Sources: Votorantim Cement North America Inc., Toronto; CP staff
After at least six months of discussions, Votorantim Cement North America (VCNA) announced last week closing on an asset deal involving of one of the industry's largest independent ready mixed operators, Bridgeview, Ill.-based Prairie Material Sales Inc. The transaction spans 81 ready mixed concrete plants (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin), 17 aggregate operations (Illinois, Indiana), and related hauling assets; collectively, they reported sales of about $450 million in 2007 and have a payroll upwards of 1,800. The concrete plants are strategic to the buyer's flagship business, Toronto-based St. Marys Cement. Through six cement mills and grinding operations in Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, St. Marys feeds a network of 12 Great Lakes terminals serving markets anchored by Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, N.Y.

Chicago market-leading Prairie Material Sales will maintain its identity, as will satellite businesses in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. VCNA has retained Prairie Material's management team, including Will Glusac, who was appointed president in late-2006 after serving in the same capacity with the Rinker/Florida Materials Division. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed and do not include Prairie Group's other principal business, Illinois Brick Co. A key masonry dealer with 12 northern and central Illinois yards and showrooms, including a headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights, it remains under Oremus family members, Prairie Group principals.