The German Competition Regulator (Bundeskartellamt) has pointed out significant antitrust concerns in the proposed acquisition by Hunter Douglas GmbH, Düsseldorf (Hunter) of erfal GmbH & Co. KG, Falkenstein/Vogtland (Erfal). Hunter is a global manufacturer & a dominant player in the “market of systems used to produce interior window coverings”, especially window shades. In Germany, Hunter sells its systems & fabrics to fitters like Erfal. According to Bundeskartellamt, a consolidation between a manufacturer & consumer in the downstream market would have allowed Hunter to gain incentive to disadvantage its German competitors competing with erfal in the downstream market. Noting these concerns, the deal is being called off by the parties.
