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
