Subsequent prohibition of merger between Volksfreund-Druckerei (Trier) and TW Wochenspiegel
03.06.2005
The Bundeskartellamt has prohibited the merger between Volksfreund-Druckerei Nikolaus Koch GmbH, Trier, a member of the Holtzbrinck group, and TW Wochenspiegel GmbH & Co. KG, Monschau.
The merger dates back to 1996. At the time Volksfreund-Druckerei, which publishes the subscription daily “Trierischer Volksfreund” in western Rhineland-Palatinate, had acquired a 24.9 per cent share in “Wochenspiegel”, an advertising journal with a comparable regional circulation. The Bundeskartellamt gained knowledge of this acquisition in the summer of 2004 in another proceeding and initiated merger control proceedings.
The merger has strengthened the dominant position of Volksfreund-Druckerei in the regional advertising market covering the entire distribution area of Trierischer Volksfreund, and has consequently secured it a dominant position in the relevant reader market.
The companies can appeal against the Bundeskartellamt’s decision at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.