BPB is pleased to announce its third successful acquisition in Mexican building plasters, with the integration of El Tigre in Mexico City establishing BPB as the clear market leader in south and central Mexico. The group’s positioning as a leading supplier of high quality plasters to the growing construction industry will be further strengthened following the commissioning of additional capacity at BPB’s San Luis Potosi plant in early 2006.


New developments and capital investments to meet expected medium-term sales growth for building plasters in BPB’s European and Emerging Markets include:

• commencement of sales from the new plasters facility at Mumbai, supplying the fast growing market in western India, with plans underway to commission additional capacity by early 2007




• plans for increased manufacturing capacities in the rapidly growing markets of Turkey, Egypt and South Africa
  
  
  
• substantial investment underway in Spain, focusing on new capacity for added-value lightweight plasters, and additional UK capacity due on-stream at the East Leake facility by mid 2007

Commenting on the group’s expansion in Mexico and its growing global plasters business, Richard Cousins, BPB chief executive said:


“Mexico represents an important and potentially substantial market for BPB and excellent progress is being achieved in developing a leading national presence.


Our global plaster sales volumes grew by more than 6% in the first-half of 2005/06, driven by strong demand in Spain, the British Isles, Italy, Turkey and Emerging Markets and this business offers BPB significant opportunities for delivering future profitable growth.”

Notes to editors

• BPB is the world leader in the supply of plasterboard and gypsum plasters, and a major supplier of insulation, ceiling tiles and related products for interiors, serving growing markets for building systems in over 50 countries.

ENDS

Contacts:
Faeth Birch, Finsbury (020 7251 3801)
Available on BPB’s website: www.bpb.com