Author: 21st Century Competition

Germany: Sausage collusion lands fines for 21 firms (Competition Policy International)

Twenty-one sausage manufacturers in Germany were fined a total of $460 million after competition authorities found evidence the companies had colluded to fix sausage prices, reports say.

The nation’s Federal Cartel Office announced the sanctions on Tuesday and added that 33 individuals had also been penalized in the case. Herta, Wiesenhof …read more

EU: Whirlpool business boosted with latest deal (Competition Policy International)

Whirlpool stocks were bumped up after the world’s largest home appliance producer announced plans to acquire Italy’s Indesit.

According to reports, Whirlpool inked a deal with Fineldo to acquire its shares in the Italian company; the parties agreed on a $1.03 billion deal. In total, Whirlpool will nab a 66.8 percent …read more

Switzerland: Car leasers probed for price-fixing (Competition Policy International)

Car leasing companies in Switzerland were searched by competition authorities on suspicion of price-fixing, according to reports.

Switzerland’s Competition Commission released a statement Tuesday announcing that it had conducted several dawn raids of financing companies and that it has evidence the companies colluded to fix leasing rates Interest rates, commission and …read more

Austria: America Movil nabs majority Telekom Austria stake (Competition Policy International)

Mexico’s America Movil official has a majority stake in Telekom Austria, according to reports.

America Movil launched an offer for all outstanding Telekom Austria shares in May; late last week, the Mexican company closed the deal for more than $1 billion. America Movil now owns a 50.8 percent stake in the …read more