Orikan Group Pty Ltd has withdrawn its request for merger clearance by the ACCC of its proposed acquisition of Duncan Technologies Pty Ltd, having decided to terminate their proposed merger.
Orikan and Duncan are two of the largest suppliers of on-street parking solutions in Australia.
The ACCC released a Statement of Issues on 5 December 2024 outlining preliminary concerns that the proposed merger would likely substantially lessen competition for the supply of on-street parking solutions in Australia.
"We were concerned that the proposed acquisition would bring together two of the largest suppliers of on-street parking solutions in Australia, particularly as Duncan appears to be the closest competitor to Orikan in the supply of on-street parking meters and enforcement solutions," ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
"Mergers between close competitors, which increase market concentration and strengthen market power, increase the risk a merger will substantially lessen competition."
"Without Duncan as a competitor to Orikan, there would be a real risk of increasing prices and reducing innovation in the supply of on-street parking services to councils in Australia."
"Any increased costs to councils from parking solution providers may also have flowed on to consumers," Dr Williams said.
The ACCC commenced its public review of the proposed acquisition on 2 September 2024 and undertook in-depth inquiries into the potential competition impacts of the merger.
The ACCC discontinued its review on 9 May 2025 after Orikan advised that the proposal to acquire Duncan had been terminated.
Background
On-street parking services refer to a range of products and services, including parking meters, enforcement software, sensors, parking apps and central management systems. The main customers of on-street parking services in Australia are local councils but the users of the services, who may be affected by a reduction in competition, are consumers.
Orikan supplies a suite of on-street parking services primarily to local councils in Australia, including the PayStay parking app.
Duncan supplies and maintains parking meters, enforcement software and infringement solutions. As part of its offering, Duncan resells payment apps, sensors and automated number plate recognition from third-party suppliers.
More information, including the Statement of Issues is available on the ACCC's public register here: Orikan Group Pty Ltd - Duncan Technologies Pty Ltd.
