By Ian Walker

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Tuesday that it is considering whether Arcelik's planned acquisition of Whirlpool's EMEA major domestic appliances business will lead to a relevant merger situation within its markets.

The regulator said it is considering whether the deal will lead to a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the U.K. for goods or services.

Ahead of a formal investigation the CMA is inviting comments from interested parties and has set a deadline of July 25 for them.

Whirlpool said in January that it had agreed to sell its Middle East and Africa business to Arcelik.

In addition, Whirlpool said that it was merging its European major domestic appliance business into a new jointly owned company with Arcelik who would contribute its major domestic appliance, consumer electronics, air conditioning, and small domestic appliance businesses.

The new business would be 25%-owned by Whirlpool with the rest owned by Arcelik and is expected to have combined sales of over 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion).


Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-11-23 0238ET