Derbyshire concrete flooring manufacturer sold in £20m deal

A Derbyshire manufacturer of concrete flooring has been sold in a £20m deal.

Bison, which makes the flooring in Swadlincote, has been sold by its parent company Laing O’Rourke to Forterra, the maker of masonry products.

Forterra says Bison’s Swadlincote plant is the largest and most technically advanced hollowcore manufacturing facility in the UK and includes a specialist precast facility capable of producing a wide range of bespoke precast concrete products. orterra management estimates that it would cost in excess of £35m to replicate these assets on a greenfield site.

Stephen Harrison, chief executive, said: “The acquisition is a unique opportunity to transform Forterra’s precast business in terms of scale and capability. We are acquiring well invested assets whilst at the same time solving the capacity constraints on growth within our own business. We gain a well-respected brand and will attain a market leading position as we look to grow the combined business.

“We are confident that the acquisition will create value for our shareholders.”