History
The company, whose name is an abbreviation of Cement Roadstone Holdings, was formed through the merger in 1970 of Cement Ltd (established in 1936) and Roadstone Ltd (established in 1949). Major acquisitions have included Tilcon, a leading US building materials supplier, in 1996, and Ibstock, a leading British brick manufacturer in 1999.
In 2006 CRH struck out from its usual strategy and invested in a cement factory based in the Heilongjiang region in China. It has built on that presence acquiring a 26% stake in the Jilin Yatai Group and an option to acquire 49% in the future.
In 2007 CRH purchased four US companies, worth a total of $350 million (€251 million) to add to its US materials division: these companies are Conrad Yelvington Distributors Inc. (CYDI), Eugene Sand & Gravel, Cessford Construction and McMinn's Asphalt and Prospect Agrregates.
In 2008 CRH agreed to buy a 50 percent stake in Indian cement company My Home Industries Ltd. for €290 million ($452 million).
Also in 2008 CRH agreed to purchase landscape paver, Pavestone, for $540 million.
Read more about this topic: CRH Plc
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