Varian Says It Won’t Fight FTC Decision on Deal

Varian Associates said it will not fight the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to block the $65.8-million sale of its vacuum products division to the BOC Group of Britain.

The company said it had been notified by the FTC that the agency would not approve the planned sale and had authorized its staff to seek a preliminary court injunction against the deal.

The FTC said the combination of the Varian division with BOC’s Edwards High Vacuum business would control too large a share of the market for a specific leak-detection device.

Varian Associates produces systems and components for communications, defense, scientific, medical and industrial markets.