CRH acquires €1.45bn in firms

CRH spent €1.45 billion on acquisitions last year, some €450 million more than in 2004.

The building material group, Ireland’s most acquisitive company, said much of the cash was spent in the second half of 2005.

The largest deal, the purchase of a 26.3% stake in Spanish firm Corporacion Uniland for €300 million, was concluded last week.