EU approves acquisition of Detlev Louis Motorradvertriebs by Berkshire Hathaway

The European Union (EU) approved the acquisition of Germany's Detlev Louis Motorradvertriebs (DLMV) by Berkshire Hathaway of the United States under the EU merger regulation, said the European Commission (EC) on Monday.

DLMV is active in the retail distribution of motorcycle clothing, spare parts, and supplies through stores located in Germany and Austria, while Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational conglomerate with subsidiaries active in property and casualty insurance, freight rail transportation, utilities, as well as energy, finance, manufacturing, services and retailing.

Brooks Sports, one of Berkshire Hathaway's subsidiaries, is active in the retail and wholesale distribution of performance running shoes and related sports apparel. Another subsidiary, Fruit of the Loom, manufactures basic clothing products, including sports and casual wear.

The EC concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise any competition concerns, because the overlaps between the activities of DLMV and Berkshire Hathaway were very limited.

The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. Endit