Etex, the Belgium-based global building materials manufacturer and pioneer in lightweight construction, has closed the acquisition of West Australian construction materials company BGC’s plasterboard and fibre cement businesses. Through this deal, Etex expands its sustainable activities in the attractive Australian and New Zealand markets, with significant growth opportunities.

The acquisition deal includes BGC’s 56,000-square-metre plasterboard plant in Perth, Western Australia, and a strong network of nine warehouses across Australia and New Zealand. In sales, the activities related to the acquisition represented AUD 155 million, or EUR 93 million, for the full-year 2023 closed at the end of June.

Etex’s presence in Australia and New Zealand now boasts 24 sites, almost 600 teammates, and leading commercial brands such as Siniat plasterboard and metal, Promat passive fire protection and high-temperature insulation, EQUITONE fibre cement cladding panels, and Skamol insulation systems.

“We warmly welcome our 200 new teammates coming from BGC,” said Etex CEO Bernard Delvaux. “Joining forces with their plasterboard and fibre cement activities is a strategic opportunity for Etex. With this, we complement our gypsum footprint in Australia and, for our customers we further increase the accessibility of our sustainable products and services. Moreover, we take a top three position in the fibre cement market and are eager to start delivering quality fibre cement to new customers.”

Gavin Burton, Regional Head for Etex’s Building Performance division in Asia-Pacific, said, “We look forward to combining our joint expertise and are thrilled to expand our activities to Western Australia. We expect long-term market growth in Australia and New Zealand driven by an increasing population and a good penetration of key products, particularly plasterboard and fibre cement sidings.”

BGC CEO Danny Cooper added, “I wish to thank all the BGC Plasterboard and Fibre Cement employees for their dedication over many years and for their hard work. It is our workforce that made these businesses a success and I am sure they will thrive and deliver value for Etex in the years to come. I would also like to thank our customer and supplier partners who have been great supporters of our plasterboard and fibre cement businesses for many years.”

On the sustainability front, Etex Australia is a pioneer as it is the only manufacturer of plasterboard and metal systems in the country to offer an opt-in carbon neutral program called Opt2Act for a range of its Siniat products.

Image: BGC offices in Hazelmere, Perth