commiss decis januari declar concentr compat common market case iv mannesmann vallourec ilva council regul eec english text authent text eea relev ec commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard council regul eec decemb control concentr undertak articl thereof regard commiss decis septemb initi proceed case undertak concern opportun make view object rais commiss regard opinion advisori committe concentr parti dalmin italian undertak activ steel metal engin electr miner sector dalmin ultim parent ilva spa italian state own compani mrw german undertak activ product pipe tube product steel premateri pipe tube process finish sale product mrw subsidiari mannesmann ag german compani activ steel industri manufactur sale industri product plan construct factori site valtub french compani activ product sale pipe tube product made therefrom valtub wholli own subsidiari french compani vallourec sa activ manufactur process sell steel materi french state own compani usinor hold stake vallourec sharehold hold stake excess ii oper parti establish dmv dalmin mrw valtub hold compani equal interest dmv manag control compani home countri parent unit state america run previou seamless stainless steel tube busi parti part oper parti intend close dalmin extrus press costa volpino keep press locat franc germani intend special realiz cost benefit economi scale close cold finish facil dmv french german plant iii concentr joint control parti hold dmv share parti dispos major vote sharehold meet dispos share parti prohibit period prior written consent parti term joint ventur agreement june supervisori board member member appoint parti establish supervisori board decis unanim deal essenti busi financi amp question daili busi matter supervisori board set execut committe compos respect chief execut parti execut committe decis unanim select manag director member board director board director compos manag director manag dmv run dai dai activ board director supervis supervisori board dmv jointli control parent compani joint ventur perform last basi function autonom econom entiti articl joint ventur agreement provid dmv european subsidiari endow asset includ intellectu properti relat right fix asset except land build leas liabil relat dmv activ parti current product capac close remain plant special sector realiz economi scale addit articl joint ventur agreement state parti maintain transfer dmv kei peopl technic commerci administr ensur proper function joint ventur enabl joint ventur acquir autonomi rapidli oper successfulli market articl abovement agreement parti undertak continu suppli product materi servic link transfer plant parti state dmv remain free determin purchas polici make purchas result dmv endow mean perform last basi function autonom econom entiti absenc coordin competit behaviour oper parti remain activ product seamless stainless steel tube vallourec subsidiari valinox nucléair remain activ seamless tube sensit part nuclear plant steam gener tube requir special workshop subject specif technic regulatori requir consid belong separ product market nuclear activ relat sensit part nuclear plant requir specif workshop perform parti prior oper merg dmv dmv valinox nucléair produc limit quantiti special tube heat exchang guid tube product manufactur order meet custom demand full rang product tonnag involv amount seamless stainless steel tube market activ parent compani dmv field busi consid de minimi parent compani remain competitor field finish oil countri tubular good octg tube octg busi relat carbon steel tube remain seamless stainless steel tube transfer manufactur facil dmv parti longer manufactur tube enabl full programm offer articl joint ventur agreement parent compani purchas unfinish octg stainless tube dmv finish sell respect special network oil compani highli sophist finish techniqu high tech thread machin need finish octg tube stainless carbon make dmv subsequ enter market competit parent compani product cost unfinish tube repres major part final price specif tube abovement purchas unfinish tube dmv give rise appreci risk coordin competit behaviour parent compani mother compani parent ultim parent compani compani capit link remain import competitor market bar billet bar billet raw materi seamless stainless steel tube inoxyd product product cover ecsc treati effect oper market product examin rule ecsc treati market seamless stainless steel tube consid separ product market parti transfer dmv extrus press longer manufactur seamless stainless steel tube high invest repres extrus press highli parent compani enter market notifi oper constitut concentr mean articl merger regul iv commun dimens combin aggreg worldwid turnov undertak concern exce ecu billion worldwid level ilva turnov ecu billion mannesmann ecu billion vallourec ecu million take consider usinar group turnov aggreg commun wide turnov undertak concern ecu million commun wide turnov ecu billion ilva ecu billion mannesmann ecu million vallourec undertak concern achiev third turnov member state propos oper commun dimens compat common market relev product market unlik carbon steel tube seamless stainless steel tube sst high content chromium low content carbon ferrou metal nickel titanium high content alloi element stainless steel tube make inoxyd carbon steel tube content alloi element lead price time higher carbon steel tube applic requir inoxyd materi parent compani state steel consid inoxyd stainless chromium content cen standard stainless steel start cen parti remain activ rang stainless steel tube chromium content demand side custom question commiss confirm chromium content tube alloi steel grade tube stainless tube suppli side constitut divid line higher chromium content seamless stainless steel tube manufactur extrus press chromium content seamless carbon steel tube alloi steel grade tube manufactur roll mill result demand suppli side stainless steel tube higher chromium content alloi steel grade tube chromium content consid belong separ product market stainless steel tube seamless weld varieti applic hand nuclear chemic oil industri hand construct car manufactur food industri type applic seamless tube predominantli weld tube year ago seamless account stainless tube applic weld respect share revers seamless weld due progress upgrad weld technolog high price differ weld seamless tube substitut process complet seamless stainless steel tube gener unaccept weld stainless steel tube respect product market definit point account limit technic overlap seamless weld stainless steel tube due technic product limit term diamet wall thick overlap area high price differ averag price seamless tube averag price weld tube manufactur techniqu seamless steel tube product requir higher initi invest weld tube product evolut price seamless tube weld intern standard oil chemic pharmaceut astm standard impos seamless tube state main field seamless weld tube custom end user question commiss confirm point state substitut weld tube seamless market seamless stainless steel tube consid separ relev product market relev product market compos distinct product segment hot finish cold finish tube tube extrud hot finish sold cold finish cold finish typic manufactur tube diamet improv tube characterist order meet special toler standard case size overlap hot cold product overlap exist cold hot tube make full rang size hot cold finish product bought custom part packag produc manufactur countri special compani call redraw carri part cold finish extrud hot hollow tube cold tube price cold finish tube substanti higher hot finish tube cost manufactur technolog competitor capac load hot cold product final cold finish labour intens hot finish competit supplier market depend signific degre abil offer full rang product includ hot cold finish tube geograph refer market geograph market seamless stainless steel tube product hot cold western europ commun efta countri tariff commun efta area intens trade seamless stainless steel tube countri belong area larg part commun consumpt efta countri transport cost low commun efta refer western europ addit high degre mutual interpenetr state state western europ proport import commun efta countri countri nation produc exist high franc germani itali date leader western europ efta compani sandvik sweden supplier hold strong posit domest market mrw germani valinox franc dalmin itali tubacex spain final structur suppli demand similar state state distribut wide achiev number stockhold countri geograph market wider commun efta worldwid level sst busi character main area consumpt main area product area character pattern suppli demand estim provid parti produc western europ biggest market consumpt kt north america kt japan kt product main area distinguish western europ japan western europ japan product larg exce consumpt result high level overcapac japanes export western europ exceed total commun consumpt western european export japan neglig produc area make substanti export north america sandvik sumitomo recent began jointli oper extrus press unit state america nonetheless north american product cover small proport total consumpt low rate mutual interpenetr area import stabl level approxim western europ due japanes produc north american export insignific neglig japan contrast import high come europ japan part import export south america transport cost face produc locat europ repres averag total cost import western europ face import duti true regard japanes produc framework gatt reduct import duti steel product includ seamless stainless steel tube present negoti text negoti provid linear reduct import duti year period start januari market character price level produc stockist seamless stainless steel tube repli commiss inquiri price higher japan averag approxim averag higher unit state america western europ custom area area larg stockist activ worldwid compet intern bid repres parti sst busi present price level western european market increas small signific percentag expect increas price bring import larger stockist japan differ price level japan western europ take account import duti transport cost substanti price western europ increas reimport sst export western european japanes produc north america higher price level north america import duti transport cost reimport attract stronger price increas western europ structur distribut area unit state seamless stainless steel tube distribut independ stockist larg size direct sale place contrast western europ largest stockist account individu market area distinguish eastern europ india asia region promis fast grow market extrus press locat area product low import asia india western europ neglig expect increas significantli forese futur high underli rate growth domest demand addit import subject duti constitut obstacl increas sale western european market regard eastern europ trade flow low product qualiti standard significantli lower western european produc locat ci subject import duti import sst western europ appli produc eastern european countri duti gradual phase commiss negoti tariff quota steel product includ sst czech slovak republ duti free ceil exist trade romania russia ukrain parti mention exist produc czech republ chomutov romania ukrain russia paragraph abovement factor parti assess relev geograph market world wide assess reli main element element price correl intern trade flow exist intern supplier intern stockist custom price correl parti correl price charg western europ unit state rang coeffici close correl price charg western european countri situat impli produc unabl price discrimin part world analys result import analys extent price correl influenc factor influenc price seri market parti correl base comparison price charg western europ unit state japanes produc product manufactur japan clear basi influenc factor common produc correl base domest price unit state western europ japan basi figur parti conclus alleg high correl demonstr japanes implement similar price polici western europ unit state question base parti data price differ japanes export western europ unit state figur confirm parti conclus japanes chang price market correspondingli chang seri data typic stainless steel product notifi parti led total price correl dalmin correl product unit state western european price extrem high ident price movement parti draw conclus dalmin unabl discrimin basi price product vallourec price correl half dalmin correl mannesmann price shown differ correl inconsist concept world market final absenc price correl geograph area strong indic geograph market exist price correl necessarili singl market absenc element mutual interpenetr similar structur suppli demand area ii intern trade flow parti reli elzinga hogarti test export import respect product consumpt area consid belong wider market test wide regard question give indic respect mutual interpenetr area consid mutual interpenetr purchas arbitrag price differ bui area present case export threshold met interpenetr low iii intern produc stockist custom final parti infer exist world market activ intern produc stockist custom produc concern true japanes western european produc activ western europ north america western european produc activ japanes market produc activ western european market analysi evolut price western european market compar evolut market share japanes firm market lead conclus level japanes import strongli affect level price import western europ react demand western europ fairli constant volum justifi wider definit refer market explan fact japanes produc concentr export western europ small diamet high ad tube demand side competit take place worldwid level big intern tender launch largest end user parti intern tender repres busi concern parti western european market divid directli sold end user big intern tender rest stockist parti point activ larg intern stockist activ worldwid level small number larg stockist tad group stockist dalmin connect parti minor capit link connect avesta sandvik group larg stockist compet intern tender suppli sst product servic includ inter alia stainless steel tube intern oil chemic pharmaceut compani activ unrel tradit stockhold distribut activ western europ stock held anticip larg tender present parti internation stockist fact sourc western european produc year total purchas event amount total western european demand sst conclus geograph market high penetr market european japanes produc japanes produc perman signific small presenc european market consumpt world level character low mutual interpenetr price level main market unit state europ japan mix custom distribut structur balanc domest product import addit western europ protect duti applic import rang countri includ japan ci countri hand japanes market character high barrier entri import duti market geograph refer market consid western european assess compat common market gener featur market gener overview market hot cold finish seamless stainless steel tube larg extent commod market matur phase substitut seamless weld tube virtual complet structur place sst sector year occur mid product thick carbon steel seamless tube shift extrus press cost effici roll mill occur earli demand eastern european countri tradit outlet west european manufactur collaps drastic decreas year demand expect stagnant long run western europ growth gener elast global demand price low demand market seamless tube sensit busi cycl economi market condit worsen earli parallel worldwid econom slowdown situat drop price raw materi nickel led decreas price year current price level western european market appear close nomin term price level ii overcapac theoret overcapac structur result signific overcapac western europ product seamless stainless steel tube maximum theoret output plant principl decid factor capac extrus press includ adjac facil pierc cut heat treatment determin maximum product hot finish product capac cold finish facil pilger draw facil maximum capac influenc product rang produc purpos assess capac influenc disregard produc market produc rang size grade suffici homongen seamless stainless steel tube hot finish process sold cold finish product mean total output hot finish product equal sum hot finish tube premateri cold finish process hot finish tube sold seamless stainless steel tube produc maximum output higher ad cold finish tube determin facil cold finish facil maximum produc opinion sell remain product hot finish product basi definit post merger product capac hot cold finish tube western europ estim approxim kiloton kt current rate util product hot cold finish product approxim employ output maximum theoret capac effect capac determin current level employ number work dai year shift dai base current employ product averag capac produc western european market post merger situat estim approxim hot finish cold finish margin exist current employ level produc increas output produc degre flexibl increas product increas overtim temporari employ level output increas signific increas employ extra shift context market highli concentr suppli long term stagnant demand low price elast demand unreason produc increas current level employ substanti extent bring effect capac closer maximum theoret capac reason western european produc seamless stainless steel tube willing current level employ import necessarili determin factor competit environ industri forese futur iii market structur reason state paragraph relev geograph market assess impact propos concentr western europ parti share main player world level volum base estim sandvik sumitomo dmv japanes produc tubacex sber sammi steel supplier custom geograph refer market supplier curent locat geograph refer market sandvik group dalmin mannesmann vallourec schoeller bleckmann sber tubacex merger competitor remain main supplier market japanes firm tradition account market figur lower recent year virtual supplier market categori custom end user stockist end user purchas small quantiti tradit stockhold bigger quantiti mill directli produc larg intern end user launch intern tender larg equip bid larg stockist europ compet regularli small end market market hold stock offer packag servic associ competit seamless stainless steel tube produc addit larg stockist sell small proport total sale smaller stockist market share parti appar consumpt commun amount ecu million repres kiloton kt order account product mix supplier reflect competit strength competitor commiss base assess market share calcul market share volum assess materi prior oper parti achiev base market share dalmin ecu million mrw ecu million valinox ecu million oper base market share dmv amount parti strongest produc competitor sandvik achiev base market share compos uk subsidiari sterl tube import commun sandvik plant sweden remain western european competitor schoeller bleckmann sber austria tubacex spain achiev base market share small german competitor amp tp account base commun market import western europ account japanes firm investig carri commiss broadli confirm parti estim confirm respect market share significantli efta territori account show commun sale ton share japanes produc overestim share main competitor merg parti underestim combin market share dmv sandvik merger amount approxim commun market dmv approxim sandvik approxim breakdown member state member state show germani total appar consumpt close ecu million ecu million largest outlet larg largest outlet itali ecu million franc unit kingdom account ecu million spain netherland account ecu million belgium luxembourg denmark account ecu million final republ ireland portug greec account ecu million merger parti sandvik hold balanc market share western european market paragraph largest geograph outlet germani market share differ sandvik leader northern europ benelux base market share unit kingdom republ ireland base market share unit kingdom ireland denmark base market share sweden norwai sandvik market share equal high dmv leader southern europ franc base market share itali base market share greec base market share tubacex leader home market spanish market assess domin sole domin result figur dmv hold base market share approxim merger consid propos oper lead singl domin posit dmv result effect competit significantli imped common market true view strength largest competitor swedish firm sandvik hold similar market share dmv ii duopolist domin commiss consid propos joint ventur lead creation joint domin posit dmv sandvik significantli imped competit common market merger bring radic chang market lead close market share high combin market share firm merger vehicl reduc structur overcapac market mitig effect recess import higher level concentr result lead creation posit joint domin harm effect competit last basi oligopolist domin exist small group compani posit behav appreci extent independ actual potenti competitor custom ultim consum true post merger western european sst market structur increas probabl collect domin assess commiss basi fact evid collect domin mean articl merger regul creat post concentr market structur structur market condit creat strong incent engag anti competit parallel behaviour sandvik dmv structur link incent enter anti competit parallel behaviour base factor exist level market concentr suffici anti competit parallel behaviour incent profit aris behaviour increas level concentr symmetri market share merger sandvik market share dmv result high level concentr close similar market share princip produc prima faci strong incent produc act sell volum higher price compet price order obtain higher market share incent engag anti competit behaviour strengthen demand stagnant price inelast demand price elast low sst market due fact sst substitut cost sst industri form small part total cost signific increas price result larg drop demand effect european player remain activ seamless stainless steel tube market sandvik dmv hold third commun efta consumpt remain european competitor tubacex sber market share situat sandvik dmv incent enhanc posit restrict output increas price true increas output direct signific impact market price respect revenu subject factor examin structur condit exist main player dmv sandvik group strong incent enter anti competit parallel behaviour lead signific increas market price structur differ dmv sandvik incent engag anti competit parallel behaviour strong signific structur differ market leader result possibl incent react market condit parti signific structur differ exist dmv sandvik term corpor size activ capac cost parti statement examin detail conclus commiss investig element market exist structur differ dmv sandvik suffici offset incent engag anti competit parallel behaviour market share corpor size dmv sandvik shown oper respect market posit dmv sandvik symmetr western europ germani import nation market dmv stronger market posit south sandvik stronger north fact disturb balanc posit interest western european market compani afford engag price war strongest market risk retali substanti loss revenu compani situat dmv sandvik higher market share bigger consumpt area compar compani case parti number factor put sandvik ahead dmv larger volum stainless product global strategi includ cold finish product facil north america newli start extrus press joint ventur japanes produc sumitomo probabl acquisit czech compani chomutov sandvik worldwid market share sst comparison total busi volum hand sandvik group hand dmv exclud parent compani parent compani dmv part larg group notif maintain busi activ field relat stainless steel product distinct product sst relat includ activ sandvik weld stainless tube octg tube special nuclear equip respect busi volum dmv sandvik compar relat relev market product sst western europ corpor size similar reflect respect market share western europ addit measur level total world wide seamless stainless steel tube sale group significantli sandvik sell slightli volum dmv attribut sandvik product canada unit state sandvik product north america sole intend sale market econom reason sandvik ship part north american product western europ hit import duti sandvik suffici product facil spare sst capac western europ confirm parti figur total export sst north america western europ sandvik north american produc kt product capac dmv sandvik parti estim capac situat dmv sandvik asymmetr sandvik worldwid european capac larg dmv question requir care analysi level capac measur theoret throughput extrus press theoret capac hot cold finish tube maximum theoret throughput extrus press highest level capac calcul level extrud hollow signific sunk cost extrus press parti readili market hand finish equip principl produc react flexibl increas demand constrain significantli extrus capac larg amount overcapac extrus europ capac determin limit expans product underli market condit seamless stainless steel tube sector gener unfavour medium term signific invest hot cold finish requir care analysi expect revenu increas product capac dmv sanvik compar level maximum theoret capac extrud hollow dmv excess capac approxim western european demand hot cold finish product sandvik excess capac western europ approxim half western european demand hot cold finish product level spare capac differ absolut term sandvik dmv signific incent increas output increas respect disadvantag suffici capac respond maximum theoret capac hot cold finish dmv maximum theoret capac european world level estim kt hot finish cold finish parti dmv maximum theoret capac kt includ kt unit state sandvik worldwid capac situat western europ dmv figur level maximum capac hot cold finish dmv excess capac suffici cover half western european demand hot finish product roughli fourth demand cold finish product sandvik part excess capac western europ suffici cover third western european demand hot finish product fourth demand cold finish product worth mention dmv sandvik maximum capac reserv hot finish tube individu exceed total sale hot finish product remain western european competitor tubacex sber cold finish tube dmv sandvik maximum reserv capac exceed half total sale tubacex sber dmv sandvik posit enabl successfulli retali tubacex sber increas output western european market capac current level employ respect capac dmv sandvik compar level man capac capac situat extrus unfinish product level dmv western european worldwid capac kt sandvik higher capac western europ newli start joint ventur unit kingdom includ differ smaller hot finish dmv kt capac western europ worldwid dmv sandvik man capac hot finish measur western europ world level cold finish dmv kt capac western europ kt unit state sandvik man capac cold finish western europ dmv acquir chomutov cold finish facil addit sandvik small volum cold finish unit state conclus capac respect capac situat sandvik dmv produc substanti capac reserv definit respond signific aggress sale polici produc market view stagnant demand low price elast demand sst fact firm domin western european market reserv capac absolut term weaken incent sandvik dmv engag anti competit parallel behaviour western european market cost situat dmv sandvik parti respect cost situat dmv sandvik main differ sandvik vertic integr downstream dmv parti compani cost structur incent increas decreas product relat market produc interest break parallel behaviour signific cost differ expect higher profit compet higher market share produc higher expect profit tacit collus higher cost differ offset incent enter anti competit parallel behaviour commiss made attempt assess situat dmv sandvik refer averag cost appear factor differ account standard product mix method alloc cost inher limit exercis commiss focus state structur differ dmv sandvik order examin extent differ influenc significantli margin cost futur behaviour market leader appear close examin structur differ appli part sandvik dmv activ sandvik uk subsidiari sterl tube bui part premateri sandvik group distribut tube independ independ stockist limit part sandvik steel output fact sst product dmv compani purchas signific portion raw materi respect group distribut tube group stockist structur differ group influenc amount fix cost margin cost gener product sst product stainless steel electr steel product technolog involv low proport fix cost fact cost involv product stainless steel variabl cost scrap electr contrast incur product carbon steel final margin cost declin steepli constitut strong incent break tacit anti competit parallel behaviour true demand price inelast stagnant produc spare capac flood market vertic upstream integr degre vertic upstream integr factor influenc cost situat degre fix cost firm parti true respect sandvik compani steel shop produc premateri bar billet sst confirm tubacex state part favour cost posit due fact wholli own steel shop fulli dedic tube shop sandvik steel shop divis dedic sst divis steel shop suppli numer custom insid sandvik group run independ profit centr tube divis reflect fact purchas polici sandvik uk subsidiari sterl tube except steel grade suppli sweden restrict intern sourc vari market condit currenc fluctuat sandvik plan adopt polici term premateri sterl tube extens press unit state parti dmv bui premateri open market steel produc dmv ultim parent compani capit link import player upstream market paragraph dmv benefit greater purchas power compani separ prior merger parti foreseen chang cost premateri feasibl studi reason normal competit market condit market premateri integr produc dmv suffer cost disadvantag compar vertic integr firm raw materi concern true steel industri problem overcapac present level billet bar product confirm fact close examin sandvik intern transfer price bar billet belong commonli steel grade show impact vertic upstream integr cost sandvik tube busi low parti fact sandvik integr upstream higher degre fix cost dmv bui premateri market total cost premateri variabl dmv addit parti sandvik higher fix cost due fact central storag sweden oper extrus press western europ oppos dmv oper extrus press parti conclud sandvik poor market situat view higher degre fix cost continu book order dmv variabl premateri cost order steel mill extrus press fulli load extrus press sandvik western european market dmv larg written gener significantli higher degre fix cost sandvik dmv sandvik press special produc rang size sandvik cost dmv chang contain decid size extrud hollow sandvik state averag fix cost ratio produc answer commiss investig final substanti revenu effect anti competit parallel behaviour price compani achiev signific share compens cost effect load sandvik steel shop partli depend tube manufactur indic sandvik previou perform sst market suggest sell low price order increas volum higher fix cost reason contrari sandvik wide recogn sst industri tradition high price produc addit deduc figur provid parti sandvik market share western europ decreas constantli market price decreas period fall volum sold interpret mean sandvik follow aggress price behaviour result cost advantag period market share notifi parti remain fairli stabl conclus evid current forese market condit vertic integr upstream advantag disadvantag indic sandvik due upstream integr incent adopt competit polici disturb possibl engag anti competit parallel behaviour dmv vertic downstream integr degre downstream vertic integr factor influenc cost situat dmv sandvik network subsidiari countri act stockist sandvik uk subsidiari sterl tube sell independ stockist respect group dmv parent compani compani capit link compani import player downstream market tad starval mannesmann handel stappert spezial stahl thyssen dmv sensit purchas power downstream market compani separ prior merger parti fact sandvik integr downstream higher degre fix cost dmv commiss investig obtain evid downstream vertic integr advantag disadvantag indic sandvik due downstream integr incent adopt aggress price polici disturb possibl engag anti competit parallel behaviour dmv labour cost parti sandvik advantag dmv term labour cost shift product unit kingdom czech republ acquisit chomutov labour cost countri dmv activ differ substanti comparison made figur labour cost sandvik countri figur provid parti result similar parti reach project save plan lai labour merger put slightli ahead sandvik acquisit chomutov labour repres averag total cost product seamless stainless steel tube data provid parti western european competitor close labour cost situat trigger cost differ suffici signific creat incent compani break anti competit parallel behaviour cost save innov mean produc gain advantag competitor innov characterist industri innov minor role plai sst commod product subject wide accept intern specif amount resourc alloc amp industri low market leader gain signific competit advantag resourc invest amp increas conclus cost conclud group structur enjoi suffici signific structur cost advantag offset substanti gain result engag anti competit parallel behaviour market transpar order assess anti competit parallel behaviour feasibl dmv sandvik group commiss examin degre transpar market seamless stainless steel tube result examin degre transpar suffici dmv sandvik find rapidli tacitli agre price behaviour transpar sst market basic result factor concentr suppli structur commod charact product low rate innov fact produc structur price list singl standard product addit import note demand side market wide dispers custom tend make frequent purchas small volum dmv sandvik directli indirectli group stockist meet custom segment market feedback custom price rapid highli reliabl factor examin detail price list result inquiri launch commiss show price list releas custom intern equip bid price quot individu basi distribut stockist western europ european competitor releas price list custom vallourec mannesmann dalmin sterl tube belong sandvik group sber period publish price list western european market tubacex publish price list time sandvik publish price list franc itali germani sweden close examin price list reveal distinct made categori price list group competitor depend distribut channel hand produc dalmin vallourec mannesmann sterl tube tubacex distribut product larg extent independ stockist produc launch product run order hold stock unabl react rapidli deliv small quantiti hand produc sandvik sber establish central storag distribut system sandvik subsidiari sber exclus dealer reason competitor provid small quantiti rapidli achiev lower proport turnov independ stockist competitor fall group result differ competitor belong group publish mill price list target independ stockist competitor belong group publish stock price list indic higher price extra rebat typic mill deliveri price list includ lesser degre sandvik sber base common principl price list competitor categori highli similar comparison sandvik sber stock price list show price list level price group steel grade extra rebat mill price list comprehens structur price list includ tube size diamet thick price cheapest commonli sold stainless steel grade astm tp steel grade tp price price refer price grade steel quot percentag tp custom calcul price specif grade multipli tp price specif product premium reflect cost differ basic steel grade addit competitor price list extra price factor refer length toler certif list rebat similar quantiti result structur price list categori competitor similar high degre similar competitor price list confirm comparison scale import extra rebat mention price list extra steel grade length certif toler quantiti rebat european competitor ident ident scale high transpar price structur market sst true regard grade scale regard toler scale length cut scale quantiti rebat market transpar demonstr similar publish date competitor price list abovement period end begin analysi publish date demonstr competitor publish price list month except earli list publish month parti similar due fact competitor market decid structur price list mannesmann price list parti main competitor custom confirm point commiss competitor state competitor chang price list adopt structur mannesmann price list chang structur led similar price list custom competitor refer european price list answer commiss european price list refer singl price list refer fact high similar structur price list common practic seamless stainless steel tube busi quot price member state price list market leader behaviour competitor price strengthen effect price list market transpar secret rebat parti commun commiss estim averag secret rebat grant abovement period estim rebat grant main stockist comparison averag rebat lead wrong conclus regard similar price polici level rebat close link structur sale portfolio supplier averag rebat grant parti similar consid indic price polici similar comparison rebat grant largest stockist meaning averag rebat grant largest stockist high increas year high rate rebat facilit market transpar note present case rebat grant competitor similar differ lowest rate mannesmann highest rate vallourec constant period mention price list publish month period price list averag secret rebat rate grant largest stockist period dalmin mannesmann vallourec order assess similar degre price transpar suffici mutual monitor parallel behaviour commiss account factor led differ secret rebat rate parti abovement price behaviour market competitor determin rebat member state basi home compani price list abovement averag level rebat express percentag price price list refer sell abroad reason averag rate influenc rel level price countri diverg evolut currenc countri countri structur compani sale portfolio geograph wise addit account averag rebat provid parti relat period time start public price list public averag rate influenc structur compani sale portfolio time wise larg order influenc averag depend occur begin end period take account element commiss conclus differ averag rebat rate grant largest stockist contradict exist high degre transpar price commod market supplier commerci contact numer custom feedback custom price rapid highli reliabl scope price discrimin true stockist greatli reduc stock year gener purchas smaller quantiti frequent past principl order month supplier huge number request price quot month vallourec refer hundr request month high frequenc contact numer custom greatli increas market transpar addit parti possibl verifi reliabl inform group stockist subsequ merger number supplier reduc dmv sandvik group compani confront frequent accur inform price competitor past identifi confirm competitor answer commiss request inform competitor answer commiss request inform confirm parti opinion sst market price transpar fact confirm sst market character high degre price transpar competitor state firm constant contact categori client receiv feedback chang price list hour discount appli price week competitor declar normal secret rebat rate market close averag rate parti competitor commiss averag actual price level competitor contact competitor client overwhelm major competitor larg custom answer commiss inquiri reaction competitor reduct price supplier occur short period time week competitor parti state react week initi price modif conclus market transpar light market seamless stainless steel tube matur market low rate innov product sold larg extent commod product belong grade steel price list similar earlier close publish date rapid comparison competitor price behaviour fact main supplier commerci contact regular basi custom strengthen transpar enabl competitor good knowledg competitor price degre transpar suffici princip produc find rapidli tacitli agre price behaviour decreas price put greater volum market import note context stockist tend make frequent purchas year transact concern small volum sens function market offer condit competitor monitor behaviour competitor offer possibl make import gain conclus high volum long term contract actual potenti competit commiss evalu step extent leader behaviour constrain competitor custom actual competit remain competitor locat geograph refer market tubacex schoeller bleckmann japanes competitor western european produc respect competitor locat western europ fact western european demand sst stagnant structur overcapac prevail mean remain produc primarili activ western europ realist hope increas sale volum expos joint retali leader fact increas sale volum firm necessarili expens sale main competitor dmv sandvik suffici reserv punish attempt smaller competitor gain market share tubacex spanish compani recent focus activ sst market tubacex activ exclus concentr sst market compani unlik dmv sandvik belong larger group compani parti tubacex hold market commiss investig fact reveal slightli lower share tubacex leader home market iberian peninsula low volum area difficulti impos presenc main western european area consumpt germani franc itali unit kingdom due presenc domest produc commiss indic tubacex maintain strong posit spain market structur tubacex supplier market specif product method allow quicker extrus billet squar billet round billet process enabl tubacex press achiev larger theoret extrus capac competitor press addit partli explain tubacex achiev lower cost squar billet hand gener qualiti problem hot finish tube eccentr technic point view creat signific problem specif applic higher qualiti product high averag qualiti standard market problem damag tubacex posit qualiti supplier led compet lower end market confirm tubacex weak posit hot finish tube busi fact offer full rang steel grade confirm declar sandvik stockist commiss due specif manufactur process tubacex offer cold finish tube rang competitor offer hot finish materi rang tubacex enjoi cost advantag current actual theoret capac cold finish unusu high significantli increas capac cold finish tubacex emploi labour make invest facil cold finish product tubacex overcom difficult financi situat conclud agreement supplier view carri import intern restructur tubacex focus sst busi repres import competitor plai role disturb competitor western european market tubacex sell gener lower price produc order penetr market acquir current market share recent price fallen tubacex price closer averag market price investig commiss show chang tubacex strategi date tubacex start publish price list publish price list publish mid similar structur publish competitor market meantim tubacex concentr export market western europ grow faster domest produc weak risk lower reflect fact tubacex market share world level high compar western european market share parti acknowledg written answer commiss statement object tubacex purpos design manufactur rout initi cost save raw materi hot finish partli counterbalanc addit cold pilger step solv call eccentr problem argu tubacex set addit cold pilger facil bui hand pilger machin final manufactur step tube tube sold hot finish tube parti tubacex possibl overcom eccentr problem bui addit hand pilger machin tubacex part spare capac field hot finish increas market share dmv sandvik increas price context long term stagnant demand low price elast demand doubt increas output western european market econom ration behaviour tubacex tubacex low degre fix cost addit tubacex cover total cost current level product price bound increas output tubacex possibl pursu strategi make abovement invest pilger machin decis long term increas demand expect supplier reason prospect recov invest durabl increas price profit respect tubacex econom incent pursu competit strategi gain balanc risk price war risk high suppli side domin player achiev market share demand side character long term stagnat demand low price elast decreas revenu inevit result action expect damag compani recent financi difficulti tubacex state follow price increas impos market dmv sandvik statement consist reason develop line tubacex polici year tubacex price move closer closer competitor price tubacex began publish price list meantim tubacex high rate export western european market show firm target activ market western europ cost advantag danger counter reaction western european competitor final market oper includ leader sell third product stockist end user tubacex focus sale differ achiev busi direct sale end user achiev signific increas market share tubacex activ regard stockist price transpar higher strengthen propos oper higher extent produc tube size steel grade enjoi cost advantag schoeller bleckmann sber austrian state own compani parti hold european market sber difficult financi situat fact publicli own entiti consid guarante austrian govern prepar cover level loss compani year sber restructur process led reduct number employe reflect fact actual capac high hot cold finish limit possibl increas product constrain princip produc behaviour addit sber favour cost posit respect western european competitor high fix cost ratio regist heavi loss parti state situat principl lead sber maxim output order contribut cover fix cost sber break point current price level close maximum theoret capac argu sber increas price undercut price increas impos dmv sandvik order gain market share market global demand price inelast expect stagnant sber start increas product parti quickli sever depress price addit scenario competitor leader retali depress price sber support weak financi situat low capac reserv compar lead firm price decreas rais sber break point unrealist level possibl maximum theoret capac convers event price increas sber cover fix cost take risk increas confirm statement made sber respect cost situat market strategi sber confirm written statement solut post merger follow price increas impos market dmv sandvik japanes produc japanes seamless stainless steel tube industri largest worldwid level western european industri major japanes supplier sumitomo kobe sanyo nippon steel nkk produc enjoi aggreg product capac worldwid product capac actual product amount approxim kt common share western european market note japanes stabl stronger presenc western europ past joint market share amount supplier sumitomo market leader worldwid level worldwid market share sumitomo japanes produc strongest presenc western european market sumitomo japanes produc wide recognis high qualiti produc suppli full rang seamless stainless steel tube addit sumitomo special strength product ad small size tube compet sandvik higher end product market japenes produc affect structur field seamless stainless steel tube western european competitor substitut process extrus press roll mill collaps market eastern bloc paragraph suffer low rate util capac mention japanes competitor long term establish signific presenc western european market japanes produc primarili activ europ dmv sandvik jointli increas price market small signific amount japanes competitor larg spare capac increas sale western europ immedi unlik schoeller tubacex fear retali market leader true import duti progress reduc januari japanes produc significantli enter western european market earli price higher demand heavili decreas expect view futur long term stagnant demand adopt behaviour price increas carri common dmv sandvik provok signific entri western european market japanes supplier demand price inelast entri limit volum quickli depress price japanes produc act suffici constraint prevent creation joint domin posit dmv sandvik western european market seamless stainless steel tube potenti competit parti mention addit constrain factor high likelihood rapid entri eastern european supplier western european market investig show sst produc present locat eastern european countri czech republ romania ukrain russia valcovni trub chomutov compani competitor confirm parti chomutov recent sold extrus press china activ cold finish sandvik negoti acquisit czech compani definit decis expect shortli highli chomutov longer independ firm belong sandvik group chomutov account assess potenti competit eastern europ limit presenc western european market eastern european produc western european stockist feel give opinion precis time frame eastern european industri competit field sst stockist eastern european firm offer competit qualiti year stockist end user competitor estim eastern european firm competit year eastern european supplier wide rcogniz hold modern product facil suppli mannesmann group year aggreg product capac level extrud hollow russian ukrainian romanian produc amount kt present time suffer poorli organ poorli manag product lack commerci skill logist explain current low degre penetr western european market structur reason prevent produc rapidli obtain qualiti certif take month obtain certif confirm fact eastern produc rapidli obtain certif respect high qualiti carbon steel tube eastern produc hold western european certif sst area czech produc chomutov russian produc pervouralski novotrubnij recent receiv tuev certif heat exchang tube parti suggest market penetr eastern european produc acceler partnership conclud produc western competitor commiss investig show western compani activ seek partnership present commun conclud agreement eastern european countri govern exchang seamless stainless steel tube agreement provid duti free ceil tariff quota duti appli tariff charg import czech republ romania gradual reduc abolish eastern european competitor hold mean competit rapidli western european market cost advantag eastern european produc enjoi due low labour cost eastern european produc signific impact western european market futur custom structur demand sst concentr structur suppli commiss assess countervail power custom differ depend stockist end user base inform commiss stainless steel tube distribut directli produc end user remaind distribut stockist independ vertic integr produc stockist individu market share total sale western europ constitut counterweight highli concentr suppli time typic client tube manufactur end user enjoi signific countervail power confirm answer commiss due fact purchas occasion small quantiti tube gener conclus propos oper increas degre concentr highli concentr market dmv sandvik hold high balanc market share western europ import countri germani joint market share held dmv sandvik amount approxim exist competitor hold compani hold larg capac reserv sandvik integr premateri product stock distribut suffici dissimilar mill cost merger offset gain made engag anti competit parallel behaviour assess modifi substanc probabl chomutov sandvik limit number supplier market degre price transpar suffici sandvik dmv rapidli monitor condit offer market engag parallel behaviour gener featur market commod market low rate innov market transpar fierc competit compani fact lower sale margin produc improv sale volum mutual interdepend creat strong common interest incent maxim profit engag anti competit parallel behaviour tubacex schoeller bleckmann real possibl interest significantli constrain market behaviour increas product offer lower price view gain market share compani primarili activ western european market difficult financi situat withstand retali market leader appli japanes competitor basi commiss find analysi small signific price increas provok entri japanes competitor entri suffici constrain behaviour market leader eastern european competitor activ margin activ western european market significantli enter market futur partnership western european firm ongo threat undermin creation stabil anti competit parallel behaviour vi assess reason outlin commiss conclus propos oper creat strengthen domin posit result effect competit significantli imped common market substanti part adopt decis articl propos concentr mannesmann vallourec ilva declar compat common market articl decis address dalmin spa piazza caduti luglio dalmin bg mannesmannroehren werk ag mannesmannuf duesseldorf valtub sa rue de silli boulogn bilancourt brussel januari commiss karel van miert member commiss oj corrigendum oj oj publish version decis inform hereinaft omit pursuant provis articl regul eec replac figur inform delet busi secret reason effect sandvik higher degre fix cost paragraph percentag point parti