FTC Approves Graco’s Application to Divest Liquid Finishing Business Assets to Carlisle Companies

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application from Graco Inc. to divest certain liquid finishing businesses and related assets to Carlisle Companies Inc. Under the terms of the Commission’s October 2014 modified final order, Graco is required to divest these assets to settle charges that its acquisition of the liquid finishing businesses of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and ITW Finishing Inc. in 2012 was anticompetitive.

 The Commission vote to approve the divestiture was 2-0-1-2, with Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen abstaining, and Commissioners Joshua D. Wright and Terrell McSweeny not participating. (FTC File No. 111-0169; Docket No. 9350; the staff contacts are Elizabeth Piotrowski, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2623; and Peter Richman, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2563.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.