CRH to look to Americas for continued growth

Cement giant, CRH is likely to focus more on the US in terms of future investment, but a move for some assets being offloaded as part of the Holcim-Lafarge mega-merger hasn’t been ruled out.

In a research note published yesterday in the aftermath of the group’s management dinner in London on Monday night — where chief executive, Albert Manifold and chief financial officer, Maeve Carton updated analysts on the company’s strategic direction — Davy Stockbrokers suggested the Americas Materials division will be a particular investment focus going forward, but also said Eastern Europe could be looked at by management.

“When questioned on the likely focus of CRH’s capital allocation, the Americas and in particular, the Americas Materials division appears to remain a key focus for the group. The US aggregates/asphalt/concrete market remains highly fragmented and although CRH is the largest player within the asphalt market, its market share remains low,” said Davy’s Barry Dixon.