Cementos Argos to combine its operations in the United States with Summit Materials

The agreement will have a component of stock consideration worth approximately US$2 billion and cash payment of approximately US$1.2 billion (subject to customary closing adjustments), resulting in a valuation of Argos North America of US$3.2 billion or 10x EV/EBITDA 2023e or 12x EV/EBITDA LTM as of 2Q23.

Summit Materials (SUM: NYSE) is a building materials company listed on the NYSE since 2015. The company operates in more than 20 states in the United States and Canada. It operates across aggregates, cement, concrete, and other complementary businesses in the building materials industry, with assets that include 217 aggregate mines, 2 cement plants along the Mississippi River, and approximately 84 concrete plants.

Argos North America Corp brings to the combination its 4 integrated cement plants, 2 grinding stations, 140 ready-mix concrete plants, and a complementary distribution network of 8 maritime ports and 10 inland terminals.

The combination would create:

• A company with combined proforma revenues over US$4 billion and approximately US$1 billion in EBITDA, including synergies.
• The 4th largest cement platform in the United States, with an approximate capacity of 11.6 million tpy.
• The 6th largest aggregates platform in the United States, with reserves of over 5.5 billion short tons and annual sales of around 70 million short tons.
• One of the largest concrete producers, with more than 220 plants and more than 1800 mixers.

As a result, the combined company will have presence in 30 states, with a strong positioning in high growth markets, with complete vertical integration from quarries to end customer in many of them. Having access to an extensive ports and terminal network will enable competitive imports of building materials to better serve customers by complementing domestic production.

This combination unlocks estimated annual synergies of, at least, US$100 million, with significant realization within 2 years, derived from optimized sourcing, enhanced operational efficiencies, increased utilisation of the import terminals’ network, and an augmented asset base to increase the use of alternative fuels. Likewise, it leverages on a cement supply agreement from the Cartagena plant and enhances the ability to pursue attractive growth opportunities, both organic and inorganic, in current business lines and in others such as supplementary cementitious materials and new sources of aggregates.

Juan Esteban Calle, CEO of Cementos Argos, stated: "This combination reaffirms our commitment to growth in the US market while realizing and optimizing our intention to list the U.S. business on the NYSE as the most efficient way to unlock the fundamental value of Cementos Argos' assets and businesses in that country. Being an active player in a publicly traded leading building materials platform, with a significant component of aggregates and cement on the world's most attractive market, is a pivotal step in the value generation strategy we launched months ago with the SPRINT program for the benefit of all our shareholders. Cementos Argos' participation in Summit Materials will continue to provide our shareholders with significant exposure to the US market."

Having been prepared to carry out a public offering on the New York Stock Exchange and awaiting favorable market conditions for listing, Argos finds in this combination an alternative for value generation to shareholders and an efficient path to execute the strategic plan of the U.S. business, Through a platform with a proven track record of growth, real-time asset valuation, and high liquidity.

The transaction is expected to close in the first semester of 2024, subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

With this transaction, Cementos Argos strengthens its presence in the United States, contributing to the combined entity its knowledge and leadership in sustainability and innovation initiatives.

Furthermore, upon the closing of the agreement, Argos is expected to achieve an estimated net debt / EBITDA ratio of 1.8 times, resulting in greater financial flexibility to continue advancing its value generation strategy in all the geographies where it operates.

To the new US platform, as well as in Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean, Cementos Argos will provide its proven export capacity from Cartagena, the strength of its trading unit, advancements in digital, analytics, and innovation in products and processes, the acceleration of calcined clay technology, and leverage Summa, the shared services company of Grupo Argos.

Jorge Mario Velásquez, CEO of Grupo Argos, stated: "We are delivering to the market a transaction worth over $3 billion, which allows us to combine the assets of Argos USA with a vehicle that has liquid listed securities on the New York Stock Exchange. This provides access to new opportunities and realizes a value equivalent to 10x EV/EBITDA, a significant milestone for Grupo Argos as the main shareholder of Cementos Argos."

Anne Noonan, Summit Materials President, and CEO said: “Our combination with Argos USA marks a significant milestone as we execute against and accelerate our materials-led portfolio strategy. The transaction will extend our geographic reach into high growth markets, creating a leading cement position nationwide, and bring together two talent-rich organizations to innovate and deliver value-added solutions for our customers. Financially, we have clear line of sight to achieving targeted synergies greater than $100 million and fully expect to unlock the full potential of this powerful combination. The Argos USA team has done an excellent job growing and operating its business, and we look forward to welcoming them, and their expertise, to the Summit family."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/07092023/cementos-argos-to-combine-its-operations-in-the-united-states-with-summit-materials/