Markets Wired

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that US Foods, Inc.’s proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc. would violate federal antitrust law.

According to the complaint, which was first announced in September 2019, the acquisition as proposed would likely harm competition for broadline foodservice distribution for customers in four local markets and for national and multi-regional customers throughout the country.

The final order requires that within 30 days of the acquisition closing, US Foods must divest three FSA distribution centers: one in Boise, Idaho; another in Fargo, North Dakota; and a third in the greater Seattle area. All three divestiture buyers are members of Distribution Market Advantage, a national consortium of regional distributors; the divested facilities will maintain DMA’s national footprint, which makes DMA an attractive option for multi-regional and national accounts.

The Commission vote to approve the final order was 5-0. The staff contact is Melissa Hill, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2673.

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