CRH plc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes building materials. It operates in three segments: Americas Materials, Europe Materials, and Building Products. The company manufactures and supplies cement, lime, aggregates, precast, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt products; concrete masonry and hardscape products comprising pavers, blocks and kerbs, retaining walls, and related patio products; and glass and glazing products, including architectural glass, custom-engineered curtain and window walls, architectural windows, storefront systems, doors, skylights, and architectural hardware. It also offers precast concrete and polymer-based products, such as underground vaults, drainage pipes and structures, utility enclosures, and modular precast structures to the water, energy, communication, transportation, and building structures markets; and construction accessories, such as anchoring, fixing, and connection solutions, as well as lifting systems, formwork accessories, and other accessories used in construction applications. In addition, the company offers network access products, which include composite access chambers, covers, passive safety systems, retention sockets, sealants, and meter boxes; and paving and construction services. Further, it provides building and civil engineering contracting, contract surfacing, operates logistics and owned railway infrastructure; sells and distributes cement; and supplies access chambers and ducting products. It serves governments, contractors, homebuilders, homeowners, and sub-contractors. The company operates primarily in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally. CRH plc was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
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Here are 1-3 brief analogies to describe CRH:
- The Amazon of essential construction materials.
- The Intel Inside for the built environment.
- The Siemens of building materials.
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- Aggregates: Essential raw materials like crushed stone, sand, and gravel used in construction.
- Cement: The fundamental binding agent in concrete and mortar.
- Asphalt: A bituminous mixture used for road construction and paving.
- Ready-mix Concrete: Freshly mixed concrete delivered to construction sites.
- Precast Concrete Products: Factory-manufactured concrete elements such as pipes, pavers, and structural components.
- Building Products: A diverse range including insulation, roofing, and architectural glass for various construction applications.
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CRH plc (symbol: CRH) is a leading global diversified building materials group. As such, it sells primarily to other businesses (B2B) within the construction industry, rather than directly to individuals.
Due to the highly fragmented nature of the building materials market and CRH's broad product portfolio (including aggregates, cement, asphalt, and concrete) and extensive geographic spread across North America and Europe, CRH typically does not have a small number of "major customers" that account for a significant portion of its global revenue. Instead, its customer base comprises thousands of local, regional, and national companies across various construction segments.
The primary categories of businesses that purchase CRH's products and services include:
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General Contractors and Civil Engineering Firms: These companies undertake large-scale infrastructure projects (e.g., roads, bridges, airports, public works) and significant commercial developments. They require substantial volumes of raw materials like aggregates, asphalt, cement, and ready-mixed concrete.
Examples of public companies that operate in this sector and would be typical customers of building material suppliers like CRH (note: these are illustrative examples of customer types, not necessarily major customers by revenue concentration for CRH globally):
- Granite Construction Inc. (NYSE: GVA) - A large U.S. civil contractor, particularly for infrastructure projects.
- Vinci S.A. (EPA: DG) - A global player in concessions and construction, with significant operations in Europe where CRH has a strong presence.
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Residential Home Builders and Developers: Companies involved in constructing single-family homes, multi-unit residential complexes, and housing developments. They purchase materials such as ready-mixed concrete, aggregates, architectural products, and precast concrete components.
Examples of public companies in this sector that would be typical customers (again, illustrative examples of customer types):
- D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE: DHI) - One of the largest homebuilders in the United States.
- Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN) - Another prominent U.S. homebuilder.
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Specialty Contractors and Material Distributors: This category includes firms specializing in specific construction trades such as paving, concrete pouring, or landscaping. It also includes other building material distributors who purchase materials from CRH for resale to smaller contractors or even some retail customers.
Due to the highly localized and often private nature of many specialty contractors, identifying specific major public companies in this precise segment as direct customers for CRH globally is challenging. However, various regional and national distributors (often privately held) would be key customers in this category.
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Jim Mintern, Chief Executive Officer
Jim Mintern assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for CRH in January 2025. He has over 30 years of experience in the building materials industry, with 22 years spent at CRH in various senior leadership positions. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as CRH's Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the company's global financial operations and leading the strategic transition of CRH's primary listing to the New York Stock Exchange in 2023. His past roles within CRH include Finance Director for Roadstone, Country Manager for Ireland, Managing Director for the Western and Eastern regions of the Europe Materials Division, and Chief of Staff to the CEO. Mr. Mintern holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master's in Accounting from University College Dublin.
Nancy Buese, Chief Financial Officer
Nancy Buese was appointed Chief Financial Officer of CRH, effective May 12, 2025, and is based in New York. She brings extensive experience in financial leadership roles at publicly listed companies. Her previous positions include Executive Vice President and CFO at Baker Hughes Company and Newmont Corporation. Ms. Buese also held financial leadership roles at MarkWest Energy Partners and MPLX and was a partner at Ernst & Young. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas.
Randy Lake, Chief Operating Officer
Randy Lake has served as the Chief Operating Officer of CRH since 2022. Before this, he was the Group Executive of Strategic Operations from 2020 to 2021 and President of Americas Materials from 2016 to 2020.
Peter Buckley, President, International Division
Peter Buckley holds the title of President, International Division at CRH.
Nathan Creech, President, Americas Division
Nathan Creech serves as the President, Americas Division for CRH.
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The key risks to CRH's business include:
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Economic Uncertainties and Market Volatility: CRH operates in the construction industry, which is inherently cyclical and highly sensitive to overall economic conditions and market volatility. Economic downturns in key markets, particularly North America which contributes a significant portion of CRH's earnings, can lead to reduced construction activity, lower demand for building materials, and increased pricing pressures. This macroeconomic sensitivity affects CRH's ability to forecast demand, manage inventory, and optimize capital allocation.
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Financial Leverage from Acquisition Strategy: CRH has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to drive growth, which has resulted in increased debt levels. As of September 30, 2025, CRH's net debt rose significantly, leading to higher financial leverage compared to the industry average. This increased debt results in higher interest expenses, which can pressure net income even with strong operational performance.
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Rising Costs and Pricing Pressures: CRH faces ongoing challenges from rising costs of raw materials, energy, and labor. Simultaneously, the highly competitive nature of the building materials industry can lead to pricing pressures in various markets. These factors can adversely impact CRH's profit margins and overall profitability, necessitating effective cost management strategies to maintain its competitive edge.
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Emerging Threats for CRH:
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Increasing adoption of mass timber and other sustainable structural materials: The construction industry is seeing a growing shift towards sustainable building methods and materials. Mass timber products, such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam), are gaining traction as structural alternatives to traditional concrete and steel in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. Companies like Stora Enso, Binderholz, and others are expanding production, and an increasing number of projects globally are utilizing these materials due to their environmental benefits, speed of construction, and aesthetic appeal. This trend directly threatens the demand for CRH's core cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete products used in structural applications.
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Advancements in construction 3D printing: While still an emerging technology, 3D printing for construction is rapidly developing, with companies like ICON, COBOD, and CyBe Construction deploying advanced robotic systems to print entire structures, homes, and infrastructure components. This technology allows for faster construction, reduced labor costs, and customized designs, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional building materials such as concrete blocks, pre-cast concrete elements, and other masonry products that CRH supplies. As the technology matures and scales, it could significantly alter demand patterns for conventional building materials.
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CRH (NYSE: CRH) operates in key addressable markets primarily related to building materials. The main products and services include aggregates, cement, and asphalt.
Aggregates
- Global: The global aggregates market size reached an estimated USD 569.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 758.1 billion by 2033.
- U.S.: The U.S. aggregates market was valued at approximately USD 164.65 billion in 2024, anticipated to reach USD 170.26 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach USD 222.24 billion by 2033. Another source indicates the U.S. construction aggregates industry is a USD 39 billion industry based on 2024 revenues.
- Europe: The Europe Construction Aggregates Market was valued at USD 61.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 89.38 billion by 2030.
Cement
- Global: The global cement market size was valued at USD 384.67 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 471.74 billion by 2032. Other estimates place the global cement market size at USD 403.70 billion in 2024, expecting to reach USD 683.07 billion by 2034.
- U.S.: The U.S. cement market size was USD 18.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 24.0 billion by 2032. The U.S. cement market size attained a value of approximately 110.37 million metric tons in 2024.
- Europe: The cement market size in Europe was valued at USD 145.71 billion in 2024 and is estimated to be worth USD 196.72 billion by 2033. In terms of volume, the Europe cement market attained approximately 176.58 million metric tons in 2024.
Asphalt
- Global: The global asphalt market size was estimated at USD 65.91 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 83.35 billion by 2030. Global demand for primary asphalt (bitumen) totaled 128 million metric tons in 2024.
- U.S.: The market size of Asphalt Manufacturing in the U.S. was USD 36.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to be USD 36.7 billion in 2025.
- Europe: null
Ready-Mixed Concrete
- Global, U.S., Europe: null
Paving and Construction Services
- Global, U.S., Europe: null
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CRH (symbol: CRH) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategies and market trends:
- Increased Infrastructure Spending: A significant driver for CRH is the substantial public investment in construction, particularly in North America. This is supported by robust state and federal funding, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in the United States, which continues to underpin demand for CRH's materials and services. CRH is positioned as a leading infrastructure materials provider in the region.
- Strategic Acquisitions and Portfolio Management: CRH has a demonstrated history of creating value through strategic acquisitions, which have historically contributed significantly to the company's growth. The company continues to actively invest in bolt-on acquisitions and integrate new assets, such as Eco Material Technologies and a majority stake in Adbri, to enhance its building solutions capabilities and generate synergies.
- Effective Commercial Management and Pricing: The company consistently highlights "pricing progress" and "commercial management" as crucial elements driving revenue and margin expansion. This reflects CRH's ability to effectively manage product pricing in response to market dynamics and inflationary cost pressures, contributing to sustained financial performance.
- Focus on Higher-Growth Construction Segments: CRH is strategically focusing on higher-growth construction segments, including robust non-residential demand driven by trends like onshoring and increased industrial activity (e.g., new manufacturing facilities, data centers). The company also emphasizes providing customer-connected solutions for complex projects, which helps secure repeat business.
- Favorable Underlying Market Trends: General positive market trends and underlying demand across its key operational markets, including North America, Europe, and Australia, are expected to support continued growth. This encompasses recurring repair and remodel demand, particularly evident in Europe, alongside broader economic expansion and population growth.
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Share Repurchases
- CRH has an ongoing share buyback program, returning a cumulative $9.4 billion to shareholders since its commencement in May 2018.
- Annual share repurchases amounted to $3.067 billion in 2023 and $1.482 billion in 2024.
- A new $300 million buyback program commenced on November 6, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude no later than February 17, 2026.
Outbound Investments
- In November 2023, CRH agreed to acquire a portfolio of cement and readymixed concrete assets in Texas for $2.1 billion, with the transaction completing in February 2024.
- CRH completed 22 acquisitions in 2023 for a total consideration of $0.7 billion, including Hydro International.
- In Q1 2025, the company completed eight bolt-on acquisitions for $600 million.
Capital Expenditures
- Capital expenditures for fiscal years ending December 2020 to 2024 averaged $1.694 billion.
- CRH's capital expenditures were $1.817 billion in 2023 and $2.578 billion in 2024.
- The latest twelve months capital expenditures, as of June 2025, amounted to $2.748 billion.
