Beumer Challenges EU Decision On Vanderlande-Siemens Deal In Court

German logistics company Beumer Group has filed a case against the European Commission after the EU competition regulator declined to examine Dutch company Vanderlande’s acquisition of Siemens’ airport logistics business.

Siemens announced the 300 million euro deal with Vanderlande, a company owned by Japan’s Toyota Industries, in 2024. Vanderlande sought regulatory approval in Portugal and Spain earlier this year. Portugal, Spain and Italy later requested that the European Commission review the transaction, but the Commission rejected the referral in May. The Commission said the acquisition had already been completed for more than a year and that national competition authorities in Portugal and Spain were better placed to assess the deal.

In its filing before the General Court in Luxembourg, Beumer argued that the Commission should have accepted the referral request and reviewed the transaction. The company also contended that national regulators do not have the authority to reverse the completed acquisition. The Commission said it would defend its decision in court.