AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

CONCRETE MARKET: COMPETITION AUTHORITY LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION TO VERIFY THE EXISTENCE OF TWO POSSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN COMPANIES ACTIVE IN VENETO

The measure was notified today to the companies General Beton Triveneta, Superbeton, Intermodale, Calcestruzzi Mosole, Jesolo Calcestruzzi, Ilsa Pacifici Remo, Calcestruzzi Dolomiti e F.lli Romor in the course of some inspections carried out in collaboration with the Competition group of Special Market Protection Unit of the Guardia di Finanza.

The Competition Authority, at a meeting on 7 May 2014, decided to launch an investigation to determine whether the actions of few companies active in the market for the production and sale of concrete in the province of Venice, "Mare" (“Seaside”) area (Jesolo/Caorle/San Dona’ di Piave) and in the province of Belluno, can form two anti-competitive agreements. The measure was notified today to the companies: General Beton Triveneta, Superbeton, Intermodale, Calcestruzzi Mosole, Jesolo Calcestruzzi, Ilsa Pacifici Remo, Calcestruzzi Dolomiti e F.lli Romor.

Some of the gathered evidence showed behaviours for the coordination of tenders and the division of the sites to be supplied in two different provincial markets, with mutual monitoring of current prices and volumes of concrete sold in order to maintain market shares to the agreed extent. In particular, companies had reportedly organised - separately for the two tables of Venice near the sea and Belluno - regular meetings between their representatives and a system for the exchange on an on-going basis of sensitive data, subject to a centralised management delegated to the services company Intermodale.

Such behaviour was reportedly guaranteed by a mechanism of control and punishment of deviant behaviour. The possible agreement in the market of Venezia Mare would have seen active the companies General Beton Triveneta, Superbeton, Calcestruzzi Mosole, Jesolo Calcestruzzi and Ilsa Pacifici Remo. In the province of Belluno the assumed agreement would involve Superbeton, Calcestruzzi Dolomiti e F.lli Romor; the service company Intermodale had reportedly participated in both. The investigation must be completed by 29 May 2015.

Rome, 13 May 2014