Displaying items by tag: Acquisition
Ireland: CRH CEO Albert Manifold has said that the company will now take a pause from large-scale acquisitions following the completion of its US$7.3bn acquisition of various Lafarge and Holcim assets and its recent US$1.3bn acquisition of glazing products producer C R Laurence. Manifold was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying that significant acquisitions going forward are 'unlikely,' and that the company will focus on integrating its two big acquisitions over the next 12 - 18 months.
CRH had previously been linked with two other large-scale cement industry acquisitions. In India, it was in the running to acquire 5Mt/yr of Lafarge assets that have since been sold to Birla Group. Meanwhile, in South Korea CRH had been linked with the wholesale acquisition of Tongyang Cement & Energy. Due to Manifold's announcement, it appears that the South Korean deal is no longer on the table.
CRH first half results show increase in sales and earnings
27 August 2015Ireland: CRH has reported improved results for the first half of 2015. It reported that sales increased by 13% year-on-year to Euro9.4bn over its global operations. Although sales fell by 1% in Europe, they rose by 32% in the Americas. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) from continuing operations were up by 29% globally, by 4% in Europe and by 57% in the Americas. CRH's profit before tax was Euro63m, a 3% improvement on its Euro61m pre-tax profit it made in the first half of 2014.
CRH reported that the acquisition of assets from Lafarge and Holcim were now fully integrated into CRH. It has also announced a further Euro1.15bn acquisition of US-based glass manufacturer C R Lawrence.
"We are on track to deliver another year of growth in 2015," said Albert Manifold, CEO of CRH. "Trading in the Americas has been good and, against a mixed macro-economic backdrop, underlying trading in Europe is broadly in line. We have made good progress towards achieving our goal of restoring margins and returns to peak over the cycle, with further margin improvement in each operating division. We are now applying CRH rigour to (our) new businesses to integrate them efficiently and to drive performance."
Philippines: Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc, a Philippine investment holding company, has signed a US$400m loan to help fund the acquisition of the Philippine assets and business of cement maker Lafarge SA. The loan is being provided by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd.
Aboitiz Equity signed a deal with CRH in May 2015 to allow it to join the Irish building materials company in buying Lafarge's cement plants in the Philippines. CRH earlier agreed to buy the assets as part of Lafarge and Holcim assets that were due to be sold off prior to the formation of LafargeHolcim. Aboitiz Equity had said the investment is part of efforts to expand in infrastructure development.
Mergers and acquisitions aplenty… but what about Cemex?
19 August 2015In early 2014 the top of the global cement producer charts looked very different to how it does today. The big four multinationals, Lafarge, Holcim, HeidelbergCement and Cemex, were clearly out in front and ahead of the rest of the global top 10. While there was discrepancy in their sizes, the largest, Lafarge (224Mt/yr) had just over twice the cement capacity of fourth-placed Cemex (95Mt/yr), with Holcim (218Mt/yr) and HeidelbergCement (122Mt/yr) between these extremes.1 With an impressive 659Mt/yr of capacity between them, these four accounted for just shy of half of global cement capacity outside of China.
However, as those with even a passing interest in the cement sector will know, this is no longer the case. The merger between Lafarge and Holcim and the subsequent acquisition of Italcementi by HeidelbergCement has stretched out the range of the top producers significantly. Today LafargeHolcim has around 340Mt/yr of installed capacity and HeidelbergCement 200Mt/yr. Meanwhile Cemex is still 'stuck in the 90s,' with a capacity of around 92Mt/yr following the sale of its Croatian cement assets last week. The Mexican 'giant' is now almost a quarter of the size of LafargeHolcim. What does this mean for the world's number three (excluding Chinese producers) and what might the future hold?
Well... the old adage goes that you have to move forward to stand still. However, Cemex has not moved forward over the past two years, meaning that is hasn't kept up the pace with its immediate rivals. It hasn't been able to, hemmed in by the debt that it took on from its poorly-timed acquisition of Rinker in 2007. Indeed, Cemex is looking to contract further, with aims to shed a further Euro600 - 1100m of non-core assets in 2015.2 Against improved positions at LafargeHolcim and HeidelbergCement, Cemex increasingly looks like an 'Americas specialist' rather than a full-blown multinational. A stake in Cemex LatAm Holdings is up for sale, but the sale of more cement plants may also be on the way. This is all being done to improve Cemex's investment grade rating from B-plus, four grades below investment grade.
If Cemex does have to shed further physical assets on the ground, it is very unlikely that it would chose to do so in the Americas, where it is a very major player. It is number one in Mexico, third in the US and well-postitioned in numerous growth markets in Central America. If push comes to shove, it is far more likely that it would sell assets that are further from home. These are in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.
Cemex has 43% of its production capacity outside the Americas. Certain assets, such as those in Thailand, Bangladesh and the Philippines, may be appealing to CRH, which is already set to acquire LafargeHolcim divestments there and is known to be considering other purchases in the region.3 Cemex also owns several cement plants in better-performing EU economies like Germany and the UK. In Germany, the company has already completed a small downsizing exercise by selling its Kollenbach plant to Holcim (LafargeHolcim). Meanwhile, Cemex UK is a major player in the UK, where the Competition Commission has recently been very keen to increase the number of producers. Elsewhere, Cemex's share in Assuit Cement in Egypt could provide much needed revenue, as could its small stake in the Emirati markets.
Thinking more radically, and in keeping with the current trend of mega-mergers and large-scale acquisitions, could Cemex find itself the target of the next global cement mega-merger / acquisition? Certainly, its strength in Central and South America completely complements HeidelbergCement's lack of coverage here, making a future 'HeidelbergCemex' a potential winner.
The other option, if/when Cemex regains its investment rating, would be for Cemex to acquire or merge with a company further down the list of global cement produers. Africa is an obvious target, with rapid growth and a lack of Cemex assets at present. A foreigner buying up Dangote is probably out of the question, but PPC would be an interesting target, as would increasingly isolated Brazilian producers that could help shore up Cemex's South American position.
If the past 18 months in the global cement industry have shown anything, it is that we should expect the unexpected. It will be very interesting to see how all players, both large and small, will react to the recent goings on in the rest of 2015 and beyond.
1. 1. Saunders A.; 'Top 75 Cement Producers,' in Global Cement Magazine – December 2013. Epsom, UK, December 2013.
1. 2. Reuters website, 'Mexico's Cemex could sell part of business to pay down debt: CEO,' 10 February 2015. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/11/us-mexico-cemex-idUSKBN0LF05320150211.
1. 3. Global Cement website, 'CRH investment spend set to pass Euro7bn with South Korea cement deal,' 12 June 2015, http://www.globalcement.com/news/item/3721-crh-investment-spend-set-to-pass-euro7bn-with-south-korea-cement-deal.
India: The acquisition of Lafarge India's two cement plants by Birla Corporation may come unstuck. According to local media, there are questions being raised on the outcome of the deal, which is the biggest acquisition in the 96-year history of Birla Corporation.
The ownership dispute between the Birla family and the Lodhas, who currently manage Birla Corporation, could create obstacles for the deal. After the death of Priyamvada Birla in 2004, the widow of M P Birla, her will had named R S Lodha, a chartered accountant and close confidant of the family, as the heir to her entire estate which ran into billions of US Dollars. This was hotly contested by the Birla family on the legal front. Today, the late R S Lodha's son, Harsh Lodha, is the chairman of Birla Corporation. The M P Birla Group has around a 63% stake in Birla Corporation.
There are now doubts whether the Birla Corporation's deal to acquire Lafarge India's assets may be consummated, given the continued ownership dispute. However, Debanjan Mondal, a partner in Fox & Mondal, the legal counsel of Harsh Lodha, said that, "If required, appropriate shareholders resolution will be taken for the acquisition. This has nothing to do with the will dispute and it will not come in the way of the deal." Analysts have highlighted that Birla Corporation would have to raise funds to finance the transaction, requiring the mortgage of assets, which may be difficult given the ownership dispute.
Fosroc invests in Idea Kimya
17 August 2015Turkey: Fosroc, an international construction chemicals group, has announced a major step in its global growth strategy with the agreement to acquire, subject to regulatory approval, a substantial majority shareholding in the Turkish market leader for cement additives, Idea Kimya.
Andre Ladurelli, CEO of Fosroc, said that the acquisition signals a highly ambitious phase of growth. "Our strategy is to continue achieving double-digit organic growth in existing businesses and enter new territories through the formation of new ventures as well as through acquisitions. The acquisition of Idea Kimya is an excellent example of this strategy, demonstrating our commitment to growth while providing a substantial platform for further development in Turkey and its neighbouring countries. Our attitude is that we want to seize the day, lead the market and out-class our rivals on product, expertise and service," said Ladurelli.
Having recently completed new ventures in Myanmar, Vietnam and Iraq and with a host of other projects currently being developed, Ladurelli cited the example of Kenya as one of Fosroc's key future strategic ventures, through which it aims to open up the East African market. Fosroc's sales in the first half of 2015 increased in line with expectation. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 18% year-on-year.
"The integration of Idea Kimya into the Fosroc Group will create new high growth opportunities. Fosroc will provide a thorough range of construction chemicals products and solutions, with the support of their global organisation," said Hakan Gulseren, managing director and one of the founders of Idea Kimya.
Cemex announces sale of its operations in Austria, Hungary and Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia
12 August 2015Europe: Cemex has signed an agreement for the sale of its operations in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia.
Its assets in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia will be sold to Duna-Dráva Cement (HeidelbergCement) for approximately Euro231m. The assets mainly consist of three cement plants (approximately 1.66Mt of cement sold in 2014), two aggregate quarries (approximately 0.16Mt of aggregates sold in 2014) and seven ready-mix plants (approximately 0.25Mm3 of ready mix sold in 2014). Cemex's operations in Croatia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia had net sales of approximately Euro124m in 2014.
Its assets in Austria and Hungary will be sold to Rohrdorfer Group for approximately Euro160m. The Austrian operations consist of 24 aggregate quarries (approximately 6.47Mt of aggregates sold in 2014) and 34 ready-mix plants (approximately 1.60Mm3 of ready-mix sold in 2014). Cemex's operations in Austria had net sales of approximately Euro217m in 2014. The Hungarian operations being divested consist of five aggregate quarries (approximately 1.36Mt of aggregates sold in 2014) and 34 ready-mix plants (approximately 0.46Mm3 of ready-mix sold in 2014). Cemex's operations in Hungary had net sales of approximately Euro42.2m in 2014.
The proceeds obtained from the transactions will be used mainly for debt reduction and for general corporate purposes. The closing of the transactions is subject to the satisfaction of standard conditions for this type of transaction, which includes authorisation by regulators. Cemex currently expects to finalise the transactions during the fourth quarter of 2015.
US/Japan: Taiheiyo Cement Corp has announced that its California subsidiary CalPortland Co will buy North Carolina-based Martin Marietta Materials Inc's cement business in California for US$420m. Taiheiyo Cement aims to complete the acquisition procedures by the end of September 2015. The acquisition will allow the company to recoup the cement production capacity lost by the discontinuation of output at CalPortland's plant in Colton, California and to establish a cement supply system to meet growing demand in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Holcim Philippines buys Lafarge Republic assets
06 August 2015Philippines: Holcim Philippines Inc plans to expand its market and offer a wider range of construction solutions following its acquisition of Lafarge Republic Inc's Star terminal in Manila and its aggregates business in Rizal. Holcim Philippines president and CEO Eduardo Sahagun said that the purchase is a welcome addition to the company's business.
"These assets further strengthen our ability to provide products and solutions that help our customers and partners in the construction industry," said Sahagun. He said Lafarge's Star terminal would strengthen Holcim Philippines' ability to support customers in Metro Manila and South Luzon, while the acquisition of Lafarge Republic Aggregates Inc, located in Angono, Rizal, would provide the company an established aggregates business. Holcim Philippines closed the deal on 4 August 2015 and paid US$67.5m for the assets.
CRH completes LafargeHolcim acquisition
03 August 2015Ireland: On 2 February 2015, CRH announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire certain assets from Lafarge and Holcim for Euro6.5bn. The deal has now been completed, with the exception of the Philippines, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015.
"Today we extend a warm welcome to 15,000 new colleagues joining CRH. With their expertise and talent on board, combined with the strength of our existing employee base, CRH is a step closer to achieving our aim of becoming the world's leading building materials company. The businesses we are acquiring, which represent an excellent geographic fit with CRH's existing operations, are all strong performers in their respective areas. The integration of these high quality assets, which we have acquired at an attractive valuation and at the right point of the cycle, will strengthen our presence in a number of key markets as well as providing new platforms for strategic growth. The additional scale will help us to improve efficiency, speed up innovation and provide an even better service to our customers," said Albert Manifold, CRH chief executive.
The transaction more than doubles CRH's cement production volumes and will further expand its aggregates and ready-mixed concrete portfolios. The acquired assets consist of more than 685 locations in 11 countries and include:
- The largest cement producer in central Canada; an excellent fit with CRH's existing Americas Materials business;
- Major cement and aggregates operations in western Europe's three largest markets: The UK, France and Germany;
- Leading cement and aggregates companies in the growth regions of central and eastern Europe, creating a strong regional cluster in which CRH becomes the number one heavy-side building materials company;
- Entry positions of scale in two emerging economic regions; Brazil and the Philippines.
With the closure, Tarmac and Blue Circle come together to form Tarmac, under the new ownership of CRH, according to Agg-Net. The company's new branding combines the heritage and innovation associated with the Tarmac name and the unique identity of the Blue Circle logo. The newly combined business is now the market leader in aggregates, asphalt, contracting services, lime and powders and is a leading player nationwide in cement, concrete and other building products.
"This is an exciting evolution for our business. With our new owner CRH in place to support the ongoing development and delivery of our strategic vision, we're in an exceptionally strong position to deliver our growth ambitions and continue creating value for our customers, our shareholders and our employees," said Tarmac's CEO, Cyrille Ragoucy, said. Tarmac has confirmed that there will be no change to its relationships with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.