Title: Hamelin Group Set to Take Over Pelikan: No Significant Competition Impediment in Germany's Stationery Market
In a recent development, the French Hamelin Group could take over the German stationery manufacturer Pelikan. The announcement came from the Federal Cartel Office in Bonn, Germany, who approved the potential acquisition. According to the Cartel Office's President, Andreas Mundt, the merger will not impede competition significantly, and various options will still exist for retailers and consumers from other stationery manufacturers.
Hamelin and Pelikan, both active in the manufacturing and worldwide distribution of paper, office supplies, and stationery, boast distinct brand presences in Germany. Hamelin, primarily operating in Germany with brands like "Oxford", "Landré", and "Elba" in notebooks, pads, and filing products segments, counterparts Pelikan, whose "Pelikan", "Herlitz", and "SusyCard" brands dominate writing instruments, writing instrument accessories, and painting and craft supplies.
Both firms also produce private label products, leading to certain overlaps in notebooks, pads, spiral articles, and coloring and drawing pads. The Cartel Office surveyed nearly a hundred companies in the industry for their market analysis, determining the major competitors in Germany to be Baier & Schneider with the "Brunnen" brand and the Staufen Premium and Format Werk group of companies with the "Staufen" brand.
Despite the acquisition, it remains unclear how market dynamics will shift. Global players like Maped, Staples Inc., Crayola, 3M Company, Office Depot LLC, Guangbo Group, Newell Brands, Pentel Co. Ltd., Lyreco, Hallmark, Shoplet, BIC, Faber-Castell, Hamelin, Cello, M&G Stationery, Esselte, ACCO Brands, Avery, Pilot Corporation, Staedtler, and Kokuyo Co. Ltd. are some prominent players in the global office stationery supplies market.
The acquisition's ultimate impact on the Germany office supplies and stationery sector will depend on various factors, including the merger's terms, market strategies, and consumer response. Regardless, consumers and retailers in Germany can rest assured knowing that a range of alternatives from other stationery manufacturers will remain available post-merger.
