Mega merger clears way for €6.5bn CRH deal

Industry giants Lafarge and Holcim agree new merger terms to create the largest cement company in the world. Philip Connolly reports

Albert Manifold, chief executive, CRH . Picture: Feargal Ward
Albert Manifold, chief executive, CRH . Picture: Feargal Ward

In front of the company’s assembled shareholders was the choice of whether or not to approve CRH’s much heralded €6.5 billion asset purchase deal, a deal which has been described as a “game-changer”.

Earlier this year, CRH was presented with the once-in-a-generation opportunity to buy a massive portfolio of global assets when both Lafarge and Holcim sought to sell off assets that could create competition problems ...