2nd UPDATE: Spain Cement Cos Face EU, Local Antitrust Probes
23 9월 2009 - 7:46PM
Dow Jones News
European Union and Spanish antitrust officials have carried out
surprise inspections at the premises of companies producing cement
and related building products in Spain, the European Commission and
Spain's National Competition Commission, or CNC, said
Wednesday.
The E.U. and Spanish probes are separate, though they are
targeting some of the same companies on suspicion of taking part in
price-fixing cartels, a CNC spokeswoman said. The E.U.'s
inspections are the first step in an E.U. antitrust
investigation.
The CNC said its inspections represent a preliminary step and
don't necessarily mean the beginning of a formal proceeding. In the
event that illegal practices are proved, the CNC could impose
penalties of up to 10% of the total sales volumes of any companies
involved.
Cement giant Cemex SA (CX) said in a filing with U.S. regulators
that Spanish antitrust authorities searched the offices of its unit
in Spain.
Cementos Portland Valderrivas SA, which is controlled by
construction company Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA
(FCC.MC), "is one of many companies under investigation and it is
cooperating" with authorities, said a company spokesman.
Swiss cement company Holcim Ltd. (HOLN.VX) confirmed its offices
in Spain have been searched in the context of the E.U. probe,
adding it is fully cooperating with authorities.
Officials at local producer Cementos Molins weren't immediately
available for comment.
-By Carolyn Henson, Dow Jones Newswires; +32 2 741 1481;
carolyn.henson@dowjones.com (Martin Gelnar in Zurich and Pablo
Dominguez in Madrid contributed to the article.)