13.4.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 92/19 (Acts adopted before 1 December 2009 under the EC Treaty, the EU Treaty and the Euratom Treaty) COMMISSION DECISION of 30 September 2009 on a measure taken by Italy to rescue Sandretto Industrie stl (C 19/08 (ex NN 13/08)) (notified under document C(2009) 7184) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/215/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above and having regard to their comments, Whereas: I. PROCEDURE On 29 January 2007 the Commission approved rescue aid of EURS5 million to Sandretto Industrie srl (Sandretto) (!). The aid consisted of a guarantee on two credit lines provided by private banks, the conditions of which were to be defined after the approval of the Commission. When notifying the rescue aid, Italy undertook to terminate the guarantee no later than six months after its disbursement, and to provide the Commission with a restructuring plan for Sandretto within six months of the date of authorisation of the aid. On 14 December 2007, having received no information on progress, the Commission wrote to Italy asking for an update on the case (letter ref. D/54995). Italy answered by letter dated 21 January 2008 (ref. A[1233) informing the Commission that the aid had been granted in two parts, one on 24 July 2007 and the other on 13 August 2007. By letter dated 23 January 2008 (ref. D/50314) the Commission requested Italy to confirm that the guarantee expired on 24 January 2008, or to provide a restructuring plan, and informed Italy that failing a (1) Decision N 802/06 (O] C 43, 27.2.2007, p. 2). ) prompt reply the Commission departments would propose the opening of the formal investigation procedure. Italy replied on 8 February 2008 (ref. A[2526) informing the Commission that the first instalment of the guarantee had expired on 24 January 2008, and that following the failure of several attempts to sell the company’s assets the court with jurisdiction in the matter had been given timely notice that the proceedings might have to be converted into an application for bankruptcy. A decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the Treaty (hereinafter ‘the opening decision’) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, with an invitation to interested parties to submit their comments (?). Italy sent comments by letter dated 19 May 2008 (ref. A[9253). There were no comments from other interested parties. Subsequently, the Commission requested additional information by letter dated 20 August 2008 (ref. D[53263), to which the Italian authorities replied on 18 September (ref. A[19134), and by letter of 20 October 2008 (ref. D/54063), to which the Italian authorities replied on 4 November (ref. A[23219). II. DESCRIPTION The recipient Sandretto manufactures and sells injection moulding machines for thermoplastics. It began as Fratelli Sandretto in 1947, and since then has undergone several changes in its name and corporate form. At the time the aid was granted, in 2007, Sandretto had a turnover of EUR 30 million, and employed 340 people; it was a major source of activity for the local economy, with two production plants located in the municipalities of Grugliasco and Pont Canavese in the province of Turin, both being areas qualifying for aid under Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty. () 0] C 137, 4.6.2008, p. 12.