CRH spent £83.5 million on developments during the first half of the year in addition to the £43 million paid for the acquisition of M.A. Segale Inc announced in May, writes Bill Murdoch.

Around £35.9 million was spent in North America where its acquisitions included: Evans Construction, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Coeur d'Alene Asphalt inc, based in northern Idaho and three add-on acquisitions in Colorado/ New Mexico. Some £30.9 million was spent in Europe. This included the installation of a new plant at Roadstone Provinces in Gooig, Co Limerick. Roadstone Dublin installed a new block plant at its Belgard quarry.