Wesfarmers warned about anti-competitive behaviour

The Commerce Commission has formally warned a firm making industrial safety equipment about its alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The commission said only a court could determine whether the Commerce Act had been breached but it warned Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety New Zealand that an alleged attempt to hamper another company's move into the New Zealand market was legally unsafe.

It said that in December 2004 three Wesfarmers employees had sent emails to suppliers discouraging them from supplying Amare Safety.

After a complaint by Amare, the commission decided the emails put Wesfarmers at risk of breaching the Act.

"This is extremely serious conduct by these employees," commission chairwoman Paul Rebstock said.

Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety makes and supplies products through its subsidiaries, New Zealand Safety and Protector Safety Supply.

Amare Safety is a private company supplying personal safety equipment and associated products and services in Australasia.