RMC Group

The Company was founded in 1930 by the Danish civil engineer Kjeld Ammentorp as Ready Mixed Concrete Limited in Bedfont.{{cite web |title=Ready mixed fortunes |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=28 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327222821/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2895898/Ready-mixed-fortunes.html |archive-date=27 March 2019 |url-status=live |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2895898/Ready-mixed-fortunes.html}} In 1952, Ready Mixed Concrete of Australia reversed into its UK rival and began to expand. During 1962, the company was listed for the first time on the London Stock Exchange.

During 1979, the company created Thorpe Park in Staines, Surrey, via the redevelopment of one of its disused quarries as a leisure park once quarrying activity had been completed.{{Cite web |title=Thorpe Park History Timeline |url=https://memoriesofthorpepark.co.uk/disneyland/park-history/thorpe-park-history-timeline/ |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=memoriesofthorpepark.co.uk}}"Park of lakes", Staines and District Chronicle, 25 May 1979, p. 21. Up until 1998, RMC Group operated Thorpe Park, at which point it was sold to The Tussauds Group, owner of Alton Towers and nearby Chessington World of Adventures.{{cite web |url = http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4582492-1.html |title = England's Thorpe Park sold to Tussauds Group |website = allbusiness.com |access-date = 24 February 2025}}

Throughout the early 1990s, RMC Group, akin to its numerous domestic competitors, pursued expansion within the European market.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/14sep90-uk-blue-circle-rugby-group-rmc-and-steetley-all-announce-european-joint-ventures-or-acquisitions-13-09-1990/ |title = 14Sep90 UK: BLUE CIRCLE, RUGBY GROUP, RMC AND STEETLEY ALL ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN JOINT VENTURES OR ACQUISITIONS |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 13 September 1990}} In December 1990, it established a joint venture with Isle of Man Assurance to undertaken land purchases.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/21dec90-uk-rmc-group-and-isle-of-man-assurance-set-up-vulture-fund-for-land-purchases-20-12-1990/ |title = 21Dec90 UK: RMC GROUP AND ISLE OF MAN ASSURANCE SET UP VULTURE FUND FOR LAND PURCHASES |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 20 December 1990}} During September 1995, it was announced that RMC Group would take full control of its German subsidiary via a £356 million transaction to buy the outstanding 36.4 per cent stake.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-takes-full-control-of-german-arm-14-09-1995/ |title = RMC takes full control of German arm |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 14 September 1995}} One year later, the company entered into a unsuccessful bidding war for the Midlands-based aggregates firm Ennemix against the French industrial group Lafarge.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/ennemix-bid-battle-enter-rmc-16-07-1996/ |title = Ennemix bid battle: enter RMC |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 16 July 1996}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/uk-authorities-to-look-at-lafarge-bid-for-redland-1296737.html |title = UK authorities to look at Lafarge bid for Redland |publisher = The Independent |first = Andrew |last = Yates |date = 28 November 1997}}

In early 1996, despite a downturn in demand (which was partially attributed to a decrease in road-related work),{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-and-camas-hit-by-roads-cutbacks-27-09-1996/ |title = RMC and Camas hit by roads cutbacks |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 27 September 1996 }} RMC Group successfully enacted a price rise.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-prices-hold-firm-despite-falling-demand-25-04-1996/ |title = RMC prices hold firm despite falling demand |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 25 April 1996 |first = Bill |last = Fishlock}} Around this time, as a result of recently introduced legislation, RMC Group (along with other British-based aggregates firms) was compelled to diversity into waste management and recycling activities.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/forecasters-predict-aggregates-producers-will-face-further-constraints-landfill-tax-only-the-start-say-economists-03-10-1996/ |title = Forecasters predict aggregates producers will face further constraints Landfill tax only the start, say economists |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 3 October 1996 }} During 1997, the company reported strong financial results;{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/materials-duo-cement-better-returns-in-uk-25-09-1997/ |title = Materials duo cement better returns in UK |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 25 September 1997 }}{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/materials-giant-sees-33-million-wiped-from-its-profits-by-the-strong-pound-rmc-looks-for-growth-as-sterling-saps-profits-16-04-1998/ |title = Materials giant sees £33 million wiped from its profits by the strong pound RMC looks for growth as sterling saps profits |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 16 April 1998 |first = Bill |last = Fishlock}} it also mooted plans to launch a new concrete operation in India.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-set-to-spice-up-sales-in-india-17-04-1997/ |title = RMC set to spice up sales in India |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 17 April 1997 }}

During August 1998, RMC Group sold its builders' merchant chain, Hall & Co, to the building materials firm Wolseley in exchange for £121 million.{{cite web |url =https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/group-now-offers-national-coverage-in-heavyside-market-03-09-1998/ |title = Group now offers national coverage in heavyside market |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 3 September 1998 }} The firm's fiscal performance continued to be negatively impacted by a downturn in the German market during the latter half of 1998.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-pays-the-price-as-downturn-in-germany-takes-toll-on-materials-14-01-1999/ |title = RMC pays the price as downturn in Germany takes toll on materials |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 14 January 1999}} During early 1999, RMC Group stated that it had held discussions towards the potential acquisition of Scancem AB,{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/readymix-giant-may-break-with-tradition-and-purchase-european-cement-giant-rmc-considers-buying-cement-maker-scancem-08-04-1999/ |title = Readymix giant may break with tradition and purchase European cement giant RMC considers buying cement maker Scancem |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 8 April 1999 |first = Bill |last = Fishlock}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/rmc-may-enter-pounds-1bn-bid-battle-for-scancem-1073098.html |title = RMC may enter pounds 1bn bid battle for Scancem |publisher = The Independent |first = Francesco |last = Guerrera |date = 25 February 1999}} although the German firm Heidelberg Materials ultimately emerged as the victor.{{cite web |url = https://www.heidelbergmaterials.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/15_Heidelberg_Materials150Years_en_LQ_1.pdf |title = The History of Heidelberg Materials |website = heidelbergmaterials.com |date = 2023}}

In early 2000, the company completed the acquisition of one of its suppliers, the British cement producer Rugby Group, in exchange for £850 million.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/nov/08/1 |title = RMC set to mix it with £850m bid for Rugby |publisher = The Guardian |first = Jill |last = Treanor |date = 8 November 1999}} This acquisition was stated to achieve £30 million in savings every year.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/rmc-out-to-reap-rewards-of-group-growth-strategy-23-03-2000/ |title = RMC out to reap rewards of group growth strategy |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 23 March 2000 }} That same year, CEO Peter Young was replaced by Stuart Walker.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/mar/17/11 |title = RMC chief quits on high note |publisher = The Guardian |first = Anne |last = Hyland |date = 17 March 2000}}

During 2005, RMC Group was acquired by Cemex of Mexico for £2.3 billion; the transaction created the third largest cement producer in the world, behind Lafarge and Holcim.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/sep/28/1 |title = Mexican firm buys RMC for £2.3bn |publisher = The Guardian |first = Terry |last = Macalister |date = 28 September 2004}}{{cite web |url = https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/cemex-snaps-up-rmc-for-ps2-3bn-6939203.html |title = Cemex snaps up RMC for £2.3bn |first1 = Nick |last1 = Goodway |first2 = Bill |last2 = Condie |publisher = Evening Standard |date = 13 April 2012}}{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/750-jobs-go-in-rmc-clearout-2-22-06-2005/ |title = 750 jobs go in RMC clearout |website = constructionnews.co.uk |date = 22 June 2005 }}

• Aggregate Industries - UK Quarry company
• Blue Circle Industries - Cement
• Redland plc - Quarries and Ready-mix supplier
• Tarmac plc - Quarries and Ready-mix supplier
• Construction industry of the United Kingdom

• [http://www.rmc-group.com/ Cemex Official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229190847/http://www.rmc-group.com/ |date=29 December 2004 }}

{{Construction industry of the United Kingdom}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1930

Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange

Category:Companies based in Surrey

Category:Cement companies of the United Kingdom

Category:1930 establishments in England

Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 2005

Category:2005 disestablishments in England

{{industry-company-stub}}