The European Commission has cleared unconditionally the acquisition of sole control of the electronic security business of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (‘Stanley Security') of the US by Securitas AB (‘Securitas') of Sweden. Stanley Security and Securitas are security service providers, both active in the installation and maintenance of electronic guarding equipment and alarm monitoring and response services. Securitas also provides manned guarding services.
The transaction results in a number of horizontal and non-horizontal links between the companies' activities in the markets for the provision of security services in several countries in the EEA. After a detailed investigation in pre-notification and Phase I, the EC concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no horizontal competition concerns, in particular due to the buyer power enjoyed by certain customers. Moreover, the merged entity would not have the ability to engage in foreclosure practices. RBB assisted Securitas throughout the EC process, working alongside law firms K&L Gates and Freshfields.
