Competition watchdog to investigate bid by building products firm Kilsaran

The Kilsaran Group is a consortium of companies with around 26 locations around Ireland and an office in the UK.

The competition watchdog said it will launch an in-depth investigation into a proposed bid by Kilsaran Concrete to buy certain assets of Kilmurray Precast Concrete as it may negatively impact the market.

Kilmurray owns and operates a single sand and gravel pit in Co Offaly, which Kilsaran has expressed interest in acquiring in addition to a chip processing plant, stock, vehicles, plant, supply and sale contracts, and two small freehold properties owned by Kilmurray.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, or CCPC, was notified about the transaction in November last year and, after the initial examination, the watchdog was unable to conclude that the proposed acquisition will not lead to a substantial lessening of choice for consumers.

The CCPC therefore announced it would carry out a Phase 2 investigation into the deal which will begin on March 27.

The Kilsaran Group is a consortium of companies with around 26 locations around Ireland and an office in the UK.

The company manufactures and supplies ready-mix concrete, concrete blocks, and other base building materials. The Kilsaran Group also undertakes surfacing contracts for road construction, building, and civil engineering works.

The company is eyeing up certain Kilmurray assets having previously grown the company through other deals including snapping up Galway Oran Precast and the operating assets of Cemax.

Founded in 1964 by the late Patrick McKeown in the village of Kilsaran in Co Louth, Kilsaran has grown considerably to become Ireland’s largest independent manufacturer of a range of concrete products.

The company currently employs approximately 500 people, according to its website.