Operations Review – Materials Europe Materials Americas Materials Our national network of operations and  deep local market knowledge drive local  performance and national synergies in  procurement, cost management and  operational excellence. In a largely  unconsolidated sector where the top ten  industry participants account for just 30%  of aggregates production, 25% of asphalt  production and 20% of readymixed concrete  production, CRH is structured and positioned  to participate as the industry consolidates  further. Americas Materials employs  approximately 18,300 people in over 1,200  operating locations. Americas Materials’ strategy is to build strong  regional leadership positions underpinned  by well-located, long-term reserves.  Operating in 44 states with 13 billion tonnes  of permitted aggregates reserves of which  c.80% are owned, this business is vertically- integrated from primary resource quarries into  aggregates, asphalt and readymixed concrete  products. With 65% exposure to infrastructure,  the business is further integrated into asphalt  paving services through which it is a principal  supplier of product to highway repair and  maintenance demand. Development focus is centred on bolt-on  acquisitions for synergies, reserves and further  vertical integration in addition to opportunities  in contiguous regions to extend and strengthen  regional positions. Europe Materials has  championed CRH’s entry into developing  markets that offer long-term growth potential,  with entry via cement and aggregates assets  and the potential to roll out its operational  excellence programmes and vertical-integration  approach over time. In total, Europe Materials  employs approximately 10,700 people at close  to 590 locations. Europe Materials’ strategy is to build strong  vertically-integrated regional positions.  Operating in 17 countries, the business  is founded in resource-backed cement  and aggregates assets which support  the manufacture and supply of cement,  aggregates, concrete and asphalt products.  With a network of well-invested facilities,  Europe Materials focuses on operational  excellence initiatives which include production  efficiencies, greater use of alternative fuels and  manufacture of low carbon cements, while the  scale of our operations provides economies in  purchasing and logistics management. CRH operates strong vertically-integrated primary materials  businesses which have strategically located long-term  reserves, balanced end-use exposure and leading market  positions in all its major markets. Top: Finnsementti’s new cement  terminal in Vihreäsaari harbour, Oulu,  opened in May 2012. It stands 46  metres high with storage capacity of  14,000 tonnes. Bottom: CRH Tilcon employees at  work on the iconic George Washington  Bridge, New York. The project included  the removal and replacement of  deck panels using c.2,000 tonnes of  speciality asphalt mix. 24 CRH