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.

Russia/Germany: A prospective buyer has reportedly ‘broken off’ talks over the sale of Germany-based Knauf’s Russian business. The producer says that it will continue its efforts to withdraw from Russia ‘in accordance with the applicable sanctions,’ under ‘very difficult conditions.’

AK&M News has reported that Knauf owns 20 Russian companies in industries that include gypsum. The assets remain exclusively under local management, without any profit currently passing to Knauf.

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: Saint-Gobain North America has launched a new programme of partnerships with high schools in US host communities called Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities. The producer will supply partner schools with a curriculum of classes on manufacturing, with accompanying visits to its plants.

The launch follows earlier pilots at schools in Granville, North Carolina, and Shakopee, Minnesota. It will expand to include 10 additional sites in the 2025 – 2026 school year, followed by further planned expansions throughout the US and Canada.

Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed President and CEO Mark Rayfield said "Our Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities programme is a win-win for students, the manufacturing industry and local economies. In the manufacturing industry anyone can have a long and successful career, and by bringing manufacturing directly to high schools, we aim to show students the rewarding role they can play in building the future of the industry."