Gypsum industry news

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."

US: GMS grew its sales by 3% year-on-year to US$5.5bn in the 2023 financial year. It attributed this partly to high volumes of multi-family residential construction. The group’s Canadian operations contributed US$660m (12%) of sales. GMS recorded adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $616m, down by 7% year-on-year.

During the year, the company made three new acquisitions. It repurchased US$116m-worth of shares and refinanced its senior secured term loan to extend its maturity by seven years, to 2030.

US: US gypsum wallboard sales grew by 1% year-on-year to 628Mm² during the first quarter of 2024. The country imported 20.1Mm² of gypsum wallboard, down by 13% year-on-year. Mexico supplied 19.3Mm² (96%) and Canada 800,000m² (4%) of imports. Meanwhile, the US exported 19.1Mm² of gypsum wallboard during the quarter, 18Mm² (94%) of it to Canada.

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: USG subsidiary CGC has begun construction of its upcoming Wheatland gypsum wallboard plant in Alberta. The plant will be equipped with a captive solar power plant, and designed for maximum energy and water efficiency.

USG CEO Chris Griffin said "Today's groundbreaking marks a significant win for CGC operations in Western Canada and for our ambitious growth plans in Canada more broadly. This project underscores our commitment to being the best wallboard manufacturer to do business with, particularly as builders, governments and communities across Alberta and the West work to expand housing starts, accessibility and affordability."

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: Wheatland County Municipal Planning Commission has granted Canadian Gypsum Company permission to build a gypsum wallboard plant in Wheatland, Alberta. The Canadian Press has reported that the company, along with Invest Alberta Corporation and the government of Alberta, will invest US$153m in the project.

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.

Canada: Canadian Gypsum Company (CGC) plans to build a US$155m gypsum wallboard plant in Wheatland County, Alberta. The producer has acquired 86.6 hectares of land near the town of Carseland. It will also use the site for a 15MW solar power plant. CGC has hired Duane Van Duuren as the upcoming plant’s general manager.

Van Duuren said "The solar field will be more than enough to support our energy needs with clean power, and so this is really exciting for our company. We want to bring the best products to Western Canada and be a great community member both socially and environmentally.”

Canada: CertainTeed Canada has begun upgrading its Montréal gypsum wallboard plant to convert the plant to net zero Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions. The producer says that the plant will become the first net-zero facility of its kind in North America.