Saint-Gobain S.A. (Courbevoie, France) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire FOSROC, a leading privately owned global construction chemicals player for $1.025 billion (approximately €960 million) in cash. Following the acquisitions of Chryso in 2021, GCP in 2022 and 33 additional acquisitions since 2021, this move is a new strategic step in establishing Saint-Gobain’s worldwide presence in construction chemicals, which will have combined sales of €6.2 billion across 73 countries following the acquisition (pro forma).
FOSROC is a global construction chemicals player with a strong geographic footprint in India, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific in particular. The company is expected to generate $487 million of sales and to achieve an EBITDA margin of 18.7% in 2024E. With 20 manufacturing plants and around 3,000 employees, FOSROC provides a wide range of technical solutions for the construction industry, including admixtures and additives for concrete and cement, adhesives and sealants, waterproofing solutions, concrete repair solutions and flooring.
The purchase price represents an acquisition multiple (before synergies) of approximately 11.3x FOSROC’s 2024E EBITDA of $91 million, and a multiple of approximately 7.1x when including run-rate synergies of approximately $54 million in year 3. This acquisition will be fully financed in cash. The Group will maintain a strong balance sheet with net debt / EBITDA remaining at the low end of the target range (1.5x to 2.0x) including the recently announced Bailey and CSR Limited acquisitions. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected in first-half 2025.