Breedon Signals Brexit Uncertainty Could Create Opportunities for Acquisitions

THURSDAY, JULY 21 ST, 2016 

In its latest interim results, Breedon Executive Chairman, Peter Tom CBE, has hinted the business is in the market for ‘more bolt-on acquisitions’ and that Brexit uncertainly may ‘create further opportunities for value creation‘. His statement came on the back of strong results for the business with revenue up to £163 million, a 2% rise compared to the same period last year.

In his full statement, Peter said: “We delivered an excellent operating performance in the first half, with both our businesses making strong contributions, improving revenues and EBIT margins.

“Whatever the prognosis for the UK economy, we remain confident that we can continue to generate value for our shareholders.  We have some major contracts which will help to underpin our performance during a period of uncertainty, along with a strong balance sheet and a record of strong cash generation in challenging markets.  We have also demonstrated our ability to deliver a strong performance through determined self-help and we will maintain this discipline irrespective of market conditions.

“The strategic rationale of the acquisition of Hope remains compelling and it will present new opportunities to deliver self-help improvements.  It will also give us an even stronger platform for growth through a broader geographical footprint, increased scale, improved product mix, greater financial capacity and some highly talented people.  We fully intend to use this strengthened platform to continue to pursue our strategy of consolidating the UK building materials market.  Indeed, we believe that market uncertainty may create further opportunities for value-creating acquisitions and we are currently considering a number of potential bolt-ons.

“Against this background we remain confident of meeting 2016 market expectations.”