The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Reliance Security Services Ltd and Reliance Security Services Scotland Ltd (together “RSS” of the UK) by Securitas AB of Sweden.
The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area ("EEA") or any substantial part of it.
Securitas provides security services, including manned guarding and alarm monitoring and response services, mainly in Europe and North America.
RSS is active in manned guarding (including mobile response) and aviation security in the UK. Securitas and RSS are both active in manned guarding and alarm response services in the UK.
The Commission’s analysis showed that the merged entity would become the second player in the UK market for manned guarding services. However, competition in the UK security services markets will remain fierce, due to the presence of a considerable number of suppliers, both at national and regional level. Moreover, barriers to entry and expansion are relatively low. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns.
