Regulators exact deep concessions in Lafarge, Holcim merger reviews

Federal Trade Commission and Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) have outlined consent agreements approving the scope or direction of Lafarge North America, Holcim (US) Inc. and Holcim (Canada) Inc. operations following the Lafarge S.A. and Holcim Ltd. merger. The mega-deal is set to close in July as an exchange offer commences this month: 10 Lafarge shares for nine Holcim shares, netting LafargeHolcim.

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U.S., Canadian regulators do their Lafarge, Holcim merger math

Sources: CP staff; Federal Trade Commission; Canadian Competition Bureau

A May 8 Federal Trade Commission statement addresses a consent agreement tied to the Lafarge S.A. and Holcim Ltd. merger, and how Lafarge North America and Holcim (US) Inc. asset sales resolve an administrative complaint alleging anticompetitive effect in 12 U.S. markets and two regions.

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Lafarge, Holcim merger ushers realignment of U.S. and Canadian markets

Sources: CP staff; U.S. Federal Trade Commission; Canadian Competition Bureau

Officials in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa confirmed in early-May consent agreements the approved scope or direction of Lafarge North America, Holcim (US) Inc. and Holcim (Canada) Inc. operations following the Lafarge S.A. and Holcim Ltd. merger.

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IronPlanet, Cat auction pinpoint synergies in pending merger

IronPlanet, a leading online marketplace for buying and selling used heavy equipment and trucks, and Associated Auction Services LLC, an alliance of Caterpillar Inc. and a group of its dealers operating as Cat Auction Services, anticipate finalizing a merger agreement—announced late last year—during the first quarter. The combined business will afford used heavy construction equipment buyers and sellers a unique auction experience, officials note, backed by unmatched technology and services.

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Shareholders, Feds clear Martin Marietta, TXI merger

Sources: Martin Marietta Materials, Raleigh, N.C.; U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division; CP staff

Five months of shareholder guidance and regulatory review appear to have gone according to script for Martin Marietta, which is on track to promptly consummate a merger positioning it as the largest U.S.-based aggregate, cement and ready mixed producer.

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Commanding a New Era

David Pitre is 2014-15 Chairman of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
David Pitre is 2014-15 Chairman of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute accomplished a great amount in 2013, which seemed fitting as it entered a new era as this year marks ICPI’s 20th anniversary. Convening in New Orleans in late March for the 2014 Annual Meeting and anniversary observance, David Pitre, director of Engineering Products for Pavestone Co., opened the general session and began his two-year term as chairman at the close of the meeting.

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Investors like advanced talks of possible Holcim, Lafarge merger

Sources: Holcim Ltd., Zurich; Lafarge Group, Paris; CP staff

Two of top five global players in concrete, cement and aggregates confirm  discussions surrounding a potential “merger of equals which builds on the strengths and identities of the two companies,” but stipulate that no deal has been reached nor can assurance be given that discussions will lead to definitive agreement.

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Martin Marietta Materials + Texas Industries

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and Texas Industries, Inc. announced in late January their boards’ unanimous approval of a definitive merger agreement under which Martin Marietta will acquire all outstanding shares of TXI common stock in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. Based at existing Raleigh, N.C., headquarters and operating under the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. banner, the combined entity will create a market-leading supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials, with low-cost, vertically integrated aggregate and targeted cement operations.

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Martin Marietta strategy chief to lead Texas Industries integration

Sources: Martin Marietta Materials Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff

In an upbeat, company-wide memo, Martin Marietta CEO Ward Nye underscores positive market, investor and employee response to the Texas Industries merger announcement three weeks prior, noting that “all remains on schedule for a targeted closing sometime this summer.”

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TXI merger entrenches Martin Marietta in ready mixed production

Sources: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.; CP staff

The boards of Martin Marietta and Dallas-based Texas Industries, Inc. have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Martin Marietta will acquire all outstanding shares of TXI common stock in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. Based at existing Raleigh headquarters and operating under the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. banner, the combined entity will create a market-leading supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials, with low-cost, vertically integrated aggregate and targeted cement operations. With greater geographic and product diversity and a leading distribution network, it will have uniquely positioned assets across some of the nation’s largest and fastest growing geographies.

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