Gypsum industry news

Australia/US: The value of James Hardie’s Australia-listed shares fell by 15% following the announcement of a deal to buy AZEK. Financial analysts have expressed concern that the company is overpaying for more access to a slowing US housing market, according to Reuters. Analysts from Morgan Stanley said that the deal carried "a heavy premium and elevated multiple.” They added that they expected the market would be wary of synergy savings targets.

James Hardie agreed to buy AZEK for US$8.75bn, using a combination of cash and shares, on 24 March 2025. As part of the deal it will take on AZEK’s net debt of US$386m. AZEK shareholders will receive US$26.5 in cash and 1.034 ordinary shares of James Hardie for each AZEKL share they own. Upon completion of the transaction, James Hardie and AZEK shareholders are expected to own approximately 74% and 26%, respectively, of the combined company. It is hoped that the deal will create a “leading exterior and outdoor living building products growth platform.” The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. It is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and AZEK shareholder approval.

James Hardie manufactures fibre gypsum products in Europe and fibre cement products around the world. It is headquartered in Ireland, its management is based in the US and it is listed in both Australia and the US. AZEK makes exterior residential decking, siding, trim and moulding products. It is based in the US.

US: Cold-formed steel framing products company ClarkDietrich has acquired fellow framing producer Studs Unlimited from building materials distributor Foundation Building Materials. ClarkDietrich says that the Oklahoma City-based business will help to accelerate its growth.

ClarkDietrich president Brian Panuccio said "We are excited to welcome the Studs Unlimited employees to the ClarkDietrich family. This geographic expansion will help us amplify our service levels to our customers located in the Midwestern US. We will be significantly expanding the existing footprint of Studs Unlimited by adding square footage and machinery to the operation."

Mexico: Saint-Gobain has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire construction chemicals producer Ovniver Group for US$815m. The parties expect to conclude the deal in early 2025. Ovniver Group produces its CeMix brand adhesives, renders, surface preparations and waterproofing products across 16 sites in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the US.

Ovniver Group recorded revenues of US$285m in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 20% over the past five years.

Canada: GMS has acquired retailer Yvon Building Supply and its affiliates. Yvon Building Supply operates at seven locations in Ontario, supplying gypsum wallboard and other construction products to the local market.

GMS president and CEO John C Turner said "We are pleased to enhance our service and product offerings in the Greater Toronto market with the successful completion of this transaction. We are excited to welcome the Yvon team to GMS Canada and look forward to expanding our core and complementary products in southern Ontario."

Canada: US-based Arclin has concluded a deal to acquire fellow construction polymers producer RG Dispersants from CPS Performance Materials. RG Dispersants employs 150 people across its operations, with plants in Candiac, Quebec, and Cedartown, US.

Arclin president and CEO Bradley Bolduc said "The addition of RG Dispersantswill add applications such as wallboard, speciality concrete and speciality rubber/tyre production."

Australia: Shareholders in CSR have voted in favour of the company’s proposed acquisition by France-based Saint-Gobain for US$2.87bn.

CSR chair John Gillam said “The attractive value creation for shareholders arising from the planned acquisition by Saint-Gobain is a clear validation of the strategy and its successful execution by the CSR team under Julie Coates’ leadership. Organisations like Saint-Gobain don’t just casually start trading in a new country if they haven’t got a productive capacity to back up what they’re selling, so they’re looking to participate in this economy by acquiring at a very strong price.”

Canada: Saint-Gobain completed its acquisition of building materials producer Bailey Group on 3 June 2024. Bailey Group produces structural and wallboard framing, wallboard trim and other systems. Saint-Gobain says that Bailey Group will enrich its full-range offer of exterior and interior solutions in Canada.

Canada: US-based GMS has agreed to acquire Yvon Building Supply and associated companies for US$144m. The deal includes Yvon Insulation, Yvon Insulation Windsor, Laminated Glass Technologies and Right Fit Foam Insulation. The transaction is expected to close in July 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

GMS expects to fund the purchase with cash and its established revolving credit facility. Once completed, the Yvon companies are expected to continue to operate under their existing brand names and under the leadership of current president, Tom Scott. In addition, Yvon will partner with GMS Canada’s Watson and Blair brands in the local market.

John C Turner, Jr, the president and CEO of GMS said, “We look forward to this transaction expanding our product and service offerings, including further expanding our Complementary Products category, in the fast-growing Greater Toronto Area and throughout southern Ontario.”

Canada: France-based Saint-Gobain has entered into an agreement to acquire Bailey Metal Products for US$649m. The group says that the structural framework producer will help to strengthen its lightweight construction offering. It said that Bailey Metal Products is a ‘long-standing partner’ that has previously supplied ceiling grids, frames and fasteners for its own lightweight construction products.

Australia: Belgium-based Etex has acquired BGC Plasterboard and BGC Fibre Cement from BGC. The assets include the Hazelmere gypsum wallboard plant in Western Australia, as well as nine warehouses across Australia and New Zealand. Both businesses reported total sales of US$101m in the 2023 financial year.

Etex CEO Bernard Delvaux said “We warmly welcome our 200 new teammates coming from BGC. Joining forces with their plasterboard and fibre cement activities is a strategic opportunity for Etex. With this, we complement our gypsum footprint in Australia and, for our customers, we further increase the accessibility of our sustainable products and services.”

Etex already operates three gypsum wallboard plants in Australia, in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.