Summary
CRH Public Limited Company (CRH) announced in this Form 6-K filing dated July 2, 2013, a significant update on its development strategy for the first half of 2013. The company executed a total of 17 acquisition and investment initiatives, with a combined development spend of approximately €470 million. This figure includes the acquisition of Cementos Lemona in Spain and net deferred consideration payments. The company also reported proceeds of approximately €185 million from divestments and disposals during the same period, including the Uniland asset swap. The investments were strategically distributed across CRH's key segments. In the Americas, €178 million was deployed across 12 transactions, focusing on securing aggregates reserves in the Eastern U.S., expanding manufacturing facilities for building products in Canada and the Carolinas, and bolstering its distribution network. In Europe, €58 million was invested in 5 transactions, including bolt-on acquisitions in materials in Northern Ireland and Britain, expanding concrete products manufacturing in Belgium, and growing its general builders merchants network in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Key Highlights
- 1CRH invested approximately €470 million in 17 acquisition and investment initiatives during H1 2013.
- 2Divestments and disposals in H1 2013 generated approximately €185 million in proceeds.
- 3Americas segment saw 12 transactions totaling €178 million, focused on aggregates, building products manufacturing, and distribution.
- 4Acquisition of Expocrete in Western Canada is highlighted as a significant expansion, bringing CRH's Canadian annual sales to €315 million.
- 5Europe segment involved 5 transactions costing €58 million, targeting materials, concrete products, and distribution businesses.
- 6The company secured approximately 435 million tonnes of aggregates reserves in the U.S. across seven transactions.
- 7Strategic bolt-on acquisitions were made in both the Americas and Europe to strengthen market positions and achieve synergies.