Statement of preliminary issues for USG's and Boral's application to form a joint venture

The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to USG Corporation’s and Boral Limited’s joint application seeking clearance to enter into a joint venture.

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues that the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance. The Commission’s statement of preliminary issues and the public version of the application are on the Clearances Register.

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission’s consideration of this matter. Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference USG/Boral in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by 4pm on Friday 17 January 2014.

Background

USG Corporation is a supplier of a range of building products and is based in the United States. In New Zealand, USG Corporation primarily supplies ceiling tiles and metal building products.

Boral Limited supplies a range of building products and is based in Australia. Boral Limited has a shareholding in Rondo Building Services Pty Limited which, like USG Corporation, supplies a range of metal building products in New Zealand.

The proposed joint venture relates to the two parties’ operations in Asia, the Middle East and Australasia for the supply of plasterboard, ceiling tiles and metal building products. The Commission is only considering the impact of the proposed joint venture on markets in New Zealand.