Division (1)

The decision relates to an ‘armistice’ agreement regarding the sale of beer in France for consumption away from home (on-trade sector). The Commission has gathered evidence showing that on 21 March 1996, the two main brewery groups in France, Brasseries Kronenbourg SA and Heineken France SA (previously: Sogebra) and their respective mother companies at the time of the facts, Groupe Danone and Heineken NV, have concluded this agreement, following an ‘acquisition war’ regarding drinks wholesalers. The agreement concerns, on the one hand, the acquisition of drinks wholesalers, with the aim of bringing a rapid end to the rising costs of acquiring these companies, and on the other hand, the balancing of the integrated distribution networks of the parties concerned. The ‘armistice’ agreement has, however, never been implemented.