Northern Ireland-based Kilwaughter Minerals, a major producer of lime, is set to become part of the multi-national Saint-Gobain group.
The French group has confirmed that it has reached a “binding agreement” for the privately owned Northern Irish quarrying and mineral processor.
The acquisition has now been forwarded to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and the transaction is expected to close in the first half 2025.
Kilwaughter Minerals also detailed that the transaction is “subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions” but released no further details of the takeover.
The NI company operates a number of brands across the agricultural, landscaping and construction sectors including Kilwaughter Lime.
Its product lines include calcium carbonate powders, limestone sands, aggregates and minerals.
Lime
The company also produces ‘Co. Antrim white limestone’ which is used in both construction and agricultural industries throughout the country.
Founded in 1939, Kilwaughter Minerals is headquartered on a 187-acre site in Larne, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.
It also has distribution centres in Glasgow and St Helens and an office in Co. Cork.
The company stated that to year end, April 2024, Kilwaughter generated revenues of £50 million and had over 200 employees.
According to Gary Wilmot, CEO of Kilwaughter Minerals, the Northern Irish business is “excited” about the opportunity to join the Saint-Gobain group.
Wilmot added: “Kilwaughter has a rich company culture and heritage, and our focus remains on delivering a leading customer experience, underpinned by our trusted brands.
“We look forward to the added synergy that Saint-Gobain will undoubtedly bring and sharing our passion for innovation, quality and excellence.”
Saint-Gobain is a global leader in the design and manufacture of solutions for the construction industry and employs 160,000 people across 76 countries globally. It had €47.9 billion in sales in 2023.
The French group said the transaction will further strengthen its offering in the UK and Ireland in “light and sustainable construction” and that Kilwaughter Minerals “will be consolidated into the Northern Europe Region”.
