CRH may spend €8bn on takeovers

CRH could end up spending around €8bn on acquisitions and investments this year, management hinted yesterday.

The building materials and cement giant has already suggested that its 2015 spend and deal flow will not be contained to its proposed €6.5bn purchase of certain assets being disposed of to allow for the merger of European cement titans Holcim and Lafarge.

Speaking after the group’s AGM yesterday, CRH chief executive Albert Manifold said the acquisitions pipeline is better than it has been for some time and is currently “very strong”.