NMa attaches conditions to acquisition of mobility products manufacturer Handicare by Nordic Capital

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) attaches conditions to the acquisition of mobility products manufacturer Handicare by private equity firm Nordic Capital. Handicare must sell about half of its production, distribution and sales of powered wheelchairs in the Netherlands to an independent third party. This will make sure that enough competition will remain in the market for new powered wheelchairs.

Handicare is a major player on the Dutch market. Once Nordic Capital, owner of Sweden-based Permobil, acquires Handicare, it will own the two biggest suppliers of powered wheelchairs in the Netherlands. This would create too big a player on the market, leaving too little competition. Nordic Capital has proposed to hive off the production, distribution and sales of several of Handicare's models, which are the Beatle, Ibis XP and Alex. These models account for approximately 20 to 30 percent of the Dutch market. By hiving off these models, the NMa's objections against the acquisition have been taken away.