Gypsum industry news

US: Lowe's Companies Inc. has announced that it has acquired Foundation Building Materials (FBM), a wholesale distributor of building materials and construction products. The deal, which went through on 9 October 2025, came about two months after Lowe’s announced it had agreed to purchase FBM for US$8.8bn in August 2025.

Lowe's said in a press release that the completed deal is expected to enhance the company's offerings to professional builders by providing a wider variety of products, faster fulfilment times, improved digital tools and a robust trade credit platform.

FBM currently has 370 locations across the US and Canada and serves about 40,000 customers. It primarily sells to construction professionals and not the general public, meaning this acquisition won't significantly affect regular Lowe's customers. FBM supplies building materials, including wallboard, plaster, stucco and more.

US: Gypsum Management & Supply Inc. (GMS), has acquired the assets of Brown Machinery, a commercial and residential supplier of stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), concrete blocks, masonry and related products. Brown Machinery has four locations that serve Oklahoma and North Texas.

The newly-acquired company is expected to continue operating under its existing branding and will further support GMS’s presence throughout Oklahoma and surrounding markets. General Manager Justin Owens will continue to lead the business going forward, ensuring continuity and consistency for its customers, suppliers and employees.

John C Turner, Jr, President and CEO of GMS, said “We are pleased to welcome Brown Machinery and its team of respected and knowledgeable professionals to GMS. Reflecting the continued execution of our growth strategy, bringing the Brown Machinery team into the GMS family of brands will further expand distribution coverage of our Complementary Products throughout Oklahoma and surrounding markets while providing an even higher level of service to our customers.”

US: Lowe's has concluded a deal to acquire Foundation Building Materials for US$8.8bn. Foundation Building Materials is a distributor of gypsum wallboard and other building products. Baystreet News has reported that the deal marks Lowe's second acquisition in the residential construction segment so far in 2025.

Canada: CGC has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire steel framing components and gypsum wallboard trims producer Imperial Building Products (IBP). IBP operates five plants in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.

US: Paul Johnson Drywall (PJD) has acquired the assets of gypsum wallboard supply and installation contractor Advanced Drywall Systems. Advanced Drywall Systems serves New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its entire team will stay on as part of PJD.

Advanced Drywall Systems director David Bedo noted the growth opportunities presented by the acquisition, adding "We are most excited about the opportunity to deliver the market-leading service that Advanced Drywall Systems is known for to more of the region's homebuilders."

Australia/US: The value of James Hardie’s Australia-listed shares fell by 15% following the announcement of a deal to buy AZEK. Financial analysts have expressed concern that the company is overpaying for more access to a slowing US housing market, according to Reuters. Analysts from Morgan Stanley said that the deal carried "a heavy premium and elevated multiple.” They added that they expected the market would be wary of synergy savings targets.

James Hardie agreed to buy AZEK for US$8.75bn, using a combination of cash and shares, on 24 March 2025. As part of the deal it will take on AZEK’s net debt of US$386m. AZEK shareholders will receive US$26.5 in cash and 1.034 ordinary shares of James Hardie for each AZEKL share they own. Upon completion of the transaction, James Hardie and AZEK shareholders are expected to own approximately 74% and 26%, respectively, of the combined company. It is hoped that the deal will create a “leading exterior and outdoor living building products growth platform.” The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. It is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and AZEK shareholder approval.

James Hardie manufactures fibre gypsum products in Europe and fibre cement products around the world. It is headquartered in Ireland, its management is based in the US and it is listed in both Australia and the US. AZEK makes exterior residential decking, siding, trim and moulding products. It is based in the US.

US: Cold-formed steel framing products company ClarkDietrich has acquired fellow framing producer Studs Unlimited from building materials distributor Foundation Building Materials. ClarkDietrich says that the Oklahoma City-based business will help to accelerate its growth.

ClarkDietrich president Brian Panuccio said "We are excited to welcome the Studs Unlimited employees to the ClarkDietrich family. This geographic expansion will help us amplify our service levels to our customers located in the Midwestern US. We will be significantly expanding the existing footprint of Studs Unlimited by adding square footage and machinery to the operation."

Mexico: Saint-Gobain has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire construction chemicals producer Ovniver Group for US$815m. The parties expect to conclude the deal in early 2025. Ovniver Group produces its CeMix brand adhesives, renders, surface preparations and waterproofing products across 16 sites in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the US.

Ovniver Group recorded revenues of US$285m in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 20% over the past five years.

Canada: GMS has acquired retailer Yvon Building Supply and its affiliates. Yvon Building Supply operates at seven locations in Ontario, supplying gypsum wallboard and other construction products to the local market.

GMS president and CEO John C Turner said "We are pleased to enhance our service and product offerings in the Greater Toronto market with the successful completion of this transaction. We are excited to welcome the Yvon team to GMS Canada and look forward to expanding our core and complementary products in southern Ontario."

Canada: US-based Arclin has concluded a deal to acquire fellow construction polymers producer RG Dispersants from CPS Performance Materials. RG Dispersants employs 150 people across its operations, with plants in Candiac, Quebec, and Cedartown, US.

Arclin president and CEO Bradley Bolduc said "The addition of RG Dispersantswill add applications such as wallboard, speciality concrete and speciality rubber/tyre production."