CRH sales up 6% over 4 months

SALES at international building materials group CRH were up 6% in the first four months of 2011 compared to the same period last year.

Despite a slowdown in sales in March and April, the group expects earnings in the first half to be ahead of the 2010 outturn when it recorded profits of €520 million before interest, tax and depreciation were deducted.

In its trading update, group chairman Kieran McGowan said the group carried out €135m in acquisitions, including six bolt on deals involving its materials business in the US as well as another five deals that added to the group’s products and distribution businesses in the Europe.