Cartels & Cie, a podcast series produced by the French Competition Authority, takes you behind the scenes of some of France’s biggest anticompetitive cases.
Guided by journalist Isabelle Souquet, the series features first-hand accounts from investigators at the French Competition Authority, as well as public- and private-sector representatives with knowledge of the cartels.
This podcast was originally produced in French and has been translated into English by the French Competition Authority. All speakers are voiced by professional actors, and all names remain unchanged.
The investigation began in 2011, based on information provided by the French consumer watchdog, the DGCCRF. The French Competition Authority then decided to carry out dawn raids at the premises of the three leading manufacturers (Gerflor, Forbo and Tarkett), as well as the trade association. The raids uncovered extensive evidence of anticompetitive practices, and two of the companies subsequently applied for leniency. The companies met secretly three to four times a year in hotels and coordinated on a range of matters, including prices, customer relationship management, sales organisation and samples of new products. The companies’ general and sales directors also communicated by telephone using nine dedicated lines. Moreover, the manufacturers agreed not to communicate on the environmental performance of their products. In determining the fines, the French Competition Authority also took into account the exceptionally long duration of the practices (ranging from 10 to 25 years, depending on the company), as well as their widespread and institutionalised nature, involving a large number of senior representatives of the companies concerned over an extended period.
SPEAKERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Bruno Gallet, Head of Finance and Property at Paul Guiraud Hospital in Villejuif
Erwann Kerguelen, Deputy General Rapporteur at the French Competition Authority and case officer at the time of the case
Anne Krenzer, Head of the Leniency Unit at the French Competition Authority
Elise Provost, Head of the Sustainability Network at the French Competition Authority
Laure Gauthier, Deputy General Rapporteur at the French Competition Authority and case officer at the time of the case
Sarah Subrémon, a lawyer specialising in competition law, particularly in actions for damages arising from competition law infringements
DECISION (in French only):
https://www.autoritedelaconcurrence.fr/sites/default/files/commitments/17d20.pdf
APPEALS
The decision is final. No appeal was filed within the statutory time limit. Following the decision, actions for damages were brought by companies and public-sector bodies claiming to have suffered harm as a result of the practices. These actions, some of which are mentioned in the podcast, are currently pending before the competent courts, which will determine both the nature and extent of any harm suffered.
This series is an educational resource for the general public. The presentation of the cartels covered is not intended to be exhaustive, and some information provided in the interviews may lack precision or simplify certain aspects of the cases. Listeners are therefore invited to consult the full text of the relevant decisions, available in French on our website (N.B.: only the French version of the full text of each decision is authentic), as well as, where applicable, any judgments subsequently handed down by the reviewing courts, for a complete and accurate understanding of the context and scope of the information presented.
Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.