South Africa: Competition Tribunal

Merger Alert

Date of release: 24 March 2022

OUTCOME OF MERGERS DECIDED BY THE COMPETITION TRIBUNAL

Type of matter

Parties involved

Tribunal decision

Large merger     Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd And Weldamax (Pty) Ltd: Approved with conditions

Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd And Weldamax (Pty) Ltd

The Competition Tribunal has conditionally approved the large merger wherein Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Air Products”) intends to acquire Weldamax (Pty) Ltd (“Weldamax”). On implementation of the proposed merger, Air Products will have sole control over Weldamax.

The Tribunal has approved the proposed transaction with conditions relating to the establishment of a fund to enable small businesses and historically disadvantaged persons (“HDPs”) to enter into, participate in and expand within the market, as well as increasing the HDP or broad-based black economic empowerment (“B-BBEE”) ownership interest in the merged entity.

Air Products primarily manufactures, supplies, and distributes industrial and speciality gases which are used by customers across various industries in South Africa. Air Products also supplies ancillary speciality gas regulating, controlling, and handling equipment.

Weldamax distributes a range of manual metal Arc welding, stick manual Arc welding and other welding equipment, consumables and accessories. Weldamax trades, in part, under the name Unique Welding which is an independent distributor of industrial gas, welding consumables and welding equipment. Unique Welding sells these products through both retail and wholesale channels. Weldamax also distributes a range of Air Products’ packaged industrial and speciality welding gases.

A full press release will be issued in due course.

Issued by:

Gillian de Gouveia, Communications Officer

On behalf of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa

Cell: +27 (0) 82 410 1195

E-Mail: GillianD@comptrib.co.za

Twitter: @comptrib