Saint-Gobain announced in a press release that Continental Building Products has obtained shareholder approval to be acquired by Saint-Gobain and that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has expired thereby satisfying the regulatory approval requirements under the merger agreement. The Group expects the deal to close on February 3, 2020.
“We are excited to have quickly received all necessary approvals to finalize the acquisition of Continental Building Products,” said Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain, in the release. “This transaction will allow us to become a leading player in plasterboard and construction solutions across North America. It will enable the Group to enhance its growth and profitability profile, in line with the objectives of our ‘Transform & Grow’ program, and will create value for our shareholders.”
Upon completion of the transaction, Saint-Gobain will acquire all the outstanding shares of Continental Building Products for $37.00 per share, in cash, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion (approximately €1.3 billion).
Continental Building Products, a plasterboard company in North America, employs 645 people and is expected to generate 2019 revenues of approximately $510 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $130 million per broker consensus.
“By combining forces with Continental Building Products, we have a unique opportunity to deliver innovative products to growth markets across North America, while maintaining a superior level of customer service,” said Benoit Bazin, Chief Operating Officer, Saint-Gobain, in the release. “We are delighted that key leaders of Continental Building Products will be joining our plasterboard business in the US, which will be managed by Jay Bachmann, former CEO of Continental Building Products, reporting to Mark Rayfield, CEO Saint-Gobain North America. Our integration plan is on track and we are confident in our ability to deliver the expected synergies.”
The Press Release Outlined Strategic Benefits:
- Broadens Saint-Gobain’s asset portfolio and enhances ability to provide wider customer base with innovative solutions. The combination will allow customers to benefit from an enriched product portfolio supported by Saint-Gobain’s global R&D and product development infrastructure.
- Increases Saint-Gobain’s presence in growth regions in the United States. Continental Building Products provides a strong geographic complement to Saint-Gobain’s North American operations, good positioning in growth regions in the East and Southeast United States, and strong profitability.
- Similar culture and shared values. The integration of both companies will be enabled by similar business cultures and operational models, which will allow the acceleration of value creation for our shareholders and our customers.
- Creates opportunity for at least $50 million in cost synergies and performance improvements. These cost synergies are expected by the end of the third year following transaction close (i.e. full year 2022, one year ahead of the initial schedule). Saint-Gobain expects the synergies will be captured through the integration of Continental Building Products’ operations into Saint-Gobain’s North America gypsum business.
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