Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration concerning the acquisition by the company “KPS Capital Partners LP” of the exclusive indirect control of the activities of the company “Crown Holdings INC” in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in the field of food, aerosol, and promotional packaging

In accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for its implementation, as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the “operation summary” below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this press release does not attest to the completeness of the file provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for the implementation of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition as amended and supplemented.

Names of the companies and groups concerned:

  • The acquirer: The company “KPS Capital Partners LP”;
  • The target: The activities of the company “Crown Holdings INC” in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in the field of food, aerosol, and promotional packaging.

Nature of the operation

  • Acquisition of exclusive control.

Economic sectors concerned:

  • Market of manufacturing and distributing tin cans.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their observations:

  • 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e. February 26, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES

The Competition Council received notification of an economic concentration operation concerning the acquisition of exclusive indirect control by the company “KPS Capital Partners, LP” of the activities of the company “Crown Holdings INC” in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in the field of food, aerosol, and promotional packaging, through the company “Kouti BV”.

“Kouti BV” was an indirect subsidiary of “Titan Holdings, LP”, which was itself indirectly controlled by “KPS Capital Partners, LP” at the date of the acquisition. “KPS Capital Partners, LP”, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS funds, a family of investment funds with assets under management of approximately $21.4 billion (as of December 31, 2023). For over thirty years, KPS partners have been exclusively dedicated to investing in manufacturing and industrial companies across a wide range of sectors, including basic materials, branded consumer products, health and luxury products, automotive spare parts, capital goods, and the manufacturing industry in general.

On a global scale, the target is engaged in the design, manufacturing, and sale of packaging products for consumer goods, including the following products: cans, closures, aerosols, metal closures, and promotional packaging. In Morocco, the target is active, through the company “Eviosys Packaging Maroc SA”, in the manufacturing and distribution of food cans and 2-piece and 3-piece metal can ends in three factories.

 

Done in Rabat, February 13, 2025