CRH in €344m US firms takeover

BUILDING materials giant CRH announced one of its biggest-ever spending sprees yesterday with the takeover of three new businesses in the US worth €344 million.

The deals, in the eastern states of Kentucky and Virginia and on the Canadian border in Minnesota, will allow the company to ramp up its road construction and road materials supply activities but will also make it a heavy hitter for the first time in specialist rock-clearing and earth removal.

The markets were happy with the news and added 3.5% to the share price.