Panalpina during the European Commission’s investigation into alleged price fixing in the market for freight forwarding — EC Case No.39462

Freightliner Heavy Haul (FHH) v EWS (2008): RBB Economics advised FHH during its damages case against EWS before the UK Competition Appeals Tribunal — CAT Case No.1105/5/7/08

Rail Cargo Austria (RCA)/MAV (2008): RBB Economics advised RCA during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of MAV Cargo — EC Case No.COMP/M.5096

Electricity generation and distribution

Fortum/E.ON (2008): RBB Economics advised Fortum during its appeal to the Finnish Competition Court of the Finnish Competition Authority decision to block its acquisition of assets of E.ON — Finnish Market Court

EDF/British Energy (2008): RBB Economics advised EDF during the investigation by the European Commission of its merger with British Energy — EC Case No.COMP/M.5224

Shell (2006): RBB Economics advised Shell during the Ofgem investigation of the impact which its Sean gas field contract might have had on wholesale energy prices — Gas probe conclusions document, Ofgem

Endesa/Gas Natural (2005): RBB Economics advised Endesa during the investigation of its acquisition by Gas Natural — Competition Defence Tribunal Case No.C94/05

Fortum (2004): RBB Economics advised Fortum on the appropriate basis for assessing competition in the Nordic wholesale electricity market

Information and communication technology

Western Digital (WD)/Hitachi (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties to the European Commission investigation of the acquisition by WD of the hard disk drive business of Hitachi — EC Case No. COMP/M.6203

Oracle/Sun Microsystems (2010): RBB Economics advised Oracle during the investigation by the European Commission of its acquisition of Sun — EC Case No. COMP/M.5529

AMD v Intel (2009): RBB Economics advised AMD during the European Commission investigation of the rebate and selling practices of Intel — EC Case No. COMP 37990

Nokia/Navteq (2008): RBB Economics advised both parties in the European Commission and US DOJ investigations of their merger, in relation to the provision of digital maps and vehicle navigation services — EC Case No.M.4942

Telecommunications and cable TV

Google/Motorola Mobility (2012): RBB Economics advised Google during the European Commission’s investigation into its acquisition of Motorola — EC Case No.COMP/M.6381

Macquarie UK Broadcast Ventures/National Grid Wireless (NGW) (2008): RBB Economics advised Macquarie in the UK Competition Commission inquiry into its bid for NGW — Macquarie UK Broadcast Ventures / National Grid Wireless Group, Competition Commission

NTL/Telewest (2005): RBB Economics advised NTL during the investigation by the OFT of its merger with Telewest — OFT Case No.ME/2033/05

Cable & Wireless/Energis (2005): RBB Economics advised the merging parties in the investigation of their merger by the UK OFT — OFT Case No.ME/1917/05

UPC (2005): RBB Economics advised UPC during an investigation by the Dutch NMa into alleged excessive pricing — NMa Press Release 28 September 2005

Broadcasting

BSkyB/Ofcom (2011): RBB Economics presented expert economic advice at the UK Competition Appeals Tribunal on behalf of the English Premier League, regarding wholesale of premium sports rights — CAT Case Number 1179/8/3/11

Virgin Media/Sky (2009): RBB Economics were retained by Virgin Media to act as expert economic witness during Virgin’s high court claim against British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) for alleged abuse of dominance — case settled

Global Radio UK/GCap Media (2008): RBB Economics advised Global Radio during the UK OFT investigation of its acquisition of a number of local radio stations owned by GCap Media — OFT Case no. ME/3638/08

Carlton Communications/Granada (2003): RBB Economics advised Carlton TV throughout the UK Competition Commission investigation of its merger with Granada — Carlton Communications plc/Granada plc, Competition Commission

UEFA Champions League (2003): RBB Economics advised UEFA in the investigation by the European Commission of selling of TV rights to the Champions League — EC Case No. 37398

Construction and construction materials

Anglo-American/Lafarge (2012): RBB Economics advised both parties during the UK Competition Commission investigation of their proposed joint venture — Anglo-American plc/Lafarge SA, Competition Commission

AfriSam (2011): RBB Economics advised AfriSam during the SA Competition Commission investigation into alleged cartel activity in the South African cement industry — SA CC Case No. 2008JUN3769

Thomas Vale (2009): RBB Economics advised Thomas Vale during the UK OFT investigation into cover pricing by construction companies and the subsequent appeal to the Competition Appeals Tribunal — CAT Case No. 1132/1/1/09

Celsa Steel Services UK Ltd/BRC Ltd/Express Reinforcements Ltd/The ROM Group (2008): RBB Economics advised Celsa in the UK OFT investigation of its acquisition of BRC, Express, ROM — OFT Case No. ME/3964/08

Wienerberger/Baggeridge Brick (2007): RBB Economics advised both parties to the merger of their brick businesses during its investigation by the UK Competition Commission — Wienerberger Finance Service BV/Baggeridge Brick plc, Competition Commission

Industrial and automotive

Alo/MX (2009): RBB Economics advised both merging parties during the European Commission investigation of their merger — EC Case No.COMP/M.4989

GE/Smiths (2007): RBB Economics advised GE in the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of Smiths — EC Case No.COMP/M.4561

Metso/Aker Kvaerner (2006): RBB Economics advised both merging parties during the European Commission investigation of their merger — EC Case No.COMP/M.4187

Mittal/Arcelor (2006): RBB Economics advised Mittal on its acquisition of Arcelor during its investigation by the European Commission — EC Case No.COMP/M. 4137

Days Medical Aids (DMA) v Pihsiang (2004): RBB Economics advised DMA and acted as economic experts in competition litigation before the English High Court — High Court Case No: 2002 Folio 178 [2004] EWHC 44 (Comm)

Fuel and fuel retailing

Shell/Total (2011): RBB Economics advised Shell on its 2011 acquisition of a portfolio of Total motor fuel retail sites in the UK during its investigation by the UK OFT — OFT Case No.ME/5191/11

GB Oils/Pace Fuelcare (2011): RBB advised DCC on the acquisition of Pace Fuelcare by its subsidiary GB Oils during the OFT’s investigation, focussing on the distribution of heating oils in the UK — OFT Case No. ME/4924/11

StatoilHydro/Conoco Phillips (2008): RBB Economics advised Statoil during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of various Jet businesses in Scandinavia — EC Case No.COMP/M.4919

Topaz Energy/Statoil Ireland (2006): RBB Economics advised Topaz Energy during
the 2006 Irish Competition Commission investigation of its acquisition of Statoil Ireland
— Irish Competition Authority Case No.M/06/044

Total (2006): RBB Economics advised Total during the investigation by the Italian competition authorities into an alleged cartel in the supply of jet fuel — Italian Competition Authority Press Release 20 June 2006

Sasol/Engen (2004): RBB Economics advised Shell and BP on their intervention before the SA Competition Tribunal during its 2004 investigation of the merger of Sasol and Engen — SA CT Case No.101/LM/Dec04

Butagaz/Shell (2012): RBB Economics advised Butagaz/Shell in relation to the French Competition Authority’s investigation into alleged abuse of collective dominance in the supply of LPG — French Competition Authority’s decision No. 10-D-36

Media, media rights and advertising

South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) (2011): RBB Economics advised SAMPRA on its 2011 referral to the South African Copyright Tribunal — Notice 69 of 2009, Copyright Act 1978, Copyright Tribunal

Hearst/Lagardère (2011): RBB Economics advised Hearst during the 2011 UK OFT investigation of its acquisition of certain magazines from Lagardère — OFT Case No.ME/4971/11

De Telefoongids/Gouden Gids (2008): RBB Economics advised both parties to the acquisition of Gouden Gids by De Telefoongids during investigation by the Dutch NMa — NMa Press Release 28 August 2008

Google/Double-Click (2008): RBB Economics advised Google in the course of the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of Double-Click — EC Case No.COMP/M.4731

Aberdeen Journals (2002): RBB Economics advised Aberdeen Journals during the UK OFT investigation of alleged predation and subsequent appeal to the Competition Appeals Tribunal — OFT Case No.CA98/14/2002

Grocery retail

ASDA/Netto (2011): RBB Economics advised Netto throughout the UK OFT investigation of its acquisition by ASDA — OFT Case No. ME/4551/10

Walmart/Massmart (2010): RBB Economics advised both parties to the acquisition by Walmart of Massmart during its investigation by the South African Competition Tribunal — SA CT Case No. 73/LM/Nov10

Co-op/Carrefour (2008): RBB Economics advised Co-op in Switzerland on its purchase of Carrefour hypermarkets during its investigation by the Swiss Competition Commission — Annual Report 2008 of the Competition Commission

Somerfield/Morrison’s (2005): RBB Economics advised Somerfield during the UK OFT and UK Competition Commission inquiries into its acquisition of a portfolio of Morrison’s stores — OFT Case No. CR/34/09

Sainsbury’s/Safeway (2003): RBB Economics advised Sainsbury’s during the investigation of its bid for the Safeway grocery retail chain by the UK Competition Commission — Safeway plc et al, Competition Commission

Electrical equipment and components

Western Digital (WD)/Hitachi (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties to the European Commission investigation of the acquisition by WD of the hard disk drive business of Hitachi — EC Case No. COMP/M.6203

LCD (2010): RBB advised one of the manufacturers in the LCD industry during the European Commission’s cartel investigation — EC Case no COMP/39309

AMD v Intel (2009): RBB Economics advised AMD during the European Commission investigation of the rebate and selling practices of Intel — EC Case No. COMP 37990

BT (2006): RBB Economics advised BT during an investigation by Ofcom into the alleged abuse of dominance by BT in the supply of cordless handsets — Complaint against BT’s pricing of digital cordless phones, Ofcom

GE/Instrumentarium (2003): RBB Economics advised GE in 2003 during the European Commission investigation of its merger with Instrumentarium — EC Case No. COMP/M.3083

Healthcare

Integrated Dental Holdings/Associated Dental Practices (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties during the 2011 UK OFT investigation of their merger — OFT Press Release 64/11

Orbis/Atrium (2011): RBB Economics advised Orbis during the 2012 Dutch NMa investigation of its merger with Atrium — NMa Press Release 5 September 2011

Dutch health care authority (NZa) (2011): RBB Economics prepared a report for the NZa on buyer power and collective bargaining in the health care sector — www.nza.nl

Cinven/Classic Hospitals (2008): RBB Economics advised Spire Healthcare Limited (part of Cinven) during the investigation by the UK OFT of its acquisition of Classic Hospitals Group Ltd — OFT Case No.ME/3610/08

Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) v Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) (2007): RBB Economics advised the HSE on competition aspects of its dispute with IPU before the High Court — Irish High Court case No.2007IEHC 222

Nordic Capital/Handicare (2010): RBB Economics advised Nordic Capital on
the Dutch competition authority’s investigation into its acquisition of Handicare,
a manufacturer of inter alia electric wheelchairs

Food and dairy products

Royal Canin (2011): RBB Economics advised Royal Canin/Mars in the investigation by the French Competition Authority of vertical agreements such as RPM, territorial exclusivity, customer exclusivity and single-branding – French Competition Authority decision
No. 12-D-10

Campina/Friesland Foods (2008): RBB Economics advised both parties during the investigation of the merger of their dairy businesses by the European Commission —
EC Case No. COMP/M.5046

Fyffes (2008): RBB Economics advised Fyffes and its German subsidiary Interweichert during the European Commission investigation of information exchange between banana importers — EC Case No. COMP 39188

Heinz/HP (2006): RBB Economics advised Heinz on its acquisition of HP Foods during its investigation by the UK Competition Commission — HJ Heinz and HP Foods, Competition Commission

Cargill/Degussa Food Ingredients (2006): RBB Economics advised Cargill on acquisition of Degussa Food Ingredients during its investigation by the European Commission (lecithin) — EC Case No. COMP/M.3975

Fast-moving consumer goods (non-food)

Imperial Tobacco (2011): RBB Economics advised Imperial during the OFT investigation and Competition Appeal Tribunal hearings into its retail agreements — CAT Case
No. 1160/1/1/10

Hasbro (2003): RBB Economics advised Hasbro during the UK OFT investigations into restrictive arrangements in the wholesaling and retailing of toys and games — OFT Case No. CA98/8/2003

Pharmaceuticals and medical devices

Merck/Schering Plough (2009): RBB Economics advised Merck during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of Schering Plough — EC Case No. COMP/M.5502

GE/Abbott Diagnostics Division (2007): RBB Economics advised GE during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of the in vitro diagnostics business of Abbott — EC Case No. COMP/M.4569

Reckitt Benckiser/Boots (2006): RBB Economics advised Reckitt Benckiser during the European Commission investigation of its acquisition of the pharmaceutical division of Boots — EC Case No. COMP/M.4007

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Ltd (2006): RBB Economics advised Novartis during a UK OFT investigation of alleged abuse of dominance — OFT case closed 20/3/2006 (OFT Annual Report 2005-2006)

Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Guidant (2005): RBB Economics advised J&J during the European Commission investigation of its merger with Guidant — EC Case No. COMP/M.3687

GE/Instrumentarium (2003): RBB Economics advised GE in 2003 during the European Commission investigation of its merger with Instrumentarium — EC Case No. COMP/M.3083

Mining and forestry

MTO/Boskor (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties during the 2010 South African Competition Commission investigation of their merger and their appeal hearing before the South African Competition Tribunal — SA CT Case No. 10/AM/Feb11

BHP Billiton/Rio Tinto (2008): RBB Economics advised BHP Billiton on the European Commission investigation of its bid for Rio Tinto — EC Case No. COMP/M.4985

Thaba Chueu/SamQuarz: RBB Economics advised both parties during the South African Competition Tribunal investigation of their 2011 merger

Banking and financial services

Moodys (2012): RBB Economics advised Moody’s in relation to the European Commission’s proposal for new regulation and directive regarding credit rating agencies

National Australia Bank (NAB)/AXA (2010): RBB Economics advised NAB in its proposed acquisition of AXA APH — ACCC Case No. 39761

HBOS (2009): RBB Economics advised HBOS during the UK Competition Commission inquiry into the provision of payment protection insurance — Market Investigation into Payment Protection Insurance, Competition Commission

First National Bank (FNB) (2008): RBB Economics provided advice to FNB throughout the South African Competition Tribunal investigation of the banking sector — Banking Enquiry of the Competition Commission of South Africa

Lloyds TSB/HBOS (2008): RBB Economics advised HBOS during its acquisition by Lloyds TSB — Decision by Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, not to refer to the Competition Commission the merger between Lloyds TSB Group plc and HBOS plc under Section 45 of the Enterprise Act 2002

Aviva/Allied Irish Bank (2006): RBB Economics provided advice and support to the parties during the investigation of their merger by the European Commission and Irish Competition Authority — EC Case No. COMP/M.4047

Drinks and drink distribution

Coca-Cola Iceland (2011): RBB Economics assisted Coca-Cola and its local bottler in the investigation by the Icelandic Competition Authority into retail contracts in the sector — Icelandic Competition Authority Case No.11/2011

COFEPP/QFS (2011): RBB Economics advised both parties during the French Competition Authority’s phase II investigation of COFEPP’s acquisition of branded and unbranded spirits producer QFS – French Competition Authority decision 11-DCC-187

Coca-Cola/Innocent (2009): RBB Economics advised Coca-Cola on its acquisition of an equity stake in the owner of Innocent fruit drinks and smoothies during its investigation by the UK OFT — OFT Case No.ME4091/09

Heineken/Scottish & Newcastle (2008): RBB Economics advised Heineken during the Irish Competition Authority’s investigation of its acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle’s Irish subsidiary Beamish & Crawford — Irish Competition Authority case No.M08/011

Heineken (2007): RBB Economics advised Heineken during the European Commission investigations of its distribution arrangements in various countries — EC Case No.37766

Coca-Cola EC (2005): RBB Economics advised Coca-Cola and several bottlers in the investigation by the European Commission of a variety of rebate and contractual practices — EC Case No.COMP/A.39.116/B2

Our expertise spans virtually all areas of industry and commerce.