Miele Beteiligungs-GmbH, a subsidiary of Miele Group, and Metall Zug AG plan to establish a joint venture focusing on infection control and contamination prevention equipment for hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, labs, and medical practices.

The competition authority identified concerns regarding reduced competition intensity in the markets for cleaning and disinfection devices, high-temperature sterilizers, and endoscope reprocessing devices, potentially leading to higher prices and lower quality.

To ensure effective competition, the companies agreed to support a competitor, Servosan, in expanding its business with hospitals by providing financial assistance, commercial incentives, and training programs.

Additionally, commercial incentives will be offered to expand business activities in cleaning and disinfection equipment for hospitals, with mandatory support services and information sharing on relevant tenders in Austria over the next three years.