Educational Supplies Firms Abandon Merger During CMA Investigation

2nd November 2020

Update 2 November 2020.

YPO has abandoned its proposed deal with Findel. The CMA published its provisional findings outlining its concerns about the merger last month.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has therefore today confirmed it intends to cancel its investigation into the potential competition concerns that could be raised by the merger.

Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) and Findel Education Limited (Findel) are 2 of the leading suppliers of educational resources in the UK supplying stationery, furniture, and art and science materials to educational institutions, such as schools and nurseries. YPO announced its planned £50 million purchase of Findel last year.

The CMA had been carrying out an in-depth Phase 2 investigation and, last month, provisionally found that the merger was likely to leave educational institutions worse off with fewer alternative suppliers and worse terms when purchasing resources. The CMA's initial view was that blocking YPO's purchase of Findel was likely to be an effective remedy to the concerns identified.

YPO has now decided to abandon the deal and so the CMA will be cancelling its investigation.

Merger Enquiry Page

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/yorkshire-purchasing-findel-education-merger-inquiry

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16 October 2020

Schools Could Lose Out In Educational Supplies Merger

Don't be fooled by the innocuous title of this item if you are not involved in Procurement. This is about a multi- billion pound set of businesses that affect every school in the country. Look beyond school books and pencils as schools buy a huge range of goods and services from suppliers. This affects all of our tax money and every council in the country is involved in procurement for schools.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that YPO's anticipated purchase of close competitor Findel could leave schools worse off.

Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation

(YPO) Findel Education Limited (Findel) are 2 of the leading suppliers of educational resources in the UK supplying stationery, furniture, and art and science materials to educational institutions, such as schools and nurseries. YPO announced its planned £50 million purchase of Findel last year.

During its in-depth Phase 2 investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has looked at the impact of the merger on schools and nurseries. It has provisionally found that both companies compete closely, and any merger would reduce competition resulting in increased prices or reductions in service levels, quality and the range of products offered by the merged company.

The CMA looked at a number of suppliers within the educational supplies sector to understand the main sources of competition to YPO and Findel. If the merger were to take place, the primary competitor to the merged entity would be RM Plc, a generalist UK-wide supplier, with more limited competition from a small number of regional generalist suppliers. The CMA provisionally found that competition from smaller, specialist and online-only suppliers is more limited. As a result, the merger would leave educational institutions worse off with few alternative close competitors to the merged company.

In reaching its provisional decision, the CMA analysed a wide range of evidence looking at how closely these firms compete, including internal documents of the companies and their competitors. It also engaged with customers, competitors, and other stakeholders to inform its findings.

Stuart McIntosh, Inquiry Group Chair, said:"These firms are 2 of the leading suppliers of educational resources in the UK, so it's important that the CMA protects schools and nurseries who rely on their products. The loss of competition as a result of this merger would likely lead to either higher prices or reduced service, and less choice for schools, which are already under considerable financial pressure."

All interested parties now have until 30 October 2020 to submit views on possible remedies to address the CMA's concerns, which may include blocking the deal. All interested parties also have until 6 November 2020 to submit views on the CMA's provisional findings.

For more information, visit the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation/Findel Education merger inquiry web page

Note

In Scotland councils collaborate through Scotland Excel for procurement of many services including education but also much more. A £2 billion contract portfolio supports the delivery of social care, construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate, education and ICT services, and achieves annual savings of c. £15m.