The announcement yesterday afternoon (3 May) means that five gravure plants in Germany and Arvato's new Liverpool site will become part of one European gravure superpower.
The Commission ruled that the merger would not "significantly impede competition in the single market or in any member state".
In a joint statement, the firms welcomed the decision and revealed that Arvato board member and Maul-Belser Media Group chairman Stephan Krauss would become chief executive of the new company.
The joint venture does not include Bertelsmann's gravure facilities in Spain or Italy, or any of the groups' web offset plants. Bertelsmann owns Arvato and a 75% stake in Gruner+Jahr.
Story by Josh Brooks
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"Very insightful Stern.
My analysis?
Squeaky bum time!"
"But in April there was an article with the Headline "Landa boosts top team as it scales up to meet market demand", where they said they came out of last year’s Drupa with a burgeoning order..."
"Yep. Tracked is king."
Up next...
Print services required
Trio of new tenders up for grabs
Greater automation and ease-of-use
Konica Minolta enhances AccurioPress C7100 series
Energy savings and wider gamut
Wilmot-Budgen takes first LED Onset
Weekly one million mark