Competition Markets Authority
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Phase 2
The phase 2 investigation is being conducted under the CMAs new merger process, which applies to cases opened since 25 April 2024.
Administrative timetable
| Date | Action |
| 14 November 2024 | Referral date |
| 30 April 2025 | Statutory deadline |
Contact
Case team email: gxo.wincanton@cma.gov.uk
Terms of reference
14 November 2024: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by GXO Logistics, Inc. of Wincanton plc for an in-depth investigation.
- (14.11.24)
Phase 1
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
| 1 November 2024 | Phase 1 decision announced |
| 6 September 2024 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 6 September 2024 to 20 September 2024 | Invitation to comment |
| 26 April 2024 | Initial enforcement order |
Reference decision
14 November 2024: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by GXO Logistics, Inc. of Wincanton plc for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.
- (14.11.24)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
1 November 2024: The CMA has decided, on the evidence currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for an in-depth, phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer an acceptable undertaking to address these competition concerns.
The full text of the decision will be published in due course.
- (1.11.24)
- Press release: Logistics deal could raise prices for business customers in the UK (1.11.24)
Launch of the merger inquiry
6 September 2024: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (6.9.24)
Invitation to comment: closed 20 September 2024
The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the merger from any interested party.
These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Contact details for submitting responses are set out in the invitation to comment below.
- (6.9.24)
Initial enforcement order
26 April 2024: The Competition and Markets Authority has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on GXO Logistics, Inc, International Venture Holdings Limited (England and Wales), and Wincanton Plc.
- (8.5.24)
Amendments / consents granted
- (8.5.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
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- (26.6.24)
- (26.6.24)
- (26.9.24)
- (26.9.24)
- (26.9.24)
Privacy notice
Your name and contact details are your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law. The CMA is processing your personal data so that it can contact you again, should it need further help or information from you, in order to carry out its merger work under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002. For more information about how the CMA processes personal data and your rights relating to that data, please see our