The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division are requesting public comments on serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies pursued by companies across U.S. markets and industries that may jeopardize fair competition.
In a joint request for information, the agencies said they are looking to identify serial acquisitions in sectors including defense, cybersecurity, housing, agriculture, construction, aftermarket and repair and professional services.
“As the FTC scrutinizes these stealth consolidation schemes, we invite the public to submit information about where serial acquisitions have occurred and their effects,” said FTC Chair Lina Khan.
The agencies aim to use comments gathered from the inquiry to inform enforcement priorities and future actions aimed at protecting fair competition and preventing undue consolidation.
“When companies use serial acquisitions and other roll-up strategies to consolidate industries while evading antitrust scrutiny, they deprive the American people of the benefits of competition,” said Jonathan Kanter, assistant attorney general of the DOJ Antitrust Division.
The comment period is open until July 22.