Gypsum industry news

Australia: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved Knauf’s acquisition of USG subject to asset divestments. The ACCC’s review focused on competition for the supply of wallboard, joint plaster compounds and treatments, metal profiles, fixed and modular suspended ceilings and insulation.

USG has a presence in Australia through its USG-Boral joint venture, which the ACCC says competes with Knauf and with Armstrong World Industries. The commission requires Knauf to divest USG’s interest in the joint venture, either entirely or just in Australasia, to a buyer approved by the ACCC. If divestiture of the joint venture interest is not achieved within a certain period, Knauf has agreed to divest certain other assets.

“The transactions raised some significant concerns as it would lead to Knauf owning a 50% in the joint venture, which is a significant competitor in several markets, including markets with limited alternatives for customers,” said ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston.

Each acquisition is subject to review by different international competition agencies given the global nature of the Knauf’s acquisition of USG.

Switzerland: Sika has appointed Philippe Jost as its new head of Construction and a member of group management with effect from 1 June 2019. He will succeeds Yumi Kan who will become the Regional Target Market Manager Concrete Asia/Pacific and Area Manager South Asia.

Jost, aged 47 years, began his career at Sika in 1997. He held various management positions at the Swiss and US national subsidiaries, before joining the corporate organisation in 2007, where he assumed the role of Corporate Target Market Manager Concrete, among others. In 2014 Jost was appointed Corporate Head Human Resources. He is a qualified civil engineer from ETH Zurich and holds an MBA from the London Business School. He is a Luxembourg national and is married with two children.