Cartels in stone: 76,6 million euros in fines for 11 companies, according to the Competition Authority

The Competition Authority has sanctioned four cartels in the prefabricated concrete products sector, and imposed a total of 76,6 million euros in fines on 11 specialized companies, according to a press release released Monday June 3.

The Authority sanctioned cartel practices over periods of seven to ten years, relating to the "distribution of construction site volumes" during calls for tenders launched by construction companies, on "the rates of increase in rates" applicable to builders of individual houses, or on "information sharing" in the context of calls for tenders relating to concrete frame projects.

The companies sanctioned are KP1, Rector, SEAC, Strudal, A2C, FB, Industrielle du Béton (IB), Saint Léonard Matériaux (SLM), Soprel, Eurobéton France, and Société de préfabrication de Landaul (SPL).

This decision is accompanied by a criminal aspect, the Authority, initially informed by a report from the General Directorate of Competition and Fraud (DGCCRF), having referred the matter to the public prosecutor.

The investigating judge “conducted interceptions of telephone exchanges and searches of the premises of several incriminated companies”.

Another search, which took place at the Mercure Hotel in Roissy, interrupted “a meeting bringing together seven company representatives”, underlines the Authority.

The three highest sanctions apply to the companies Rector (25,45 million euros), KP1 (19 million) and SEAC (10,99 million). For its part, Eurobéton France was fined 3,44 million euros, including 75.000 euros “for obstructing the investigation”.

KP1 and Rector will benefit from a reduction in fine after having filed two “leniency requests” with the Authority, an initiative allowing self-denunciation by possibly providing evidence.