An Irish Success Story
for over 40 Years
Myles Lee, Chief Executive Officer, CRH plc
CRH plc, the international building materials
group based in Belgard Castle in Dublin, was
founded in 1970 following the merger of two leading
indigenous Irish companies, Irish Cement Limited
and Roadstone Limited. Over the past 40 years,
CRH has grown from its Irish roots to become one
of the world’s leading integrated building materials
companies. Today, CRH employs approximately
75,000 people at over 3,600 operating locations in
34 countries and directly benefits each and every
community in which it operates.
CRH’s strategic vision has been clear and consistent
– to be a responsible international leader in building
materials delivering superior performance and
growth. In applying this vision, CRH has delivered
superior and sustained shareholder returns, while
reducing its dependence on individual markets and
achieving a balance in its geographic presence and
portfolio of products.
CRH’s foundations in Ireland have been built upon
over many years. Following its first acquisition
in 1973 in mainland Europe, the 1970s also saw
CRH begin its expansion into the Americas.
Operating as Oldcastle, CRH is now the leading
integrated building materials company in the
US with operations in all 50 US states and in 4
Canadian provinces. CRH also continued to expand
in Europe, including the newly emerging Eastern
economies. Today, CRH has key market leadership
positions in many European countries in primary
building materials businesses, value-added building
products and building materials distribution.
In the developing economies of emerging regions,
CRH’s strategy is clear: to target premium assets as
an initial footprint, usually in cement and often in
partnership with strong local established businesses.
CRH identifies entry platforms that have