Vulcan Materials expedites Lafarge exit from New Mexico

Sources: Vulcan Materials Co., Birmingham, Ala.; CP staff

Lafarge North America has sold five ready mixed concrete, three asphalt and three  aggregate operations serving the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe, N.M., markets. The integrated properties comprise one of six third-quarter acquisitions through which Vulcan Materials invested nearly $320 million emanating from the sale of Florida concrete and cement production assets earlier this year.

Underscoring an aggregates-focused strategy behind that $720 million transaction with Argos USA, Vulcan notes that the New Mexico properties—coupled with sand & gravel and crushed stone operations from the five other deals—have netted more than 450 million tons of high quality, permitted reserves.

Beyond the Lafarge properties, Vulcan has added aggregate plants in Delaware (one), Phoenix (two) and the San Francisco Bay area (four). Rounding out a summer spree were Dallas-Ft. Worth and Oklahoma distribution yards, plus a quarry in the latter state, purchased from rival Martin Marietta Materials. That deal stemmed from U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division review of the Martin Marietta-Texas Industries merger, consummated in June.

Related articles:
Lafarge retreats from Maryland-D.C. market in Bluegrass Materials deal
Shareholders, Feds clear Martin Marietta, TXI merger
Argos Proceeds On Cemex-Blazed Trail