The Competition Commission has prohibited the proposed acquisition of Jobling Investments by Sunset Bay Trading 368, stating that is likely to result in a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in the affected markets.

The commission said the transaction would deny rival distributors access to copper extrusions and extruded copper busbar products, thereby entrenching the barriers to the distribution market.

Further, it was found that the merged entity would be the largest firm in the copper products industry and that it would significantly increase the distribution of solid copper extrusions and extruded copper busbar.

Sunset Bay controls Copalcor, which distributes nonferrous metals and semifinished products through its stockists operation Copalcor Trading.

Jobling is the holding company of solid copper extrusions, extruded copper busbar and copper tubing manufacturer Maksal Tubes, which supplies Sunset Bay and Copalcor Trading, which distribute it tooriginal equipment manufacturers.
 

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