The European Commission (Commission) has raised no objection to the takeover of Horizon Technology Group (Horizon) by Avnet. Avnet is an American based distributor of information technology products, in particular electrical components, computer products and related services. Horizon, with markets in Ireland and the UK, is also a distributor of information technology products as well as a technical integrator. The customers of both companies are usually computer product resellers and retailers. Following an examination by the Commission, it concluded that the deal would not significantly impede effective competition even though the acquisition would result in the formation of the most prominent company in the market. The Commission's conclusion took into account that there are a number of other strong wholesale distributor competitors, software distributors and manufacturers of IT products (who like Avnet and Horizon also sell directly to resellers and retailers) in the market.
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