Sumitomo Forestry: Carter Holt Harvey

Sumitomo Forestry applies for clearance to acquire Carter Holt Harvey MDF assets in Rangiora

The Commerce Commission has received an application from Sumitomo Forestry Co Limited seeking clearance to acquire all of the medium density fibre board (MDF) assets and business operations of Carter Holt Harvey Limited (Building Supplies Division) situated in Rangiora.

The New Zealand operations of Sumitomo Forestry are undertaken by a wholly-owned subsidiary company, Nelson Pine Industries Limited. It manufactures MDF in Nelson and sells it under the brand name GoldenEdge MDF.

Carter Holt Harvey (CCH) is wholly owned by Rank Group Investments Limited. It is a forest products company, with significant interests in wood products, pulp, paper and packaging. Rank is selling the Building Supplies Division of CHH. The activities of that division include the manufacture and sale of MDF under the Customwood brand name.

In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the acquisition has the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

A public version of the application will shortly be available on the Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz under Public Registers.

ENDS