Konecranes and Cargotec have continued active dialogue and cooperation with relevant competition authorities and have been considering ways to mitigate the concerns raised by the competition authorities to secure approvals to complete the merger of Konecranes and Cargotec.
Konecranes and Cargotec have today submitted a remedy package to the European Commission ("EC") comprising a commitment to divest Konecranes' Lift Truck business and Cargotec's Kalmar Automation Solutions. The proposed divestitures would eliminate overlaps between the Parties' Container Handling Equipment businesses but allow the combined company (the "Future Company") to combine others and continue to be a strong player in all aspects in Container Handling Equipment. Konecranes and Cargotec understand that the EC will now examine the proposed remedy package and may conduct a customary market testing.
The divestments, if made in line with the proposed commitments, will not change the industrial logic behind the combination of Konecranes and Cargotec. The Companies will announce the expected high-level financial impact of the proposed remedies once information is available on the exact scope and possible ancillary arrangements relating to the possible remedy divestments in due course.
The final decision on possible divestitures of any businesses as well as possible terms and conditions thereof will be confirmed only after the EC's review and market testing process, as well as further proceedings with the other competent authorities. The possible divestitures are further subject to various local legal requirements. Konecranes and Cargotec have started an assessment of possible external buyers in order to identify the best alternatives to satisfy the authorities’ requests and to support the future development of these businesses.
Further announcements on the approval processes will be made in due course once further decisions on possible material approval conditions and possible divestitures are made.
Konecranes and Cargotec remain confident that the merger will be completed by the end of H1/2022. Until all merger closing conditions are met and the transaction completed, both companies continue to operate fully separately and independently.