EU clears Bridgestone’s bid to buy workshop chain Pitstop

Brussels – The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of automotive workshop chain Pitsop by two German buyers and Bridgestone Europe NV/AS.

In an announcement 1 Sept, the Commission said it had approved the chain to be acquired by motor vehicle insurance company HUK-Coburg, private air charter business LNN Flug GmbH and Bridgestone Europe.

The takeover, said the Commission, will “raise no competition concerns”.

Bridgestone and Pitstop have been long-time partners collaborating on the supply of tires across Europe.

In 2018, Bridgestone acquired a minority stake in Kulas Holding GmbH, which held 100% shares of Pitstop.

At the time, the tire maker said the investment aimed to strengthen cooperation in sectors of mobility solutions, tire and workshop services, in order to open new markets.