Slovak cable manufacturers face record antitrust fines, claim competitor manipulated regulators

Slovakia's antitrust authority imposed record fines on two cable manufacturers, VUKI from Bratislava and Elkond from Trstená, which together employ 200 workers. The companies face what the antitrust office called the highest penalty in its history for allegedly operating a price-fixing cartel. Both firms deny the charges, claiming they never formed a cartel or engaged in price coordination. VUKI suggests a competitor may have manipulated the antitrust authority to eliminate them from the market and gain control over the sector. The Antimonopoly Office oversees competition policy in Slovakia and investigates anti-competitive practices among businesses. The companies warn the fines could force them out of business, potentially allowing the competitor that reported them to dominate the cable manufacturing market.