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Britain’s competition watchdog has threatened to launch an in-depth investigation into the merger of Turkey’s Arçelik and the European operations of US-based Whirlpool Group, two of Europe’s largest home appliance makers.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it was concerned that a merger between Arçelik, which owns the Beko and Grundig brands, and Whirlpool, which owns the Hotpoint and Indesit brands, could lead to a “significant reduction in competition”.
The partnership could also lead to “increased prices or reduced customer choice or quality,” the regulator said.
The CMA launched its investigation in August after Arçelik announced in January that he would buy a majority stake in Whirlpool’s European operations.
The regulator said the combined company would become the UK’s largest supplier of washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cookers, a market worth more than £3.8 billion a year.
The CMA will now launch an in-depth investigation into the merger unless Arçelik offers to address its concerns by October 5.
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