CCI rejects complaint against SKF India

Fair trade regulator CCI has dismissed allegations of abuse of dominant position against auto component maker SKF India with regard to manufacturing of bearing rings.
The complaint was filed by Pune-based Asmi Metal Products, engaged in the business of forging and machining of bearing rings and other fabricated metal products.
Asmi Metal Products undertakes the machining work on forged rings as required by SKF India.
The complainant had alleged that SKF India had abused its dominant position by forcing it to make irrelevant expenditures on expansion of manufacturing facilities and imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions at the time of awarding contracts, among others.

For the case, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) considered the 'market for industrial bearings in India' as the relevant one.
Citing the data compiled by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), CCI said in an order dated January 24 that several other players are also operating in the relevant market.

The regulator noted that SKF India does not appear to enjoy a position of strength required to operate independently of the market forces in the relevant market.
"Since, the OP (Opposite Party) does not appear to be in a dominant position in the relevant market, the question of abuse of dominant position by the OP does not arise," CCI said.

Noting that "no case of contravention of the provisions of the (Competition) Act" is made out against SKF India, CCI dismissed the complaint.