31 January 2006 - The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of the European Beverages Division of Cadbury Schweppes plc (CSEB) of France by Blackstone Group (Blackstone) of the US and Lion Capital General Partner LLP (Lion Capital) of the UK.
Blackstone is a private equity company offering a range of financial services and holding investments across a range of industries. Lion Capital is a private equity investment fund which focuses on investing in companies that are primarily engaged in the production and sale of consumer branded goods. CSEB is active in the production, marketing and sale of carbonated, still and other soft drinks. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.