Gypsum industry news

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: 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: 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: GMS has acquired Jawl Lumber Corporation, a leading producer of lumber and associated building materials on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. GMS says that Jawl Lumber Corporation's offering complements its own existing range.

Group president and CEO John Turner said “This acquisition will further strengthen our ability to serve our customers and provide an opportunity to expand our tools and fasteners offerings to a new customer base, reinforcing our existing market position on Vancouver Island.”

Saudi Arabia: Mada Gypsum plans to reposition itself as a solutions provider, while retaining its core offer of gypsum wallboard. Accordingly, it has launched a new brand identity under the motto Building Excellence. Gulf Construction News has reported that the company is seeking to increase its offering of gypsum wallboard internal lining solutions and to maximise its production of components for its system solution in-house.

President Greg Smith said “Mada Gypsum has been repositioning itself and building capabilities with a focus on promoting itself as a system provider. This shift from being a plasterboard supplier to systems supplier was an important differentiator that allowed us to leverage the strength we have with our other products such as metal profiles, ceiling tiles, glass matt sheathing, fibre cement boards and joint compound.” Smith concluded “Our evolution now to a solution provider is a natural progression, as we have the structure, the people and the products in place.”

UAE: Gypsemna says that it has added a new gypsum wallboard systems line at its 50Mm²/yr Musaffah gypsum wallboard plant in Abu Dhabi. The Musaffah plant is the largest gypsum wallboard plant in the Gulf region.

US: Saint-Gobain has agreed to buy construction chemicals producer GCP Applied Technologies. Reuters News has reported that the move continues Saint-Gobain’s industrial diversification, as it also seeks to maximise its growth opportunities from the US’s on-going infrastructure overhaul. Saint-Gobain expects to conclude the deal by 2023 and will finance the acquisition through cash on its balance sheet.

Chief executive officer Benoit Bazin said “After the successful acquisition of Chryso, GCP is the logical next step to expand Saint-Gobain's presence in admixtures and additives, which provide key solutions to de-carbonise the construction industry.” He added “This acquisition is a decisive step in establishing Saint-Gobain's leading position worldwide in construction chemicals, with total sales of more than US$4.51bn [combined], up from US$3.39bn.”

Kenya/Mauritius: Saint-Gobain says that has acquired a gypsum wallboard plant in Nairobi, Kenya. The company says that it plans to build a construction chemicals line on the site of the plant. According to the Global Gypsum Directory 2021, Erdemann Gypsum and Tanzania Gypsum respectively operate 10Mm2/yr and 12Mm2/yr gypsum wallboard plants in the Kenyan capital city. Saint-Gobain has also taken over a majority stake in Chryso additives, mortars and waterproofers producer ABE Mauritius in Mauritius.

The company is seeking to expand its range of light and sustainable construction solution through the acquisitions. Its footprint in Africa extends over 12 countries across 29 facilities, nine of which it opened in the past two years.