CRH’s entry into the Asian materials market came in 2008 through the acquisition of the Harbin Sanling cement company in Northeast China. This was quickly followed by a 26% stake in Yatai Building Materials in Northeast China. Our primary footprint in Asia is in the Philippines, where we operate under the Republic Cement brand, the country’s leading cement producer.
With exposure to industrialisation, urbanisation and population-related construction demand in Asia’s developing economies, the growth potential in the region is vast. We currently employ 1,059 people at our operating locations with a further 5,810 in our equity-accounted businesses.