THE building materials group, CRH, has announced acquisitions and developments that have cost Pounds 48 million in the first six months of 1997. Most, Pounds 22 million, was spent in the US, while Pounds 13 million was spent in the Republic and Pounds 13 million in mainland Europe.
Irish Cement has begun a Pounds 13 million investment programme to instal a new cooler on its kiln at the Platin plant. It is scheduled for completion next year.
In the Netherlands, a subsidiary, Struyk Verwo Paving, acquired Weegels Beton, a manufacturer of concrete products. Weegels Beton generates sales of Pounds 9.5 million. CRH said the enlarged group would be a significant player in the specialist drainage and manhole sector.
Kelders Dakmaterialen, the merchanting division, acquired Daboma, a roofing merchants with three locations. The consideration for the two acquisitions amounted to Pounds 8.3 million.
In Belgium, Vebofoam cornmenced work on the relocation and upgrading of its extruded polystyrene insulation factory at a cost of Pounds 4.7 million. The new factory, to be commissioned early next year, will double Vebofoam's capacity.
In the US, the Glass Group in February acquired Toronto-based Armourguard Glass Products and the assets of Burnett Construction in south Colorado and San Juan Concrete in north New Mexico. The assets of Riverside Materials in New York and Lucas Lumber in Philadelphia were acquired in March. And in May, the paving division of Roads Corporation was purchased.
The disinvestment involved the disposal of surplus Tilcon assets which included the Roncan quarry in Connecticut. Van Neerbos sold its 50 per cent in VLN-PCI Bouwtechnische Produkten to its partner. TBF Thompson disposed of the business of RJ Maxwell to the Foster Yeoman Group. And CRH sold its 50 per cent stake in Die Steinmacher, a concrete paving manufacturer with two locations in Germany.
