Dynamique de la concurrence et cession d'activité: le cas de la cession de Cassegrain (Compagnie Saupiquet) au Groupe Bonduelle

Selling an activity between firms is mainly analysed, in a structural approach, as an adjustment to new market constraints. The aim of this article is to show that a business unit transfer to a competitor may be analysed as the result of an aggressive behaviour of this competitor. This hypothesis is tested through the transfer of Saupiquet's vegetables canned business unit (brand Cassegrain) to Groupe Bonduelle. In particular, it is demonstrated that Groupe Bonduelle, prior to this acquisition, reduced its prices by investing in excessive production capacities. It is assumed that the behaviour of Groupe Bonduelle itself pushed the Compagnie Saupiquet to sell Cassegrain.