Construction giant Saint Gobain has acquired a UK-based chemicals firm.
The French materials giant has acquired Kilwaughter – which manufacturers facade mortars in the UK and Ireland – for an undisclosed amount.
Kilwaughter generated revenue of about £50m in the year ending April 2024. It was acquired to “further strengthen” Saint Gobain’s offering in lightweight and sustainable construction, the French firm said.
By acquiring Kilwaughter, Saint Gobain will acquire brands in the materials space, including lightweight cement render K Rend and K Systems, an external wall insulation specialist. Saint Gobain said it would incorporate Kilwaughter into its business for the Northern Europe Region.
It comes more than a year after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe into several firms – including Saint Gobain – over suspected anticompetitive practices in the supply of chemicals to the construction industry.
The probe is being carried out in coordination with an investigation by the European Commission, which said it had undertaken unannounced antitrust inspections at businesses operating in the construction chemicals sector in some of its member states.
Construction News understands that a company under investigation by the CMA is not generally prevented from merging with or acquiring another company.
Under the Enterprise Act of 2022, companies are not required to notify the CMA about mergers. But in guidance around the act published online, the CMA does say there can be “significant benefits to merger parties notifying a merger to the CMA”.
In some circumstances, “a decision not to notify the CMA carries particular risks once the merger has been completed”, it adds.
Earlier this year, the CMA launched legal measures after a tribunal refused warrants to raid homes as part of the investigation into firms including Saint Gobain.
CN approached Saint-Gobain for comment. It had said before that it was cooperating with the CMA’s investigation.
The CMA said it was unable to comment outside of a formal announcement.
