The competition watchdog has cleared the way for Maxol to acquire Naas Fuels, which owns seven service stations in the Leinster region.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) had decided earlier this year to carry out an in-depth investigation into how the deal would affect levels of competition between service stations.

The CCPC said that it had examined how the proposed deal would impact competition in different potential markets – including the retail sale of motor fuels and the operation of forecourt convenience stores in local areas serviced by both Maxol and Naas Fuels.

Maxol ‘will continue to compete’

It concluded that Maxol, which has a network of 243 service stations across Ireland, would continue to compete with other suppliers in the retail sale of motor fuels and the operation of forecourt convenience stores.

“As a result, the CCPC has determined that the proposed acquisition will not substantially lessen competition and can be put into effect,” the watchdog said.

The Maxol-branded service stations are owned either by independent dealers or directly by Maxol itself. Naas Fuels owns and operates seven Circle K-branded service stations.

Maxol is a wholly owned subsidiary of McMullan Bros Limited, a private company owned and controlled by the McMullan family.