Saint-Gobain considers move for BPB
French glass and building materials group Saint-Gobain said today it was mulling a takeover offer for UK plasterboard manufacturer BPB.
Saint-Gobain has more than 40 subsidiary businesses in the UK and Ireland, involved in a range of manufacturing and distribution activities.
Saint-Gobain said in a statement that it was “considering its strategic options” regarding BPB, which “might or might not lead to a cash offer being made for the company”.
The French group added that it would make a further announcement “in due course”.
Shares in BPB hit the top of the FTSE 100 Index following the announcement, rising 25% or 131p to 643.5p.
Last month, BPB rejoined the Footsie, of which it was an original constituent, after an absence of more than 14 years.
The group, the world’s largest plasterboard maker, runs 90 factories worldwide and sells products such as insulation and ceiling tiles in more than 50 countries.
