CRH increases holding in Bauk

RNS Number : 8314V

CRH PLC

09 November 2010

 



N      E      W      S                R      E      L      E      A      S      E

9 November 2010

CRH increases holding in German Distribution business to 98%

CRH plc, the international building materials group, announces that it has reached agreement to acquire an additional 50% of the Bauking distribution business in Germany for a total consideration of €126 million, including the Group's incremental share of net debt assumed at closing.  

CRH acquired its initial 48% joint venture share in Bauking, the leading builders merchant and DIY operator in northern Germany, in December 2005. The business, which has grown organically and through acquisitions, now has a total of 128 branches and generated EBITDA of €35 million on sales of €747 million in 2009. The purchase of an additional 50% of Bauking, which is expected to be completed before year-end, will greatly strengthen CRH's existing position in Germany, the largest construction market in Europe, providing an excellent platform for further growth and expanding the Group's exposure to the important repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) construction sector.

Myles Lee, Chief Executive of CRH, commented:

"We are delighted to take control of our successful Bauking joint venture in Germany. This transaction will bring our total German distribution sales to €0.85 billion in a fragmented market with significant expansion potential. The buyout is very much in keeping with our European Distribution strategy of investing in profitable businesses and attractive regions and strengthens our existing position as the third largest Building Materials distributor in Western Europe."

Contact CRH at Dublin 404 1000 ([phone])

Myles Lee         Chief Executive           Éimear O'Flynn     Head of Investor Relations

Maeve Carton    Finance Director          Rossa McCann     Head of Group Finance & Treasury

CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland   TELEPHONE [phone] FAX [phone]

E-MAIL [e-mail]   WEBSITE www.crh.com   Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland

 

END

 

 

ACQVVLFBBFFZFBB