Comp Comm investigation of the edible oil market

The Willowton Group confirmed that its offices, as well as several other competitors and suppliers, were investigated by the Competition Commission on 8 December 2016. The investigation is as a result of the Competition Commission investigation into a recent merger within the industry as well as another impending merger. These mergers and impending merger are between suppliers and competitors of Willowton Group. During the commission’s investigations into these mergers, the Willowton Group as a competitor and customer, fully responded to the commission’s investigations into these mergers.

“We have complied with all requests of the investigators and are extending our assistance in finalising their investigation. The Willowton Group is fully committed to sound corporate governance as well as fully complying with all laws and regulations of the countries within which we operate in,” the company, which in recent months has extended its manufacturing operations into both Zimbabwe and Zambia, said in a statement. “There have been previous investigations into the company’s activities and again we had fully complied with these investigations, where there was no evidence found of any wrong doing on the part of the company. Allegations of price collusion and cartel activities among suppliers and competitors in the edible oil market have been made by the commission and these allegations again are refuted by the company.”