The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has concluded (19 December) its review of commitments related to Diebold Nixdorf’s 2016 merger and reaffirmed their necessity to protect competition in the ATM maintenance market.
Background
The merger between Diebold, Incorporated (USA) and Wincor Nixdorf AG (Germany) was approved by the BWB in 2016 on the condition that the companies adhere to binding commitments. These conditions aimed to safeguard competition in financial self-service (FSS) solutions, including ATMs, deposit machines, and other banking terminals.
Diebold Nixdorf GmbH applied in 2023 to amend these commitments. However, following a comprehensive market survey involving competitors and banking sector customers, the BWB determined that the commitments remain essential due to Diebold Nixdorf’s dominant position in FSS hardware sales.
Commitments in Force
The commitments, which remain binding, ensure:
- Interoperability: Diebold Nixdorf’s FSS machines must work with third-party software.
- Maintenance Access: Customers and independent service providers must be able to maintain the machines.
- Support and Spare Parts: Access to technical support, original spare parts, and maintenance information must be available for a “reasonable fee.”
Purpose
The commitments address competition concerns by allowing independent maintenance providers and customer service teams to service Diebold Nixdorf machines, preventing monopolistic practices in the maintenance sector.
Outcome
The BWB concluded that no changes in market conditions justify modifying or withdrawing these commitments, ensuring continued competition in Austria’s FSS maintenance market. This decision highlights the BWB’s ongoing role in preserving competitive dynamics in critical sectors.
