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CRH

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Industry Construction Materials
Employees 10,000+
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FY2013 Annual Report · CRH
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Annual Report 2013

P E R F O R M A N C E   &   G R O W T H

a FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 
company, is a diversified  
international building materials 

group headquartered in Ireland. CRH manufactures 
and distributes a diverse range of products 
servicing the breadth of construction needs. From 
the fundamentals of heavy materials and elements 
to construct the frame, through value-added 
exterior products that complete the building 
envelope, to distribution channels which service 
construction fit-out and renewal. CRH products are 
used for both new-build and repair & maintenance 
construction needs in the residential, non-
residential and infrastructure sectors. 

CRH is a leading international player in its 
industry, with operations in 35 countries 
worldwide. It is the largest building materials 
company in North America, a regional leader in 
Europe and has a growing presence in the Asian 
economies of India and China. In 2013, CRH 
subsidiary companies employed approximately 
76,000 people at over 3,400 operating locations, 
and generated sales of €18 billion. 

CRH’s strategic vision is to be a responsible 
international leader in building materials 
delivering superior and sustained shareholder 
returns. Sustainability and corporate social 
responsibility concepts are integral components  
of the Group’s performance and growth strategy, 
and CRH has been ranked among sector leaders  
by leading Socially Responsible Investment 
agencies for its sustainability and corporate  
social responsibility performance.

CRH is a constituent member of the FTSE 100, 
ISEQ 20, Euro Stoxx 50, Euro Stoxx Select 
Dividend 30 equity indices and its shares are  
listed on the London and Dublin stock exchanges, 
and on the New York stock exchange in the form  
of American Depositary Shares.

 
 
 
Contents

 Chairman’s Introduction 

2013 Snapshot

2013 Key Financial Figures

Strategy Review 

Chief Executive’s Introduction

CRH Vision and Strategy 

CRH Business Model

Measuring Performance 

Sustainability and Governance 

Business Performance Review 

Finance Director’s Introduction 

2013 Operational Snapshot 

Operations Performance Reviews 

 Governance 

Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Report 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Directors’ Report

Financial Statements 

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Accounting Policies

Notes on Consolidated Financial Statements

Other Information 

Shareholder Information 

Management 

Principal Subsidiary Undertakings 

Principal Equity Accounted Investments 

Group Financial Summary

Index

Contents

Page  3

Chairman’s Introduction 

5

6

7

8

10

12

16

18

22

24

37

40

59

91

96

98

102

109

150

152

154

2013 Snapshot

2013 Key Financial Figures

Strategy Review

Chief Executive’s Introduction

CRH Vision and Strategy 

CRH Business Model

Measuring Performance 

Sustainability and Governance

Business Performance Review

Finance Director’s Introduction 

2013 Operational Snapshot 

Operations Reviews

Governance

Board of Directors 

Corporate Governance Report 

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Directors’ Report

Financial Statements 

Independent Auditor’s Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Accounting Policies

Notes on Consolidated Financial Statements

Other Information

Shareholder Information 

Management 

Principal Subsidiary Undertakings 

160 

Principal Equity Accounted Investments 

161

162

Group Financial Summary 

Index

CRH 

1

 
 
 
 
 
Ibstock Brick’s Birtley factory in County 
Durham, England created a bespoke blend 
of bricks for the boat house at this 
architecturally sensitive riverside location.  
The factory supplied almost 70,000 bricks, 
designed to match Roman bricks found  
in the area.

2 

CRH

Chairman’s Introduction 

Dear Shareholders,

As you will see from the key financial figures on page 6, 2013 was another challenging year for CRH. 
A delayed recovery in our European markets, together with the portfolio review commenced by the 
Board towards the end of 2013 which has identified a total of 45 business units for divestment, has 
resulted in a significant non-cash impairment charge. The aim of the portfolio review is to re-set CRH 
for growth and, as we look into 2014 and beyond, improving returns is a key strategic priority for the 
Group.

In respect of 2013, the Board is recommending a final dividend of 44c per share. If approved by 
shareholders at the 2014 Annual General Meeting, this will maintain the full-year dividend at 62.5c 
per share. The Board’s decision to maintain the dividend took into account the increased operating 
cash flow before dividends of €736 million, and also the levels of capital expenditure, development 
activity and portfolio rationalisation during 2013. The net after-tax loss of €295 million for 2013 
reflects the total non-cash impairment charges of €755 million, primarily arising from the ongoing 
portfolio review. Excluding impairments and the related tax impact, adjusted earnings per share for 
the year were 59.5c, representing a cover of 0.95 times the proposed dividend for 2013. 

Myles Lee retired as Chief Executive and from the Board on 31 December 2013, after an outstanding 
32-year career with the Group, five years of which were spent as Finance Director prior to his taking 
up the Chief Executive role. I would like to thank Myles sincerely on behalf of the Board for his 
leadership of the Company over the past five years, a tenure which coincided with a period of 
remarkable uncertainty and crisis across the globe. During this very challenging period, Myles led 
the implementation of strategies and initiatives which have reduced CRH’s cost base by almost  
€2.4 billion, and managed the portfolio by investing €2.9 billion in value-adding acquisitions in 
attractive markets, while at the same time generating proceeds of approximately €1.9 billion from 
divestments and asset disposals. Myles leaves the Group in a strong financial condition, with one of 
the strongest balance sheets in the sector and well-positioned to avail of opportunities as CRH now 
looks forward to the next phase of its development.

Details of the process to appoint Myles’ successor, which took place over four months and concluded 
with the appointment of Albert Manifold as Chief Executive Designate in July 2013, are set out in the 
Corporate Governance report on page 53. We are very fortunate to have a replacement of Albert’s 
calibre, experience and skills within the Group. 

After the 2014 Annual General Meeting, Jan Maarten de Jong will retire from the Board. He became a 
Director in 2004 and, between May 2007 and August 2013, was Chairman of CRH’s Audit Committee. 
Jan Maarten has been an exemplary non-executive Director and I thank him for his commitment and 
energy during his time on our Board. 

Since the 2013 Annual General Meeting, we have appointed Don McGovern and Henk Rottinghuis as 
non-executive Directors. I welcome them to the Board and look forward to working with them in the 
years to come. The Corporate Governance report details the appointment process for new Directors 
and also covers our approach to important matters such as diversity on the CRH Board and 
shareholder engagement.

Each Director will retire at the Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2014, with those eligible offering 
themselves for re-election. Their biographies are set out on pages 37 to 39. I have conducted a formal 
evaluation of the performance of individual Directors, which included training needs where 
appropriate. I can confirm that each of the Directors continues to perform effectively and to 
demonstrate strong commitment to the role. I strongly recommend that shareholders vote in favour  
of each of the individuals putting themselves forward for re-election.

I would like to thank management for the significant contributions made by them in 2013, and in 
recent years, in very challenging circumstances. I have no doubt that we have the team, under 
Albert’s leadership, to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that the future 
holds for CRH.

Nicky Hartery Chairman

February 2014

CRH 

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35 countries

3,400 locations

76,000 people

€18 billion revenues 

300 million tonnes of product

4 

CRH

2013 Snapshot

A resilient performance in what was yet another challenging year for the building materials sector.

Sales (€ billion)

EBITDA* (€ billion)

2013 

2012 

2011 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2013 

2012 

2011 

2013 

2012 

2011 

16 

17 

18 

19

1.2 
* Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation

1.4 

1.6

Operating Profit (€ billion)

Return on Net Assets* (%)

2013 

2012 

2011 

0.0 

0.2 

0.4 

0.6 

0.8 

0% 
2% 
* Pre Impairment

4% 

6% 

8%

Operating Cash Flow (€ billion)

EBITDA/Net Interest Cover (times)

2013 

2012 

2011 

18.03

18.08

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

0.8

4.0 

6.0 

8.0

CO2 Emissions (kg / € revenue)

Zero Accident Locations (%)

2013 

2012 

2011 

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7

80% 

85% 

90% 

95%

Dividend per Share (€ cent)

Total Shareholder Return* (€’000)

2013 

2012 

2011 

0 

20 

40 

60 

80

Oldcastle Precast supplied concrete structures ranging  
from 2.5 metres to 16 metres long used in the Colton Crossing 
Rail project, California. The project included a 2.3 kilometre 
overpass that raised the Union Pacific Railroad’s east-west  
tracks 13 metres over the BNSF north-south tracks.  

0 
* Cumulative value of €100 invested in 1970

20 

40 

60

CRH 

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013 Key Financial Figures 

€ million

Sales  18,031

EBITDA  1,475

Operating profit  100

Loss before tax   (215)

cent

Loss per share   (40.6)

Cash earnings per share  162.4

Dividend per share   62.5

6 

CRH

Albert Manifold with Myles Lee

Strategy Review

Chief Executive’s Introduction

For a closer look at the numbers, please refer to our Business Performance 
Review on pages 18 to 35, as introduced by our Finance Director.

Development Activity

During 2013 we remained active on the development front completing 
28 transactions, at a total cost of €0.7 billion, which met our criteria of 
establishing and developing leading positions in attractive markets. We 
strengthened our cement positions in high-growth markets in Ukraine, 
India and China. We added to our aggregates positions in a number of 
key  markets  in  the  United  States,  extended  our  concrete  products 
business  in  the  attractive  western  Canada  market  and  added  to  our 
Distribution network in both Europe and the United States. 

In October, we opened a regional headquarters in Singapore, from which 
we will manage our developing Asian business. From a small start six 
years ago, we are now invested in companies employing 15,000 people 
in Asia.

Portfolio Review

With economic indicators now pointing to an improving outlook for the 
global economy, we are reshaping our portfolio for the future. There has 
been  significant  economic  and  financial  change  since  2007  and  CRH 
responded  proactively  and  decisively  to  that  change.  We  are  now 
focussed  on  positioning  the  Group  for  future  growth  as  we  enter  the 
coming cycle.

In November 2013 we embarked on a comprehensive review to identify 
and  focus  on  the  businesses  in  our  portfolio  which  offer  the  most 
attractive  future  returns  and  growth  in  the  coming  cycle.  We  have 
completed the initial phase of the review and have identified a total of 45 
business  units  which  will  not  meet  our  future  returns  objectives.  An 
orderly  disposal  process  is  underway  to  dispose  of  these  operations, 
which accounted for c.10% of the Group’s net assets at year-end 2013. 
With the next phase of the review underway, we have identified a further 
group of businesses, representing c.20% of our net assets, which require 
more  detailed  assessment;  however,  in  the  light  of  current  conditions 
and  outlook,  we  do  not  anticipate  further  impairment  charges  to  arise 
should a decision be made to exit any of these businesses. 

Over  the  years,  we  have  built  up  a  strong  network  of  core  businesses, 
which  represent  the  majority  of  our  net  assets.  By  prioritising  the 
allocation  and  reallocation  of  capital  across  these  core  businesses,  our 
target is to restore margins and returns to peak levels in the coming cycle. 

To facilitate this process, we are reorganising our European business by 
integrating our products and materials businesses into one organisation. 
This will better enable CRH to leverage the benefits of our operating plant 
network  in  both  western  and  eastern  European  markets,  which  is 
complementary to our Distribution business in core European markets.

Focus for 2014

Dynamic  allocation  and  reallocation  of  resources  to  optimise  our 
portfolio,  together  with  our  traditional  tight  cost-control  and  capital 
discipline  and  our  relentless  focus  on  returns,  will  be  key  to  driving 
growth and to rebuilding returns and margins in the coming years. We 
believe that 2013 represents the trough in our profits, and that 2014 will 
be  a  year  of  profit  growth.  We  are  encouraged  by  second  half  activity 
levels in 2013 and by the fact that, while it is still early in the season, 
trading so far in 2014 has been ahead of last year.

CRH 

7

2013 Performance

During  the  first  six  months  of  2013,  the  severe  and  prolonged  winter 
conditions  which  delayed  the  start  of  the  construction  season  in  our 
major markets, together with weaker trading in Europe, had a negative 
impact on our results. As the year progressed we saw markets beginning 
to stabilise in Europe, while the pick-up in economic activity in the US 
provided positive momentum for our Americas businesses. 

Following a first-half decline of 6%, like-for-like sales were ahead by 2% 
in  the  second  half,  reducing  the  full-year  decline  to  2%.  With  the 
translation  impact  of  the  weaker  US  Dollar  more  than  offset  by 
contributions from acquisitions, sales of €18 billion for the year were in 
line with 2012. EBITDA for the year amounted to €1.48 billion, slightly 
ahead of guidance.

Against this backdrop, we continued to focus on improving our cost base, 
particularly in Europe, scaling our capacity and managing our costs to 
match  shifting  demand  patterns  across  our  businesses.  Incremental 
savings of €195 million were delivered in the year. Our cumulative cost 
savings  since  the  programme  began  in  2007  now  amount  to  almost  
€2.4 billion. 

We continued to generate strong cash flows from our operations, which, 
together with proceeds from divestments and asset disposals, resulted in 
net debt remaining in line with year-end 2012. This was after a spend on 
acquisitions and capital expenditure of approximately €1.2 billion and 
dividend payments of €0.46 billion.

 
CRH Vision and Strategy

CRH is one of the world’s leading building materials companies, with a 
business  that  spans  35  countries  and  which  serves  all  segments  of 
construction industry demand. CRH supplies raw materials and finished 
products for residential, non-residential and infrastructure construction 
applications. It also has distribution businesses that supply products to 
the professional building contractor and to the home-owner.

CRH’s  vision  is  to  be  a  responsible  international  leader  in  building 
materials, delivering superior and sustained shareholder returns. 

The  sections  that  follow  outline  CRH’s  strategy,  how  CRH  puts  that 
strategy into action through its business model, how it measures progress 
and  how  it  ensures  that  CRH  delivers  on  its  strategic  priorities  in  a 
sustainable and ethical way.

Strategy in Action

CRH’s  strategy  is  to  sustain  and  grow  a  geographically  diversified 
business  with  exposure  to  a  broad  range  of  segments  of  construction 
demand,  enabling  CRH  to  achieve  its  vision  of  delivering  industry-
leading returns.

CRH delivers on its strategy by growing and developing its portfolio of 
core  businesses  in  building  materials,  seeking  balanced  exposure  to 
multiple  demand  drivers,  building  leadership  positions  in  regional 
markets,  investing  in  and  continuously  improving  its  operations, 
acquiring and growing well-run value-creating businesses, while seeking 
exposure to new development opportunities and creating platforms for 
future growth. 

CRH actively positions the Group to take advantage of varying economic 
cycles and applies its strategy in both developed economies, where there 
is a requirement for continual renewal of the built environment, and also 
in developing economies where industrialisation and population growth 
drive  construction  and  economic  activity.  In  doing  so,  the  Group  has 
established  businesses  in  some  of  the  biggest  regional  markets  in  the 
world and has achieved the position of market leader in many of these 
markets.  Further  detail  of  CRH’s  business  footprint  is  provided  in  the 
Business Performance Review on pages 18 to 35.

Developed Economies

In  Western  Europe  and  North  America,  CRH  has  built  a  balanced 
portfolio  across  the  spectrum  of  building  materials  which  leaves  the 
business uniquely positioned to provide a broad product offering to the 
construction  industry.  While  CRH’s  heavyside  building  materials 
operations  support  the  Group’s  exposure  to  new-build  and  also 
infrastructure repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) construction, 
its  lightside  product  range  enables  CRH  to  participate  in  the  growing 
residential  and  non-residential  RMI  markets,  typical  of  mature 
economies. 

CRH’s  strategic  focus  in  these  markets  is  to  continue  to  reinvest  in  its 
established  platforms  and  to  develop  these  businesses  further  through 
bolt-on acquisitions which achieve vertical integration, add to reserves, 
and fill out regional and product-level positions. 

Strategy

To sustain and grow a geographically diversified business with 
exposure to a broad range of segments of construction demand

– Building leadership positions in regional markets

– Continuously improving operations

– Investing in efficient capacity

– Acquiring and growing value-creating businesses

– Developing new products and markets

– Creating platforms for future growth

Vision

To be a responsible 
international leader in
building materials 
delivering superior 
and sustained 
shareholder returns

8 

CRH

 
Developing Economies

In developing economies, CRH’s strategy is to target premium assets as 
an initial footprint. These entry platforms tend to be in cement and are 
often in partnership with strong, locally established businesses. Desirable 
entry  points  are  those  with  well-located  quality  operations  and  good 
regional market positions. In addition, CRH targets businesses that have 
the  potential  to  develop  further  downstream  into  integrated  building 
materials businesses, as construction markets become more sophisticated 
over time. 

In the mid-1990s, CRH applied this approach to its entry into the Polish 
market and today the Group is the leading integrated building materials 
company in Poland. CRH is now focussed on replicating this approach 
with its platforms in Ukraine, India and China. 

Strategic Priorities

In looking to position the Group optimally for the future, CRH is currently 
conducting a detailed portfolio review, to identify those businesses and 
markets which offer the best potential for profit growth and returns in the 
cycle ahead.

A  key  strategic  priority  is  to  restore  returns  to  levels  seen  during  the 
course of the previous peak. Achievement of this will require the active 
management  of  CRH’s  portfolio  through  the  dynamic  allocation  and 

reallocation of capital, the ongoing pursuit of excellence in operational 
performance, process and product innovation to promote differentiation 
and better serve customers’ needs, and successful integration of targeted 
acquisitions.

The Group has a track record of maintaining strong financial liquidity 
and  capital  resources.  A  key  component  of  this  success  is  CRH’s 
unwavering focus on cash generation and the retention of a strong capital 
base,  both  of  which  are  essential  to  funding  organic  and  acquisitive 
growth, and to CRH’s ability to fund dividend payments to shareholders.

CRH also recognises that excellence in sustainability, compliance, risk 
management and governance is key to achieving superior performance. 
The Group has policies and guidelines in place to support management 
in these important areas, which together enhance CRH’s reputation and 
underpin CRH’s ability to do business.

We continue to recruit and develop the best talent, as it is with exceptional 
management  and  operational  teams  that  CRH  implements  its  strategy, 
through its business model, in pursuit of superior and sustained returns 
and growth.

Strategic Priorities

In the context of the risks and opportunities that face the Group,  
our priorities are:

To deliver superior shareholder returns through the cycle

To drive returns through excellence in operational performance,  
innovation and acquisition integration

To generate strong cash flows to fund organic and acquisitive growth

To maintain financial liquidity and capital resources

To promote excellence in compliance, risk management  
and governance

To achieve the highest standards of environmental management  
and proactively address the challenges of climate change

To develop our people and ensure the safety of everyone in the 
workplace

Strategic
Focus

Returns
and 
Growth

CRH 

9

 
CRH Business Model

CRH subsidiary companies employ approximately 76,000 people at over 
3,400 locations around the world. The Group’s major businesses are in 
the developed markets of Europe and North America, and it has growing 
positions in certain developing economies in Asia. 

CRH’s primary Materials businesses are vertically-integrated aggregates, 
cement, asphalt and readymixed concrete operations, which are backed 
by  strategically-located,  long-term  reserves  and  used  extensively  in 
infrastructure applications. 

A Balanced Portfolio

The portfolio is well balanced across products, geographies and sector 
end-uses and this concept lies at the core of CRH strategy.

CRH’s  geographic  balance  means  that  it  is  able  to  take  advantage  of 
differing  regional  demand  cycles.  In  2013,  Western  Europe  and  North 
America  contributed  about  85%  of  earnings  from  Group  operations 
(subsidiaries  plus  share  of  equity  accounted  investments),  while 
operations in the developing economies in Central and Eastern Europe, 
South America and Asia contributed about 15%.

Sectoral  and  end-use  balance  reduces  the  effects  of  varying  demand 
patterns across building and construction activity.  Exposure in 2013 was 
broadly  split  35%  residential,  30%  non-residential  and  35% 
infrastructure, while the balance of new-build to RMI was 50:50.

Our Product Range

CRH’s business comprises Materials, Products and Distribution activities, 
which enable the Group to supply construction materials from initial site 
work,  through  the  building  phase,  to  fit-out  and  renewal  of  the  built 
environment  over  time.  In  2013,  Materials  activities  generated  56%  of 
Group  EBITDA,  while  the  Products  segment  delivered  25%  and 
Distribution 19%.

The  Group’s  Products  businesses  make  a  range  of  materials  for  use 
primarily in residential and non-residential construction. They include a 
broad range of architectural and structural products, and also accessories 
to assist in the construction process.

CRH  distributes  building  materials  to  general  building  contractors, 
specialist Sanitary, Heating and Plumbing (SHAP) contractors and Do-It-
Yourself (DIY) customers in Europe, and to professional roofing/siding 
and interior products contractors in the United States.  These businesses 
are well-positioned to service growing RMI demand in mature markets.

Further  information  on  the  scale,  footprint  and  strategy  for  these 
businesses can be found in the Business Performance Review on pages 
18 to 35.

How our Business Operates

CRH  continuously  improves  its  operations,  develops  its  people  and 
builds regional market leadership positions across an actively managed 
portfolio.    CRH  leverages  the  benefits  of  local  market  knowledge  and 
experience with global scale and resources. 

CRH expects strong management commitment to both the local operating 
company and to the CRH Group. Managers are supported from a Group 
centre  which  provides  guidance,  support  and  functional  expertise  
in  the  areas  of  performance  measurement,  financial  reporting,  cash 

Materials

Vertically-integrated primary materials businesses 
with strategically-located long-term reserves

Products

Range of architectural and structural products 
for use primarily in residential and non-residential 
applications

Distribution

Supply of building materials to general, specialist 
and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) customers in Europe and 
the US

Business Model

A portfolio that is balanced by 
geography, product and end-use 
across residential, non-residential 
and infrastructure sectors, with  
a good equilibrium between  
new-build and RMI segments

10  CRH

management,  strategic  planning,  business  development, 
talent 
management,  governance,  risk  management  and  sustainability.  This 
approach has attracted and retained exceptional management in the past 
and the Group has been strengthened by personnel with a range of skills 
including  operational  management,  highly  qualified  business 
professionals and owner-entrepreneurs.

How we Manage our Finances

One  of  CRH’s  guiding  principles  is  a  strong  focus  on  cash  generation, 
which  gives  it  significant  financial  firepower  for  value-creating 
acquisitions  and  dividend  payout.  Strict  capital  discipline  is  a  key 
characteristic  of  the  Group,  alongside  good  operational  control  and 
strong  financial  liquidity.  The  Group  is  committed  to  maintaining  an 
investment grade credit rating. During 2013 CRH raised €1.5 billion in 
the eurobond market at record low coupons.

How we Generate Value

CRH’s approach to business has delivered industry-leading returns in the 
past and it is the Group’s intention to restore those returns and margins 
through the coming cycle. 

At the core of CRH’s success is the pursuit of continuous improvement. 
The  Group  constantly  challenges  its  businesses  to  do  better  and 
management recognises that continuous improvement requires a focus 
on  measured  performance,  firm  financial  control,  product  and  process 
innovation, and a rigorous approach to capital allocation. 

CRH continues to invest and reinvest in its assets to improve the capacity, 
quality  and  efficiency  of  its  operations.  In  addition,  in  a  fragmented 

industry, CRH has the opportunity to grow by acquiring small to mid-
sized companies which complement the existing network. From time to 
time, it completes larger deals where it sees compelling value. 

This  strategic  approach  and  sustainable  business  model  for  value 
creation has enabled CRH to deliver superior performance and growth 
through  previous  cycles.  Following  the  current  portfolio  review,  it  is 
CRH’s intention to accelerate the dynamic allocation and reallocation of 
resources  within  the  Group,  so  that  the  businesses  with  the  most 
potential in the next cycle will receive the most investment in the future.

Measuring Performance

CRH  believes  that  measurement  fosters  positive  behaviour  and 
performance. In keeping with our focus on measured performance across 
all  our  businesses,  CRH  continues  to  refine  and  develop  appropriate 
financial  and  non-financial  measures  to  communicate  leading-practice 
benchmarks across the organisation. 

In the following tables on pages 12 to 15, as part of CRH’s commitment to 
enhanced narrative reporting, the Board has set out the Key Performance 
Indicators  (KPIs)  that  are  used  to  measure  the  Group’s  performance 
against its strategy. The KPIs are closely aligned to the strategic priorities 
set out on page 9. They are quantifiable measurements, which the Group 
has been working to for many years, although this is the first time they 
have  been  included  in  this  form  in  the  Annual  Report.  It  is  CRH’s 
intention  to  reproduce  this  table  in  subsequent  reports,  to  enable 
investors to build up a longer-term view of how Group strategy is being 
successfully implemented.

Lean Centre

Providing guidance, support, functional expertise and 
control in the areas of performance measurement, 
financial reporting, cash management, strategic planning, 
business development, talent management, governance 
and compliance, risk management, health & safety and 
environment

Local Know-How

Experienced operational management with extensive local 
market knowledge responsible for delivering returns from 
our operations

Global Scale

The shared resources and strengths of an international 
Group of over €13 billion market capitalisation

Returns

A focus on measured performance and 
operational excellence

A rigorous approach to capital allocation

Growth

Value-creating acquisitions sourced, 
evaluated and integrated by experienced 
operational management

Investments to improve capacity, quality 
and efficiency of our operations

CRH  11

 
Measuring Performance

Financial KPIs

Strategic Priority 

KPI 

Definition

Why Important 

To deliver superior  
shareholder returns  
through the cycle

To drive returns  
through excellence  
in operational  
performance

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)

TSR represents the total 

TSR is a full measure of  

accumulated value delivered 

monetary value created and 

to shareholders (via gross 

delivered to the owners of  

dividends reinvested and share 

the Group.

appreciation).

It can be expressed as the total 

CEO and share plans include 

rolled-up value of €100 originally 

challenging TSR goals. 

Performance metrics for the 

invested in 1970 or as the annual 

% change in this value.

Return on Net Assets (RONA)

RONA is defined as subsidiary 

RONA is a key internal pre-

operating profit expressed as a 

tax measure of operating 

percentage of subsidiary average 

performance used throughout  

net assets. 

the Group.  

Operating profit is adjusted to 

It measures management’s 

exclude non-cash impairments.  

success in (i) generating  

Net assets exclude cash & 

profit from its asset base  

cash equivalents, tax assets 

and (ii) in optimising the assets 

and liabilities, and other non-

under its control.

operating balance sheet items.

To generate strong 
cash flows to fund 
organic and 
acquisitive growth

Operating Cash Flow (OCF)

OCF measures the amount of 

OCF is the primary funding 

cash generated from normal 

source for dividend payments 

business activities.

and acquisition spend.

It is defined as cash profits 

less tax payments and capital 

expenditure and is adjusted for 

working capital movements.

To maintain financial  
liquidity and capital  
resources

EBITDA/Net Interest Cover

EBITDA/Net Interest Cover 

Strong EBITDA/Net Interest 

is calculated by dividing 

Cover is evidence of ability 

EBITDA (as defined in Note 2 

to service interest payments 

on page 111) by net interest 

and debt maturities and thus 

costs (finance costs less 

underpins the maintenance of 

finance income as shown 

investment grade credit ratings 

in  the Consolidated Income 

and the Group’s ability to 

Statement) for the 12 month 

access finance.

period to the reporting date. 

12  CRH

2013 Performance

2014 Focus 

Links to other Disclosures

2013: 24.1%

2012: 3.7%

Delivering superior returns on 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

invested capital and on  

pages 59 to 90

maintaining strong cash flows 

In 2013 TSR was made up of 

to support the continued 

a 4% dividend yield and 20% 

development of the Group  

share price appreciation.

and dividend payment.

CRH has delivered a compound 

annual TSR of 15.7% since the 

formation of the Group in 1970.

2013: 5.9%

2012: 6.4%

Delivering improved RONA  

Business Performance Review

through effective margin 

pages 18 to 35

management, continued 

The decrease in RONA in 2013 

enhancement of operating 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

is a reflection of the continued 

efficiencies and tight working 

pages 59 to 90

tough trading conditions in some 

capital management.

geographic regions and also the 

severe weather in the first half of 

the year which had a significant 

impact on the start of the 

operating season.   

2013: €736 million

2012: €640 million

Continuing to generate strong 

Summarised Cash Flow

operating cash flows in 2014.

page 20

Through prudent working capital 

management and tight capital 

expenditure control, CRH 

increased OCF to €736 million in 

2013. 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

pages 59 to 90

2013: 5.9x 

2012: 6.1x 

Maintaining financial discipline 

Finance Director’s Introduction

to ensure that EBITDA/Net 

pages 18 to 20

Interest Cover remains strong 

Cover was lower in 2013 due 

and should usually be no lower 

Note 24 Interest-bearing Loans 

to the lower level of EBITDA 

than 6x. 

reflecting the challenging trading 

environment.

and Borrowings

page 131

During 2013 CRH’s credit ratings 

remained BBB+/Baa2 from  

S&P/Moody’s rating agencies.

CRH  13

 
 
Measuring Performance

Non-Financial KPIs

Strategic Priority 

KPI 

Definition

Why Important 

To ensure the safety 
of everyone in the 
workplace

% Zero Accident Locations

The number of accident-free 

Safety is a priority for CRH and 

locations expressed as a 

we constantly strive to improve 

percentage of total operating 

our performance through a 

locations.

continuous focus on safety 

management.

The continuing development of a 

strong safety culture throughout 

the Group is a key element of our 

business strategy.

To achieve the 
highest standards 
of environmental 
management and 
proactively address 
the challenges of 
climate change

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 

Emissions

CO2 is the only GHG emission 
relevant for CRH. 

Climate change creates both 

challenges and opportunities for 

business.  

A Group-level measure is 

provided and defined as CO2 
emissions (kg) expressed  

In all activities, energy efficiency 

and carbon reduction are twin 

per unit of Sales Revenue (€).

imperatives. Lower-carbon 

products and those that 

As our cement activities account 

can assist in climate change 

for the greater proportion of 

mitigation and adaptation are 

Group emissions, a cement-plant 

also a focus for our businesses.

(specific) measure is also  

provided. This is defined as CO2 
emissions (tonnes) per tonne of 

cementitious product.

To develop our people 
and create an 
inclusive workplace

Gender Diversity

Number of female employees 

All recruitment, selection 

expressed as a percentage of 

and promotion decisions are 

total employees.

made on individual merit and 

in line with the principles of 

equal opportunity and non-

discrimination.

14  CRH

2013 Performance

2014 Focus 

Links to other Disclosures

2013: 92%

2012: 89%

We are committed to maintaining 

CRH Sustainability Report  

and enhancing a strong culture 

published mid-summer 2014

Encouragingly we achieved 92% 

ultimate aim of achieving zero 

zero-accident locations in 2013.   

accident status at every location.

of safety across CRH with the 

In addition to our ongoing Fatality 

Elimination Plan, key focus 

areas include safety in emerging 

regions, contractor safety and 

transport safety.

CO2 Emissions  
(million tonnes)

Having achieved our initial CO2 
reduction commitment 3 years 

CRH Sustainability Report  

published mid-summer 2014

Scope 1  Scope 2

2013 

2012 

9.8 

9.2 

1.3

1.2

Group Measure

(kg CO2 /unit revenue)
2013: 0.62

2012: 0.58

ahead of target in 2012, we have 

now pledged to a 25% reduction 

Note 1: 

in specific net CO2 cement plant 
emissions by 2020, compared to 

1990 levels.  

In addition, throughout the 

Group, programmes to optimise 

energy and resource efficiency, 

Cement Plant Measure

reduce emissions and promote 

(tonnes CO2 /tonne cementitious 
product)

environmentally-driven product 

and process innovation are 

2013: 0.62

2012: 0.62

ongoing. 

While total CO2 emissions in 
2013 increased due to increased 

activity in some areas, ongoing 

strategic programmes continue 

to focus on reducing specific net 

CO2 emissions. 

Some CO2 emissions are subject  
to final verification under  

the EU Emissions Trading Scheme 

(EU ETS). Verified figures will be 

published in the Sustainability  

Report. 

Note 2: 

Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions 

from sources that are controlled or 

owned by a company, eg emissions 

from decarbonation of raw materials 

and combustion in kilns, furnaces, 

boilers, vehicles etc.

Scope 2: GHG emissions from 

generation of purchased electricity 

consumed by a company.

(www.ghgprotocol.org/standards)

2013: 18%

2012: 18%

The building materials industry 

Corporate Governance Report

traditionally attracts a higher 

pages 40 to 58

than average proportion of male 

In 2013, 11% of operational 

employees and CRH’s data 

Senior Management Listing 

staff and 41% of clerical and 

reflects this trend.

pages 152 and 153

administrative staff were female. 

At Board level, 15% of our 

CRH employees to develop their 

published mid-summer 2014

We continue to encourage all 

CRH Sustainability Report  

Directors are female and 4%  

careers and would welcome a 

of our senior managers are 

greater representation of female 

female.

talent at senior management level.

CRH  15

 
 
 
Sustainability and Governance

CRH  has  placed  sustainability  at  the  heart  of  its  strategy  and  business 
model. In every area of business, CRH seeks to create long-term value for 
all  stakeholders  including  investors  (debt  and  equity),  customers, 
partners, employees, suppliers, neighbours and local communities. 

The Group is committed to safeguarding its employees, enhancing the 
environment,  ensuring  strong  governance  and  risk  management,  and 
supporting  and  benefitting  the  communities  in  which  it  operates.  In 
doing so, CRH can continue to extend its positive influence across the 
value chain, while building a strong and resilient business that is capable 
of delivering shareholder returns for the future. 

Working Safely

With approximately 76,000 employees worldwide, keeping people safe 
is  a  priority.  Close  to  €140  million  has  been  invested  in  initiatives 
aimed at enhancing health and safety performance in the last five years. 
These  efforts  have  resulted  in  an  average  15%  per  annum  reduction  
in  the  Group’s  accident  frequency  rate  over  the  decade,  and 
encouragingly 92% of our active locations were accident free in 2013. 

CRH: 
Sustainable, Responsible, Ethical

Committed to doing business in  
a sustainable and responsible 
manner, placing strong governance, 
risk management and ethics at the 
forefront of all our business activities

However, despite the focus on safety, CRH deeply regrets the loss of nine 
lives  (two  employees  and  seven  contractors)  at  its  operations  during 
2013. With the assistance of independent specialists, the circumstances 
surrounding each of these individual tragedies have been examined in 
detail,  the  lessons  learned  communicated  and  changes  implemented 
immediately. The elimination of fatalities is a fundamental objective of 
the Group.

Enhancing the Environment

As a global leader in building materials, CRH can play an important role 
in improving the sustainability of the built environment. In addition to 
our  progress  on  CO2  reduction  detailed  below,  CRH  works  with 
customers  and  the  wider  building  materials  industry  to  develop 
sustainable and innovative products and solutions. 

Demand  for  lower  carbon  products  such  as  warm-mix  asphalt  is 
increasing  and  this  product  now  accounts  for  over  30%  of  CRH’s  US 

16  CRH

asphalt  sales.  In  Europe,  an  increasing  proportion  of  CRH’s  cement 
production is now of lower-carbon cements and 35% of CRH’s cement 
plant  fuel  requirements  are  met  by  alternative  fuels.  We  recycled  
17  million  tonnes  of  externally-sourced  alternative  materials  into  new 
products,  including  recycled  asphalt  pavement  and  shingles  which 
provides a fifth of asphalt requirements in our US operations. 

Throughout  the  Group,  extensive  programmes  are  in  place  to  improve 
energy and resource efficiency, achieve targeted air emission reductions, 
enhance biodiversity, and restore worked-out quarries.  

Working with People and Communities

CRH  operates  in  many  communities  and  continued  business  success 
depends on the relationships it forms with all stakeholders. CRH actively 
supports social and community activities local to its operations and in 
2013 held close to 700 stakeholder engagement days.

Our businesses know that developing our people is critical to sustaining 
competitive advantage and to achieving corporate growth over the long 
term. We believe in recruiting the best people and giving them a variety 
of  development  opportunities  through  which  they  can  advance  their 
careers, develop specialised expertise and grow professionally.

CRH is determined to create an inclusive workplace, with all recruitment, 
selection and promotion decisions made on individual merit. Achieving 
gender  diversity  is  difficult  in  an  industry  which  traditionally  attracts 
more male employees and CRH’s current make-up reflects this. In 2013, 
18% of employees were female. Of those, 11% of operational staff and 
41%  of  clerical  and  administrative  staff  were  female.  At  Board  level, 
CRH has two female directors, including the Finance Director.

Protecting Human Rights

CRH  is  fully  committed  to  human  and  labour  rights  and  supports  the 
principles  set  out  in  the  articles  of  the  United  Nations’  Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation’s 
Core Labour Principles. Group companies are required to comply with 
the  Group’s  position  on  human  rights  when  dealing  with  employees, 
contractors, customers and suppliers, as set out in the Code of Business 
Conduct and supporting policies.

In  addition,  CRH  has  launched  an  Ethical  Procurement  Code  and  a 
Supplier  Code  of  Conduct,  both  of  which  outline  processes  and 
procedures to ensure compliance. A recent example of these procedures 
in  practice  was  the  temporary  suspension  of  a  supplier  for  failure  to 
comply fully with our requirements; this necessitated alternative supply 
arrangements at a significant cost to CRH, until the issue was resolved 
and the supplier re-engaged.

Monitoring Performance

CRH  is  committed  to  reporting  on  the  breadth  of  its  sustainability 
performance  in  a  comprehensive  and  transparent  manner  and  to 
publishing performance indicators on key identified sustainability areas. 
The Group’s annual Sustainability Report is published mid-year following 
external independent verification and can be read at www.crh.com. 

Managing Risk

CRH has a formal Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, which 
takes account of the perspectives of CRH’s diverse stakeholder interests, 
and is used to assess the rewards and mitigate the risks associated with 
day-to-day activities and strategic actions.

Through this framework, CRH seeks to minimise adverse outcomes by 
exercising control across all aspects of the Group’s operations and by 
evaluating  carefully  the  risks  of  strategic  decision-making  prior  to 
implementation.  The  tone  is  set  from  the  top  and  is  underpinned  by 
CRH’s  commitment  to  ethical  principles,  independent  good  faith 
reporting channels, a tolerance of challenge to the status quo and the 
rewarding  of  appropriate  risk-taking.  In  line  with  leading  practice,  
a “three lines of defence” model, incorporating (i) local management,  
(ii)  divisional  and  head  office  oversight,  and  (iii)  our  internal  audit 
function,  has  been  in  place  for  many  years  and  is  subject  to  ongoing 
refinement and development.

The combination of a high level of risk awareness and risk maturity and 
a  well-developed  and  effective  assurance  framework,  underline  the 
integrity of CRH’s risk management systems as a whole and hence the 
Group’s capacity to assume risk.

The  principal  risks  and  uncertainties  faced  by  the  Group  are  summ-
arised on pages 92 and 93 of the Directors’ Report and are reported to the 
Audit Committee on a six-monthly basis.

Ensuring Excellence in Governance

Our governance procedures are rooted in a Group-wide commitment to 
core values which include integrity, honesty and respect for the law, and 
we expect unwavering compliance with the highest standards of business 
ethics.  These  principles  underpin  our  strategy  and  reputation,  as  we 
develop  and  grow  a  diverse  and  global  footprint  in  an  increasingly 
demanding regulatory environment. 

Our Compliance & Ethics team works closely with our business managers 
to  implement  all  aspects  of  our  compliance  programme,  which  is 
designed  to  ensure  that  employees  at  all  levels  in  the  organisation 
understand that at CRH “there is never a good business reason to do the 
wrong thing”. In practice, this is achieved via a comprehensive Code of 
Business  Conduct,  with  supporting  policies,  guidelines  and  training, 
effective  monitoring  and  review,  and  an  open  and  transparent  culture 
where employees are encouraged and empowered to “speak up”.

In the past two years, over 30,000 employees have participated in Code 
of Business Conduct training and a further 10,000 have also undertaken 
advanced  instruction  on  competition  law,  anti-bribery  awareness  and 
steps to counter the potential for corruption and fraud. 

Further information is provided in the Corporate Governance section of 
this report on pages 40 to 58. 

Top: Oldcastle Materials’ Eugene Sand & Gravel company received a 
2013 Oregon Excellence in Concrete Award, for concrete materials 
supplied to the Delta Ponds pedestrian bridge; a single-tower, cable-
stayed bridge, with an innovative, V-shaped support tower design.

Centre: Zoontjens supplied over 3,000m2 of customised light-weight 
tiles from its Dreen® Combiplus range, for a unique architect designed 
rooftop square at the Erasmus University in the Netherlands.

Bottom: Allied Building Products, with over 190 outlets in the United 
States, provided materials for the renovation of the Lake Worth Casino, 
Florida.  Pictured here are team members unloading materials, 
focussed always on safety when handling job-site deliveries.

CRH  17

 
€ million

EBITDA   1,475 

Capital Expenditure   497

Working Capital Inflow   118

Operating Cash Flow   736

Non-cash Impairment   755

Net Debt (€ billion)  2.97

Net Debt/EBITDA (times)  2.0

EBITDA/Net Interest (times)  5.9

Maeve Carton 
Finance Director

18  CRH

Business Performance Review

Finance Director’s Introduction

Trading conditions in 2013 proved 
challenging, especially in the first half of the 
year, and the Group continued to focus on cash 
generation finishing the year in a strong and 
flexible financial position. With increased cash 
inflows from operations, and proceeds of 
almost €0.3 billion from disposals, net debt at 
year-end 2013 remained broadly in line with 
2012 despite a total spend of €1.2 billion on 
acquisitions, investments and capital 
expenditure, and dividend payments which at 
€0.46 billion were similar to last year.

While reported sales for 2013 were similar to 
2012, organic sales from underlying operations 
fell by 2%, reflecting difficult market 
conditions in Europe and poor weather across 
the Group in the first half. 

In Europe the decline in like-for-like sales 
moderated to less than 1% in the second half, 
a significant improvement on the weather-
impacted decline of 10% in the first half. This 
results in a full-year reduction of 5% in 
underlying European sales, which was partly 
offset by contributions from acquisitions to 
give a 3% overall decline. Lower sales 
impacted EBITDA margin, which despite 
intense management focus and internal 
actions, fell in all European segments in 
response to competitive market pressures. 

Against an improving backdrop as the year 
progressed, like-for-like sales in the Americas 

were up 5% in the second half, compared with 
a first half which saw organic volumes down 
by 1%. In our Materials business,  which was 
impacted by unfavourable weather patterns in 
the early part of the year, like-for-like sales 
were 3% lower than last year; however, with 
good contributions from acquisitions overall 
US Dollar sales revenue was in line with last 
year. Our Products and Distribution businesses 
continued to benefit from improving demand, 
particularly from new residential construction, 
and like-for-like sales were 8% ahead of 2012. 
With higher sales and good cost control, 
EBITDA margins improved in all three 
Americas segments.

Operating profit fell significantly from 2012, 
due principally to the non-cash impairment 
charge of €650 million taken largely as a result 
of the comprehensive portfolio review referred 
to in the Chief Executive’s introduction on 
page 7 (see also note 3 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements). The initial phase of this 
review has identified business units that will 
not meet our returns criteria, and an orderly 
disposal process is underway; the next phase 
will focus on allocating resources to those 
businesses that are central to restoring  CRH 
returns to previous peak levels. Almost 
two-thirds of this impairment charge relates to 
our Products businesses, with the Europe 
segment accounting for the majority of the 
write-down. The portfolio review also 

identified further impairments of €105 million 
in respect of equity accounted investments. 
While the portfolio review is ongoing, in the 
light of current conditions and outlook, we do 
not anticipate any further impairment to arise 
as we complete the exercise during 2014.

During 2013 the euro strengthened by more 
than 3% against the US Dollar, resulting in an 
adverse translation impact on the Group’s 
results; this is the principal factor behind the 
exchange effects shown in the table below.

We continued to advance the significant 
cost-reduction initiatives which have been 
progressively implemented since 2007 and 
which by year-end had generated cumulative 
annualised savings of almost €2.4 billion.  
Total restructuring costs associated with these 
initiatives (which generated savings of  
€195 million in 2013) amounted to €71 million 
in 2013 (2012: €60 million) and were once 
again heavily focussed in our European 
Divisions.

Throughout 2013 the Group continued to keep 
a very sharp focus on cash management, 
targeting in particular working capital and 
capital expenditure. Year-end working capital 
of €2.0 billion represented just 11.2% of sales, 
an improvement compared with year-end 2012 
(11.5%). This performance delivered net inflows 
for the year of €118 million (2012: €5 million). 
CRH believes that its current working capital 

Key Components of 2013 Performance

€ million

Revenue

EBITDA

Operating 
profit

Profit on 
disposals

Finance 
 costs (net)

Equity  
accounted 
investments*

Pre-tax  
profit/(loss)

2012 as restated

Exchange effects

2012 at 2013 exchange rates

Incremental impact in 2013 of:

-  2013 and 2012 acquisitions

-  2013 and 2012 divestments

-  Restructuring costs

-  Pension/CO2 gains

-  Impairment charges 

Ongoing operations

2013

18,084

(404)

17,680

672

(42)

-

-

-

(279)

18,031

1,563

(36)

1,527

73

-

(11)

(29)

-

(85)

1,475

805

(19)

786

43

2

(11)

(29)

(622)

(69)

100

230

(1)

229

-

(191)

-

-

-

(12)

26

(305)

5

(300)

(3)

(2)

-

-

-

8

(297)

(84)

(2)

(86)

3

4

-

-

41

(6)

(44)

*  CRH’s share of after-tax results of joint ventures and associated undertakings

646

(17)

629

43

(187)

(11)

(29)

(581)

(79)

(215)

CRH  19

 
Dividend payments of €455 million (before 
scrip) and proceeds of €101 million from share 
issues (including scrip and net of own shares 
purchased) were very similar to last year.  

significantly higher than the minimum 
requirements in the Group covenant 
agreements – further details are set out in note 
24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

is sufficient for the Group’s present require-
ments. Strong control of spending on property, 
plant and equipment resulted in lower cash 
outflows of €497 million (2012: €544 million), 
with spend in 2013 representing 74% of 
depreciation (2012: 79%).  As a result 
operating cash flow increased to €736 million 
(2012: €640 million).  

Other major movements in net debt during  
the year comprised acquisition spend of  
€720 million on 28 transactions, including 
€144 million in respect of the asset exchange 
in Spain which is also included in the total 
proceeds from disposals and investments of 
€283 million. 

The weaker US Dollar (1.3791 versus the euro 
compared with 1.3194 at year-end 2012) was 
the main factor in the positive translation  
and mark-to-market impact of €87 million  
on net debt. At year-end 2013, net debt of  
€2.97 billion was just €64 million higher  
than year-end 2012. 

The Group is in a strong financial position.  
It is well funded and basic interest cover 
(EBITDA/Net Interest) of 5.9 times is 

Summarised Cash Flow

Inflows

(Loss)/profit before tax

Depreciation/amortisation (including impairment of subsidiaries)

Working capital inflow (i)

Outflows

Tax payments

Capital expenditure 

Other (ii)

Operating cash flow

Pension payments

Acquisitions and investments (iii)

Proceeds from disposals (iv)

Share issues (v)

Dividends (before scrip dividends)

Translation and mark-to-market adjustment

2013
€m

(215)

1,375

118

1,278

(110)

(497)

65

(542)

736

(96)

(720)

283

101

(455)

87

2012
€m

646

758

5

1,409

(124)

(544)

(101)

(769)

640

(152)

(548)

784

104

(450)

48

(Increase)/decrease in net debt

(64)

426

(i)  Working capital inflow includes the difference between net finance costs (included in profit before tax) 

and interest paid and received.

(ii)  Primarily non-cash items included in profit before tax, comprising primarily profits on disposals/

divestments of €26 million (2012: €230 million), share-based payments expense of €15 million (2012: 
€14 million) and share of losses of equity accounted investments of €44 million (2012: €84 million).

(iii)  Acquisitions and investments spend comprises consideration for acquisition of subsidiaries (including 

debt acquired and asset exchanges), deferred and contingent consideration paid, other investments 
and advances and acquisition of non-controlling interests.

(iv)  Proceeds from disposals includes asset exchanges (see note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

(v)  Proceeds from share issues includes scrip dividends of €88 million (2012: €88 million) and are net of 

own shares purchased of €6 million (2012: nil).

20  CRH

We successfully completed two eurobond 
issues during 2013: in April €750 million of 
10-year bonds was issued with a coupon of 
3.125% and in October, a further €750 million 
of 7-year bonds was issued with a coupon of 
2.75%. These were the lowest-ever coupons 
obtained by the Group and reflect CRH’s 
commitment to managing debt and 
maintaining an investment grade credit rating. 

The Group also has considerable financial 
flexibility; the average maturity of the Group’s 
gross debt of €5.5 billion is 4.8 years and cash 
resources at year end amounted to more than 
€2.5 billion. Together with the availability of 
committed and undrawn facilities (amounting 
to a further €1.95 billion), the Group believes 
that it has sufficient resources to meet its debt 
obligations and capital and other expenditure 
requirements in 2014. 

CRH’s share price increased by 20% in 2013 to 
€18.30 at year end; combined with the 
maintained dividend of 62.5c, shareholder 
returns were 24% in 2013 and resulted in net 
debt as a % of market capitalisation decreasing 
to 22% (2012: 26%).  

Business Performance Review

The sections that follow outline the scale of 
CRH’s business in 2013, and provide a more 
detailed review of performance in each of 
CRH’s six reporting segments.

Top right: Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited was 
acquired in 2013 by My Home Industries (MHIL), 
CRH’s JV partner in India. With an annual 
cement capacity of 3.2 million tonnes, Sree 
Jayajothi makes MHIL market leader in Andhra 
Pradesh, South India.

Centre right: Expocrete, acquired in 2013, is  
a leader in manufacturing and distributing 
specialised, high-quality concrete hardscape  
and masonry products in western Canada.  
Expocrete manufactured the c400m2 of Allan 
Block Classic retaining wall used to create 
terraces at this residence on Skaha Lake in 
Penticton, BC, Canada.

Bottom right: BauKing, CRH’s leading  
distribution brand in Germany, reopened this  
DIY store in Menden, after a major renovation  
in October 2013.  The store reopened as a 
multi-channel location and BauKing customers 
can now also order products online.

CRH  21

 
CRH Operational Snapshot (sector exposure and end-use based on 2013 EBITDA) 

Europe Materials

Europe Products

Europe Distribution

€ million

% of Group

€ million

% of Group

€ million

% of Group

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Geography

2,266

278

2,529

13%

19%

20%

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Products

2,376

119

1,236

13%

8%

10%

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Activities

3,936

186

1,675

22%

12%

13%

Poland, 
Ukraine
35%

Other
10%

Finland,
Switzerland
55%

Lightside  
Building  
Products 
45%

Concrete
50%

Clay   5%

Builders 
Merchants
45%

DIY 
30%

SHAP
25%

Sector Exposure

Sector Exposure

Sector Exposure

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

30%

30%

40%

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

50%

30%

20%

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

End-use

End-use

End-use

New

RMI

80%

20%

New

RMI

65%

35%

New

RMI

80%

20%

0%

30%

70%

Annualised Production Volumes
Cement  –  8.6m tonnes  (18.9m tonnes)**
Aggregates  –  45.1m tonnes  (46.3m tonnes)**
Asphalt  –  2.2m tonnes 
Readymixed concrete  –  6.9m m3  (8.5m m3)**
Lime  –  1.0m tonnes
Concrete Products  –  3.7m tonnes

Annualised Production Volumes

Architectural concrete  –  4.8m tonnes
Precast concrete  –  5.0m tonnes
Clay  –  2.0m tonnes
Fencing & security  –  3.0m lineal metres

Outlets
Builders Merchants  –  349  (417)**
DIY  –  196  (234)**
SHAP  –  126

*   Net assets at 31 December 2013 comprise segment assets less segment liabilities as disclosed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.   
** Including equity accounted investments.

22  CRH

Americas Materials

Americas Products

Americas Distribution

€ million

% of Group

€ million

% of Group

€ million

% of Group

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Geography

4,721

557

4,738

26%

38%

38%

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Products

3,068

246

1,704

17%

17%

14%

Sales

EBITDA
Net Assets*

Activities

1,664

89

598

9%

6%

5%

West
35%

East
65%

Precast
25%

Building 
Envelope ® 
20%

APG
50%

South America   5%

Interior 
30%

Exterior
70%

Sector Exposure

Sector Exposure

Sector Exposure

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

10%

25%

65%

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

45%

45%

10%

Residential

Non-residential

Infrastructure

End-use

End-use

End-use

New

RMI

35%

65%

New

RMI

60%

40%

New

RMI

Annualised Production Volumes
Aggregates  –  122.6m tonnes (124.1m tonnes)**
Asphalt  –  37.4m tonnes (38.4m tonnes)**
Readymixed concrete  –  5.7m m3   (5.8m m3)**

Annualised Production Volumes

Outlets

Exterior products  –  139
Interior products  –  54

Concrete masonry, patio products,
pavers and roof tiles  –  9.9m tonnes
Pre-packaged cement mixes  –  2.6m tonnes
Clay bricks, pavers, and tiles  –  0.9m tonnes
Pre-packaged lawn & garden products  –  3.6m tonnes
Precast concrete products  –  1.1m tonnes
Pipe and pre-stressed concrete  –  0.4m tonnes
Building envelope products  –  9.8m square metres
Fencing products  –  11.4m lineal metres

50%

50%

0%

45%

55%

CRH  23

 
Europe Materials

Europe Materials’ strategy is to build strong vertically-
integrated regional positions. Operating in 17 
countries, the business is founded in resource-backed 
cement and aggregates assets which support the 
manufacture and supply of cement, aggregates, 
concrete and asphalt products. Extending reserves is 
an ongoing process and a key focus for Materials 
businesses. With a network of well-invested facilities, 
Europe Materials focusses on operational excellence 
initiatives which include production efficiencies, 
greater use of alternative fuels and manufacture of low 
carbon cements, while the scale of our operations 
provides economies in purchasing and logistics 
management. Early in 2014 the Group began a process 
of reorganising its European business by integrating its 
Products and Materials businesses into one European 

organisation. This will enable CRH to leverage the 
benefits of its operating plant network in both western 
and eastern European markets.

Development focus is centred on bolt-on acquisitions 
for synergies, reserves and further vertical integration 
in addition to opportunities in contiguous regions to 
extend and strengthen regional positions. Europe 
Materials has championed CRH’s entry into developing 
markets that offer long-term growth potential, with 
entry via cement and aggregates assets and the 
potential to roll out its operational excellence 
programmes and vertical integration approach over 
time. In total Europe Materials, excluding equity 
accounted investments, employs approximately  
9,400 people at close to 600 locations.

Henry Morris

FINLAND

ESTONIA

LATVIA

REGION OF  

ST. PETERSBURG

(RUSSIA) 

POLAND

SLOVAKIA

UKRAINE

IRELAND

SPAIN

BRITAIN

NETHERLANDS

BELGIUM

SWITZERLAND

Eastern Mediterranean & Asia  –  Equity Accounted Investments

In the Eastern Mediterranean region, CRH has a 50% joint venture 
shareholding in Denizli Çimento, the leading cement producer in  
the Aegean Region of Turkey, and a 25% shareholding in Mashav in 
Israel. These businesses have cement capacity of 2 million tonnes and 
6 million tonnes respectively.

CRH entered Asian markets in 2007 and has now established a 
leading regional presence in both China and India. CRH has a 26% 
share of Yatai Building Materials, the leader in China’s northeastern 
provinces (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning) with cement capacity of 
32 million tonnes. In India, CRH has a 50% joint venture 
shareholding in My Home Industries, the leader in the southern state 
of Andhra Pradesh, with cement capacity of 8 million tonnes.

TURKEY 

(AEGEAN REGION)

ISRAEL

Market leadership positions

Cement

Top10  Western Europe
No.1 
No.2 
No.3 
No.1 

Finland, Ireland, Ukraine
Switzerland
Poland
Basque Region, Spain

Aggregates

No.1 

Finland, Ireland

Asphalt

No.1 

Ireland

Readymixed concrete

No.1 
No.2 

Finland, Ireland
Switzerland

Agricultural & chemical lime

No.1 
No.2 

Ireland
Poland

Concrete products

No.1 
No.1 

Blocks & rooftiles, Ireland
Pavers, Poland

Reserves

Physical 
location 

Proven &   Period to
  probable  depletion

million tonnes 

years

Cement
Ireland 
Poland 
Switzerland 
Ukraine 
Spain 

Aggregates
Finland 
Ireland 
Poland 
Spain 
Other 

Lime
Ireland/Poland 

24  CRH

128 
47 
27 
162 
13 

174 
892 
209 
84 
204 

47 

83
11
21
44
87

13
89
19
32
26

47

 
 
 
 
Americas Materials

Americas Materials’ strategy is to build strong regional 
leadership positions underpinned by well-located, 
long-term reserves. Operating in 44 states with over  
13 billion tonnes of permitted aggregates reserves of 
which c.80% are owned, this business is vertically 
integrated from primary resource quarries into 
aggregates, asphalt and readymixed concrete products. 
With 65% exposure to infrastructure, the business is 
further integrated into asphalt paving services, through 
which it is a principal supplier for highway repair and 
maintenance. 

Our national network of operations and deep local 
market knowledge drive local performance and 
national synergies in procurement, cost management 
and operational excellence.

In a largely unconsolidated sector, where the top ten 
industry participants account for just 30% of 
aggregates production, 25% of asphalt production and 
20% of readymixed concrete production, CRH is 
structured and positioned to participate as the industry 
consolidates further. Americas Materials, excluding 
equity accounted investments, employs approximately 
18,200 people at close to 1,200 operating locations.

Market leadership positions

Aggregates 

No.3  National producer 

Asphalt 

No.1  National producer 

WASHINGTON

MONTANA

Readymixed concrete

OREGON

SOUTH DAKOTA

IDAHO

WYOMING

A
T
O
S
E
N
N
M

I

No.2  National producer

NEBRASKA

IOWA

Randy Lake

MAINE

NEW 

YORK
N I A

1

2

3

5

4

6

7

8

N
A

HIG
MIC

A
N
A
D
N

I

I

OHIO

Y

K

C

U

T

N

E

K

A

V

L

Y

S

N

N

E

P

W .VIR GINIA

VIRGINIA

Reserves

NEVADA

UTAH

COLORADO

Physical 
location 

Proven &   Period to
  probable  depletion

million tonnes 

years

ARIZONA

NEW MEXICO

Aggregates
East
West

Aggregates*
Cement*

9,188
4,207

136
9

130
83

118
31

* CRH share of Equity Accounted Investments

I

S
O
N
L
L

I

KANSAS

MISSOURI

I

OKLAHOMA

ARKANSAS

TENNESSEE

N.CAROLINA

PI
SIP
SIS
MIS

A
M
A
B
A
L
A

G

E

O

R

G

I

A

S. CAROLINA

TEXAS

F

L

O

R

I

D

A

1. VERMONT

2. NEW HAMPSHIRE

3. MASSACHUSETTS

4. RHODE ISLAND

5. CONNECTICUT

6. NEW JERSEY

7. DELAWARE

8. MARYLAND

ANDHRA PRADESH,

INDIA

NORTH  EAST 

CHINA

Market Leadership Positions

Reserves (CRH share)

Cement

No.1 

No.1 

No.1 

Aegean Region, Turkey (50%)

Andhra Pradesh, India (50%)

North East China (26%)

Physical 
location 

Proven &   Period to
  probable  depletion

million tonnes 

years

Cement
Turkey (50%) 
India (50%) 

Aggregates
Turkey (50%) 

155 
105 

78
32

47 

112

CRH  25

Europe Materials

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

-5%

-21%

2013

2012R

2,266

2,383

278

352

12.3%

14.8%

Total 
Change

-117

-74

Analysis of change

Organic Acquisitions  Divestments

Restructuring/
Impairment

Pension/ 
CO2 gains Exchange

-188

-40

+111

+7

-8

+1

+3

-

+6

-95

-

-43

-43

-32

-5

-3

Operating profit

-82%

39

217

-178

-40

-

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals
Pension restructuring gains amounted to €10 million (2012: €30 million)
Gains from CO2 trading were €8 million (2012: €31 million)

Restructuring costs amounted to €7 million (2012: €13 million)
Impairment charges of €101 million were incurred (2012: nil)

EBITDA above includes pension restructuring gains and gains from CO2 
trading. Operating profit is also stated after impairment charges; the net 
€83 million adverse impact of these items has been excluded from the 
commentary that follows.

After a weather-impacted first half which saw like-for-like sales decline 
by 16%, activity and profits in the second half of 2013 were almost in 
line with the second half of 2012. Like-for-like sales for the year overall 
decreased  by  8%  reflecting  weak  volumes  in  Poland  and  Benelux,  in 
particular,  combined  with  further,  albeit  more  modest,  declines  in 
construction  activity  in  Ireland.  The  benefit  from  our  continued  cost 
reduction and efficiency measures partly offset the impact of the lower 
volumes and overall EBITDA margin excluding pensions/CO2 gains was 
11.5% compared with 12.2% in 2012. 

On the development front during 2013, we concluded an asset swap in 
February in which we acquired Cementos Lemona in the Basque region 
in  Spain  in  exchange  for  our  26%  stake  in  Corporación  Uniland.  In 
September  we  became  the  market  leader  in  Ukraine  through  the 
acquisition of Mykolaiv Cement. We completed two smaller transactions 
strengthening  our  presence  in  Northern  Ireland  and  expanding  our 
network of cement import facilities in Britain.

Switzerland and Finland (55% of EBITDA)

Construction  spend  in  Switzerland  increased  again  in  2013  with  the 
residential  market  remaining  one  of  the  major  drivers  of  activity  and 
infrastructure spend continuing at good levels. With the benefit of mild 
weather in the fourth quarter, construction remained strong to the end of 
the  year.  Our  cement  volumes  were  12%  higher  than  2012  benefiting 
both from increased infrastructure projects and large individual projects. 
Aggregates  and  readymixed  concrete  volumes  continued  the  slightly 
upward  trend  of  recent  years.  Sales  prices,  particularly  cement,  saw 
some slippage in 2013 due to the continued strong Swiss Franc. Operating 
profit  was  ahead  of  2012.  In  Finland,  construction  spend  was  down 
mainly due to reduced residential activity. The government introduced 
two stimulus packages related mainly to the residential and RMI sectors, 
but execution was slow. With increasing levels of public debt, spending 
on infrastructure was reduced and progress on a number of large projects 
was delayed. While our businesses delivered modest price increases in 
cement,  aggregates  and  readymixed  concrete,  cement  and  aggregates 
volumes were lower and overall operating profit was below 2012. 

Poland and Ukraine (35% of EBITDA)

A pick-up in second-half construction activity in Poland was insufficient 
to offset the weather-impacted first half; national construction output fell 
by an estimated 11% in 2013 and cement volumes fell 9%. The residential 
sector  remained  sluggish  throughout  2013  with  new  starts  down  over 
11%.  Infrastructure  activity  picked  up  as  the  year  progressed  and  the 
second half saw the restart of a number of stalled projects. Mild weather 

26  CRH

late in the year enabled construction to continue until year-end. Against 
the improving backdrop our second-half cement volumes increased by 
8% compared with 2012, reducing the decline in our full-year volumes 
to 11%. Our aggregates and readymixed concrete volumes also declined 
year-on-year.  Prices  for  all  products  remained  under  pressure  in  very 
competitive markets, and overall operating profit in Poland was lower 
than 2012. In Ukraine, while the first half was negatively impacted by the 
prolonged winter conditions, demand was much stronger in the second 
half and national cement volumes for the year were down 3% compared 
with  2012.  Our  like-for-like  volumes  were  13%  ahead  of  2012  in  the 
second half, bringing our full-year volumes almost in line with last year 
(down 1%) and overall operating profit in Ukraine was broadly similar 
to 2012. 

Benelux, Ireland and Spain (10% of EBITDA)

Our businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium were impacted by falling 
construction  activity  in  2013.  Lower  volumes,  together  with  pricing 
pressure in very competitive markets, resulted in lower overall operating 
profit in the Benelux in spite of the benefits from ongoing cost reduction 
programmes. The decline in construction activity in Ireland moderated 
in 2013 and cement volumes were similar to 2012 levels. With a lower 
cost base, operating losses declined. In Spain, while construction activity 
fell  by  a  further  23%  with  declines  across  all  sectors,  our  like-for-like 
results  were  in  line  with  2012  due  to  the  benefit  of  previously-
implemented cost reduction programmes. Trading in our newly-acquired 
cement business Cementos Lemona was in line with expectations. 

Outlook

Switzerland is expected to remain solid in 2014 with continuing strong 
activity  in  residential  and  infrastructure.  In  Finland,  with  continuing 
pressure in the residential segment, construction spend is expected to be 
relatively flat in 2014, with some pick-up in the second half of the year.  
The  improved  activity  in  Poland  during  the  second  half  of  2013  is 
expected  to  continue  into  2014  with  construction  growth  led  by 
improving infrastructure activity. The outlook for Ukraine has become 
uncertain in recent weeks due to the political environment, and for now 
the implications for construction activity in 2014 are unclear; our main 
focus is to continue with margin improvement through cost efficiencies.  
The outlook for Benelux is for flat construction activity; with the benefits 
of  cost  efficiencies,  we  expect  to  improve  margins  in  2014.  The  2014 
outlook for Ireland is for modest growth in overall construction activity 
which, together with cost efficiencies, increased use of alternative fuels 
and increased export volumes, is expected to result in improved margins. 
In Spain, the outlook remains challenging with further volume declines 
expected  in  2014;  however,  ongoing  capacity  reduction  and  cost 
efficiencies should help our businesses to improve margins.

Americas Materials

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

-3%

          -

Operating profit

-19%

2013

4,721

557

11.8%

226

2012R

4,886

555

11.4%

279

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals

The  commentary  below  excludes  the  adverse  impact  of  impairment 
charges on operating profit. 

Adverse  weather  conditions,  which  had  resulted  in  a  25%  decline  in 
first-half US$ EBITDA, continued to impact operations in July and in the 
early weeks of August. Trading conditions proved much more favourable 
thereafter through to November and second-half US$ EBITDA was ahead 
of the corresponding period in 2012. Positive first-half trends in pricing 
continued into the second half. Though overall like-for-like sales revenue 
was 3% lower than last year, contributions from acquisitions resulted in 
overall US$ EBITDA for the year being 4% ahead of 2012.

A total of 10 acquisitions were completed in 2013 at a cost of €77 million, 
adding 457 million tonnes of reserves, 13 operating quarries, 5 strategic 
reserves  locations,  6  asphalt  plants  and  7  readymixed  concrete  plants 
with annual production of 2.0 million tonnes of aggregates, 0.4 million 
tonnes of asphalt and 0.1 million cubic metres of readymixed concrete.

Energy  and  related  costs:  The  price  of  bitumen,  a  key  component  of 
asphalt mix, declined by 4% in 2013 following a 7% increase in 2012. 
Prices for diesel and gasoline, important inputs to aggregates, readymixed 
concrete and paving operations, decreased by 2% and 3% respectively. 
The  price  of  energy  used  at  our  asphalt  plants,  consisting  of  fuel  oil, 
recycled oil, electricity and natural gas, fell by 1%. Recycled asphalt and 
shingles accounted for approximately 20% of total asphalt requirements 
in 2013. Wider use of warm-mix asphalt continues to deliver cost and 
customer benefits. With the positive effects of lower bitumen costs and 
further increased use of recycled asphalt, unit costs reduced by 2%.

Aggregates: Like-for-like volumes were slightly ahead of 2012 while total 
volumes including acquisitions increased 7%. Average prices increased 
by 3% on a like-for-like basis and 2% overall compared with 2012. Price 
increases  together  with  efficient  cost  control  resulted  in  an  improved 
margin for this business.

Asphalt: Impacted by poor weather and a later start to paving projects, 
like-for-like  volumes  were  down  7%  with  total  volumes  including 
acquisitions down 3%. While the average like-for-like sales price fell 1% 
and overall average price fell 2%, with the benefit of the 4% reduction in 
bitumen costs, margin per unit was maintained.

Readymixed Concrete: Like-for-like volumes decreased 2% while total 
volumes including acquisitions were up 2% compared with 2012. With 
average  prices  4%  higher  on  a  like-for-like  basis  and  up  5%  overall, 
margins improved. 

Paving and Construction Services: The poor first-half weather also con-
tributed to a later start on paving projects, resulting in 5% lower sales 
revenue in total, and a reduction of 6% on a like-for-like basis. Pricing 
remained under pressure in a competitive bidding environment; however, 
efficiency improvements enabled an improvement in overall margin.

Analysis of change

Organic

Acquisitions  Divestments

Restructuring/
Impairment

Exchange

Total 
Change

-165

+2

-147

-15

+141

+33

-53

-12

+26

-

-

-

-

+2

-58

-159

-18

-9

Restructuring costs amounted to €12 million (2012: €14 million)
Impairment charges of €60 million were incurred (2012: nil)

Regional Performance

East (65% of EBITDA)

The East region comprises operations in 22 states, the most important of 
which are Ohio, New York, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania 
and West Virginia. The adverse weather conditions in the first half had 
the greatest impact on the Mid-Atlantic division, which reported lower 
results  than  in  2012.  In  the  Northeast  division,  2013  results  benefited 
from  the  inclusion  of  acquisitions  completed  at  the  end  of  2012,  and 
operating  results  improved.  The  Central  division  profits  were  broadly 
consistent with 2012 with lower volumes offset by improved prices. The 
residential market in Florida continued its upward trend contributing to 
strong  volumes,  better  prices  and  margin  growth,  and  positively 
impacting  performance  in  the  Southeast  division.  Overall  operating 
profit for the East region was higher than 2012 with volumes 8%, 4% and 
9%  ahead  of  2012  for  aggregates,  asphalt  and  readymixed  concrete 
respectively. 

West (35% of EBITDA)

The West region also has operations in 22 states, the most important of 
which  are  Utah,  Texas,  Washington,  Missouri,  Iowa,  Kansas  and 
Mississippi.  Poor  weather  conditions  that  persisted  through  to  mid-
August  affected  results  in  both  the  Central  West  and  Mountain  West 
divisions,  with  a  reduction  in  large  infrastructure  contracts  in  Utah 
further contributing to the lower outcome in Mountain West compared 
with  2012.  More  positively,  the  Northwest  division  saw  substantial 
improvement over 2012’s record lows. With overall declines in asphalt 
and  readymixed  concrete  volumes  of  14%  and  3%  respectively,  only 
partly offset by increases in aggregates volumes of 4%, operating profit 
was lower than in 2012. 

Outlook 

We  expect  that  GDP  growth  in  2014  will  be  similar  to  2013  and  that 
residential construction will continue to advance. With the increase in 
housing, non-residential construction should also see an improvement. 
While Federal funding for infrastructure is expected to be in line with 
2013;  state  fiscal  conditions  continue  to  improve  with  more  states 
introducing additional infrastructure funding measures. The increase in 
the  Transportation  Infrastructure  Finance  and  Innovation  Act  (TIFIA) 
funding  should  also  give  states  greater  opportunities  and  options  to 
benefit from private sector involvement in highway projects; we expect 
the impact of these investments to be more medium to long-term. 

Overall, we expect 2014 like-for-like volumes for aggregates and asphalt 
to  be  broadly  similar  to  2013  with  readymixed  concrete  volumes 
expanding  slightly  due  to  an  improving  residential  market.  Targeted 
price  increases  in  all  product  lines,  combined  with  efficiency 
improvements and stability in the energy markets, are expected to lead to 
another year of margin expansion in 2014.

CRH  27

 
Europe Products

Europe Products’ strategy has been to build and grow 
scalable businesses in the large European construction 
markets by increasing the penetration of CRH products, 
developing positions to benefit from scale and best 
practice, creating competitive advantage through 
product, process and end-use innovation, while 
maintaining a balanced exposure to demand drivers. 
Early in 2014 the Group began a process of 
reorganising its European business by integrating its 
Products and Materials businesses into one European 
organisation. This will enable CRH to leverage the 
benefits of its operating plant network in both western 
and eastern European markets.

Operating in 21 countries, this business is a regional 
leader in concrete products, concrete landscaping, clay 
products, construction accessories and outdoor 

security. Leveraging the benefits of our regional 
platforms, we realise operational and procurement 
synergies across the network. A focus on product 
development provides construction solutions which 
increase efficiencies on site, creating more design 
freedom for architects while enhancing the built 
environment and reducing energy consumption of 
buildings. Europe Products’ development strategy is to 
continue to penetrate the growing RMI markets of 
developed Europe and to broaden the product range in 
developing regions as construction markets in those 
regions become more sophisticated. This segment 
employs approximately 15,600 people at close to  
360 operating locations.

Francisco Irazusta

MALAYSIA

INNER MONGOLIA,

CHINA

NORWAY

SWEDEN

IRELAND

DENMARK

BRITAIN

NETHERLANDS

BELG.

GERMANY

FRANCE

POLAND

CZECH 
REPUBLIC

SWITZ.

AUSTRIA

SLOVAKIA

HUNGARY

SPAIN

ITALY

ROMANIA

Market leadership positions

Architectural concrete

Clay products

AUSTRALIA

No.1  paving products: Benelux, France, Slovakia
No.1  paving/landscape walling: Germany 
No.1  architectural masonry: UK 
No.2  paving products: Denmark

Structural concrete products

No.1  precast flooring: Benelux
No.1  precast architectural concrete: Denmark
No.1  utility precast: France 
No.1  precast structural elements: Hungary, Switzerland 
No.1  concrete fencing and lintels: UK 

No.1  facing bricks: UK 
No.3  facing bricks & blocks: Poland 

Construction accessories

No.1  Western Europe 

Lightside building products

No.1  security fencing and perimeter protection: Europe 
No.1  Shutters & Awnings: Netherlands, Germany

28  CRH

 
 
Americas Products

Americas Products’ strategy is to build an optimised 
portfolio of businesses which have leading positions 
across a balanced range of products, markets and 
end-use segments. Our activities are organised into 
three product groups under the Oldcastle name: 
Architectural Products (concrete masonry and 
hardscapes, clay brick, packaged lawn and garden 
products, packaged cement mixes, fencing), Precast 
(utility, drainage and structural precast, construction 
accessories) and BuildingEnvelope® (glass and 
aluminium glazing systems). A coordinated approach 
at both a national and regional level achieves 
economies of scale and facilitates sharing of best 
practices which drive operational and commercial 
improvement. Through Oldcastle’s North American 
research and development centres, a pipeline of 

innovative value-added products and design solutions 
is maintained. 

Operating in 40 US states and 6 Canadian provinces, 
CRH has the breadth of product range and national 
footprint to provide a national service to customers 
with the personal touch of a local supplier. Focussing 
on strategic and national accounts, the Oldcastle 
Building Solutions initiative provides an additional 
platform for growth as it is uniquely positioned in the 
industry to offer solutions to customers across all 
phases of building construction. Employees total 
approximately 17,300 at over 400 locations.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

SASKATCHEWAN

MANITOBA

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

Keith Haas

CHILE

WASHINGTON

ARGENTINA

OREGON

IDAHO

A
T
O
S
E
N
N
M

I

IOWA

I

N
S
N
O
S
W

I

N
A

HIG
MIC

A
N
A
D
N

I

I

OHIO

Y

K

C

U

T

N

E

K

MAINE

NEW 

YORK
N I A

1

2

4

3

A

V

L

Y

S

N

N

E

P

W .VIR GINIA

VIRGINIA

5

6

I

S
O
N
L
L

I

KANSAS

MISSOURI

I

OKLAHOMA

ARKANSAS

TENNESSEE

N.CAROLINA

TEXAS

L

O

U

I

S

I

A

N

A

A
M
A
B
A
L
A

G

E

O

R

G

I

A

S. CAROLINA

F

L

O

R

I

D

A

1. NEW HAMPSHIRE

2. MASSACHUSETTS

3. RHODE ISLAND

4. CONNECTICUT

5. NEW JERSEY

6. MARYLAND

NEVADA

UTAH

COLORADO

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

NEW MEXICO

MEXICO 

(BAJA CALIFORNIA)

Market leadership positions

Concrete masonry, patio products, pavers and rooftiles

Precast concrete products

No.1  paving & patio: North America
No.1  masonry: United States

Packaged cement mixes

No. 2  United States

Clay bricks, pavers and tiles

No.1  brick producer: northeast and midwest United States
No.1  rooftiles: Argentina 
No. 2  floor and wall tiles: Argentina

Packaged lawn & garden products

No. 2  United States

No.1  precast concrete utility products: United States

Building envelope solutions

No.1  North America

Construction accessories

No. 2  United States

Fencing products

No. 2  fencing distributor and manufacturer: United States

CRH  29

 
 
 
Europe Products

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

-4%

-22%

Operating profit

n/m

2013

2012R

2,477

152

6.1%

2,376

119

5.0%

-406

Total 
Change

-101

-33

-100

-28

19

-425

-28

Analysis of change

Organic Acquisitions  Divestments

Restructuring/
Impairment

Pension 

gains Exchange

+47

+4

+1

-28

-1

-1

-

-9

-399

-

+3

+3

-20

-2

-1

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals
Pension restructuring gains amounted to €3 million (2012: nil)

Restructuring costs amounted to €36 million (2012: €27 million)
Impairment charges of €414 million were incurred (2012: €24 million)

Clay Products (5% of EBITDA) 

New residential markets in the UK experienced significant growth due to 
the  government’s  “Help  to  Buy”  scheme  and  industry  brick  volumes 
finished 9% ahead of 2012. Selling price increases were also achieved 
and, despite higher natural gas costs, operating profit was ahead of 2012. 
Our  clay  businesses  in  the  Netherlands  and  Poland  were  impacted  by 
weaker residential demand in very competitive markets, with volumes 
and prices under pressure. We decided to close part of our clay business 
in the Netherlands, contributing to the overall increase in restructuring 
charges  compared  with  2012.  Operating  results  for  our  Clay  business 
overall were broadly in line with 2012.

Lightside Building Products (45% of EBITDA)

With  greater  exposure  to  the  repairs  sector,  activity  in  our  lightside 
products  business  was  less  impacted  than  in  our  concrete  business. 
While trading levels in the second half of the year were broadly in line 
with  2012,  weaker  trading  in  key  markets  in  the  first  half  led  to  a 
reduction in overall operating profit. With lower construction activity in 
its  major  markets,  operating  profit  for  Construction  Accessories  was 
behind 2012 due to lower volumes and continuing margin pressure. The 
Outdoor  Security  and  Fencing  businesses  also  experienced  difficult 
markets and volumes were behind 2012; however, due to cost reduction 
measures, operating profit was ahead of last year. Our Shutters & Awnings 
business,  which  is  concentrated  in  Germany  and  the  Netherlands, 
benefited from stable demand and the contribution from 2012 acquisitions 
and operating profit was ahead of prior year.

Outlook

Management  expect  that  results  in  2014  will  show  improvement 
primarily driven by continued strong private housing demand in the UK 
and  a  recovery  in  our  German  Landscaping  and  Danish  Structural 
Concrete businesses. Markets in the Netherlands are expected to decline 
again, especially in new-build construction, and further rationalisation 
programmes  are  being  implemented  to  help  counteract  the  negative 
impact on results. France is expected to remain challenging in 2014. The 
outlook for Construction Accessories and for Shutters & Awnings is more 
favourable. Overall sales for Europe Products are anticipated to increase 
slightly  in  2014  and,  combined  with  commercial  and  operational 
excellence  programmes  and  the  impact  of  previous  restructuring  and  
cost  savings  initiatives,  should  contribute  to  an  improvement  in  
operating profit.

EBITDA above includes pension restructuring gains and operating profit 
is  also  stated  after  impairment  charges;  the  net  €411  million  adverse 
impact  of  these  items  has  been  excluded  from  the  commentary  that 
follows.

Our Products business in Europe is located primarily in the Netherlands, 
Belgium, Germany, the UK and France. Construction activity in most of 
these markets was severely impacted by the prolonged winter conditions 
in the early months of 2013. With improved trading conditions from May 
onwards, sales and EBITDA in the second half of the year were slightly 
ahead of 2012. Overall full-year like-for-like sales declined by 4% versus 
2012. Our markets remained weak in the Netherlands where new-build 
activity  continued  to  deteriorate,  while  Belgium  and  France  were 
somewhat more resilient. The UK was the only major market showing 
growth, benefiting from strong residential markets. Despite a sharp focus 
on continued cost discipline, significant overcapacity in very competitive 
markets  led  to  margin  erosion,  impacting  negatively  on  overall 
profitability. In response to these challenging markets, as in prior years, 
we continued to engage in a number of restructuring measures to help 
realign our cost base to lower volumes. 

During  2013  we  acquired  a  manufacturer  of  pre-stressed  hollow  core 
elements  in  Belgium,  expanding  and  strengthening  our  position  as 
market leader in Belgium’s pre-stressed hollow core flooring segment. 

Concrete Products (50% of EBITDA)

The adverse weather conditions across Europe negatively impacted on 
trading in the first half of the year. The decline moderated somewhat in 
the  second  half  although  trading  conditions  overall  remained  weak. 
Ongoing  fragile  consumer  confidence  contributed  to  poor  residential 
demand,  particularly  in  the  Netherlands,  while  fiscal  consolidation 
measures across Europe also impacted non-residential construction. Our 
concrete operations in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France 
all saw weaker activity levels. Overall like-for-like sales declined by 7%. 

Our  Architectural  operations  (tiles,  pavers,  blocks)  were  impacted  by 
weaker  consumer  confidence  and  lower  government  and  municipal 
spending.  Despite  an  improved  performance  in  the  UK,  driven  by 
stronger residential markets, overall Architectural revenues were lower 
than  2012  mainly  due  to  lower  volumes  in  our  German  landscaping 
business.  Our  Structural  operations  (floors,  walls  and  beams)  also 
reported lower sales due to weaker Dutch and Danish markets. Additional 
restructuring  measures  were  undertaken  in  the  Netherlands  in  the 
second half of the year to further reduce our cost base. Profitability in our 
Structural  Concrete  business  in  Belgium  was  in  line  with  2012  with 
lower  organic  results  offset  by  the  contribution  from  the  acquisition 
during the year.

30  CRH

Americas Products

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

+9%

+21%

Operating profit

-21%

2013

3,068

246

8.0%

68

2012R

2,806

204

7.3%

86

Analysis of change

Organic

Acquisitions  Divestments

Restructuring/
Impairment

Exchange

Total 
Change

+262

+42

+219

+37

+166

+21

-18

+49

+12

-6

-

-

-

-9

-76

-117

-7

-3

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals

Restructuring costs amounted to €11 million (2012: €2 million)
Impairment charges of €71 million were incurred (2012: €4 million)

In  our  traditional  utility  and  structural  precast  products  businesses, 
volumes increased 5% over 2012 and higher input costs were recovered 
through price increases. Overall like-for-like sales increased by 6% and 
operating profit advanced significantly.

BuildingEnvelope® (20% of EBITDA) 

The  BuildingEnvelope®  group  is  North  America’s  leading  supplier  of 
architectural glass and aluminium glazing systems to close the building 
envelope. New non-residential building activity, a key market segment 
for this business, was largely flat in 2013 resulting in challenging market 
conditions.  Despite  this  backdrop,  ongoing  initiatives  to  gain  market 
share  and  differentiate  the  business  through  innovative  product  and 
technology  offerings  drove  solid  top-line  growth.  Organic  sales  rose 
14%,  outpacing  the  overall  market.  The  Architectural  Glass  and 
Storefront  division  benefited  from  an  improved  pricing  environment, 
resilient  non-residential  RMI  activity  and  a  generally  more  favourable 
product  mix.  Our  Engineered  Glazing  Systems  division  enjoyed 
increased activity as major project work progressed. With a tight focus on 
cost  control,  product  quality  and  improved  processes,  the  business 
delivered operating profit improvement.

South America (5% of EBITDA)

Results for our operations in Argentina improved compared with 2012; 
production and sales mix changes contributed to an increase in volumes, 
prices  and  marginal  contribution  in  the  floor  and  wall  tile  segments. 
Results from our businesses in Chile were down on 2012 with modest 
gains in specialised construction products offset by lower prices in our 
glass products due to increased competition. Overall sales and operating 
profit for our South American operations were higher than in 2012.

Outlook 

With the backdrop of improving residential activity and some positive 
indicators  for  non-residential  construction  demand,  we  expect  further 
organic  sales  growth  in  2014.  Combined  with  the  impact  of  2012  and 
2013 acquisitions and the benefits of internal cost and process initiatives, 
we expect to record improved operating margin and profit in 2014.

The  commentary  below  excludes  the  adverse  impact  of  impairment 
charges on operating profit.

A  recovery  in  residential  construction  in  the  United  States  and  an 
ongoing pick-up in overall economic activity helped Americas Products 
improve its results in 2013. Like-for-like sales were 8% ahead of last year. 
The impact of input cost pressures was more than offset by a continued 
tight focus on operational efficiency and targeted pricing improvements. 
As a result, with the benefit of organic growth, modest pricing benefits, 
cost  reduction  initiatives  and  contributions  from  acquisitions,  the 
segment achieved a significant increase in operating profit and margin. 

Four acquisitions were completed in 2013 at a total spend of €123 million. 
Of  particular  note  was  the  acquisition  by  our  Architectural  Products 
Group  (APG)  of  hardscape  and  masonry  operations  both  in  Western 
Canada  (seven  facilities)  and  the  Carolinas  (14  plants),  extending  our 
footprints  of  core  product  categories  into  new  markets.  The  Canadian 
acquisition  establishes  APG  as  the  only  coast-to-coast  manufacturer  of 
masonry and hardscape products. 

Architectural Products (50% of EBITDA)

APG is a leading supplier of masonry and hardscape products, packaged 
lawn and garden products, clay brick and fencing solutions. In addition 
to  contractor-based  new  construction,  the  DIY  and  professional  RMI 
segments  are  significant  end-users.  After  a  slow  start,  the  business 
benefited from improving new residential construction, increasing RMI 
spend and favourable weather in the second half of the year. However, 
overall growth was dampened somewhat by weak recovery in the non-
residential segment. Generally activity was more robust in the West and 
South while remaining more challenged in the Northeast, Midwest and 
Eastern Canada. The improving housing market, together with product 
innovation  and  commercial  initiatives,  drove  gains  across  most 
businesses  while  further  cost  reduction  measures  and  selected  price 
improvements  offset  the  impact  of  higher  input  costs.  Overall,  APG 
recorded a higher operating profit for the year, reflecting a 3% increase in 
like-for-like  sales,  margin  improvement  and  a  solid  contribution  from 
recent acquisitions.

Precast (25% of EBITDA)

The Precast group manufactures a broad range of value-added concrete 
and  polymer-based  products  primarily 
infrastructure 
applications.  The  business  saw  an  improved  market  environment  in 
2013 and registered solid gains as growth initiatives continued to deliver. 
Improvements were seen in most regions with particular progress in the 
Great Plains, northern California and Mid-Atlantic regions. 

for  utility 

Commercial and infrastructure markets remained generally subdued but 
residential demand, as well as energy and environment-related markets, 
continued to show positive trends. 

CRH  31

 
Europe Distribution

Europe Distribution’s strategy is to increase its network 
density in the largely unconsolidated core European 
markets while also investing in other attractive 
segments of building materials distribution. 
Organisational initiatives leverage expertise between 
DIY and Builders Merchants and use best-in-class IT to 
deliver operational excellence, optimise the supply 
chain and provide superior customer service. 

exposure to growing RMI market demand. An example 
is CRH’s entry into the developing Sanitary, Heating 
and Plumbing (“SHAP”) distribution market through 
the acquisition of a Swiss provider of high-end sanitary 
ware, since replicated in contiguous markets in 
Germany and Belgium. Europe Distribution, excluding 
equity accounted investments, employs approximately 
11,300 people at over 670 locations.

From an established base in the Netherlands, CRH has 
expanded its leading Builders Merchants positions in 
Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France, in addition 
to growing its DIY “Gamma” format in the Benelux. 
Substantial opportunities remain to expand our 
existing network in core European markets and to 
establish new platforms aimed at increasing our 

Market leadership positions

Marc St. Nicolaas

NETHERLANDS

B

E

L

G

I
U

M

GERMANY

FRANCE

SWITZ.

AUSTRIA

L
A
G
U
T
R
O
P

Builders Merchants

No.1  Austria
No.1  Netherlands
No.1  Switzerland
No.1  North Germany 
No.1  France: Burgundy, 

Franche-Comté 
and Rhône-Alps 

No.2  Ile-de-France

DIY Stores

No.1  Netherlands* 
No.3  Belgium*
No.5  Germany** 
No.2  (joint) Portugal (50%)

*  Member of Gamma franchise
** Member of Hagebau franchise

SHAP

No.2  Switzerland
No.2   Belgium 
No.3   Northern Germany

32  CRH

 
 
Americas Distribution

Americas Distribution’s strategy is focussed on being 
the supplier of choice to the professional roofing and 
siding contractor and on applying this successful 
distribution model to the Interior Products segment. 
Demand in the Exterior Products business is largely 
influenced by residential and commercial replacement 
activity with the key products having an average life 
span of 25 years. The Interior Products division has 
less exposure to replacement activity as demand is 
largely driven by the new residential and commercial 
construction market. State-of-the-art IT, disciplined 
and focussed cash management, and well-established 
procurement and commercial systems support supply 
chain optimisation and enable CRH to provide 
superior customer service. 

Operating in 31 states, growth opportunities  
include investment in new and existing markets,  
in complementary private label and energy-saving 
product offerings, and in other attractive building 
materials distribution segments that service 
professional dealer networks. Employees total 
approximately 3,700 at over 190 locations. 

WASHINGTON

NORTH DAKOTA

OREGON

SOUTH DAKOTA

A
T
O
S
E
N
N
M

I

WISCONSIN

NEBRASKA

IOWA

NEVADA

UTAH

COLORADO

CALIFORNIA

ARIZONA

I

S
O
N
L
L

I

I

TEXAS

ALASKA

HAWAII

Market leadership positions

Exterior Products

No.3  roofing/siding distributor: 

United States

Interior Products

No.3 

interior products distributor: 
United States

Robert Feury Jr.

N
A

HIG
MIC

A
N
A
D
N

I

I

NEW 

YORK
N I A

1

2

3

4

5

A

V

L

Y

S

N

N

E

P

OHIO

VIRGINIA

N.CAROLINA

G

E

O

R

G

I

A

F

L

O

R

I

D

A

1. MASSACHUSETTS

2. RHODE ISLAND

3. CONNECTICUT

4. NEW JERSEY

5. MARYLAND

CRH  33

 
Europe Distribution

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

-1%

-14%

Operating profit

-27%

Analysis of change

2013

3,936

186

4.7%

106

2012R

3,956

217

5.5%

145

Total 
Change

Organic

Acquisitions 

Restructuring/
Impairment

Pension 
gains

Exchange

-20

-31

-39

-175

-47

-48

+180

+7

+4

-

-1

-5

-

+11

+11

-25

-1

-1

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals
Pension restructuring gains amounted to €11 million (2012: nil)

Restructuring costs amounted to €4 million (2012: €3 million)
Impairment charges of €4 million were incurred (2012: nil)

DIY (30% of EBITDA)

Our wholly-owned DIY business operates 196 stores in the Netherlands, 
Germany and Belgium. Operating profit was lower than in 2012. In the 
Netherlands, the combination of the very severe weather during the first 
quarter and the continued weakness in consumer confidence resulted in 
sales levels in our Dutch DIY business that were significantly lower than 
last  year  and  operating  profit  declined  despite  restructuring  and  cost- 
saving  measures.  In  Belgium,  our  DIY  activities  proved  more  resilient 
and reported similar sales and operating profit to those achieved in 2012. 
In  a  challenging  environment  for  the  German  DIY  sector,  sales  in  our 
German DIY business were also impacted by the adverse weather and, 
despite continued cost focus, operating profit and margin were lower. 

Sanitary, Heating and Plumbing (“SHAP”) (25% of EBITDA)

Sales for our SHAP business, which operates 126 branches, were ahead 
of  2012  due  to  an  organic  improvement  in  our  German  and  Belgian 
businesses  together  with  the  incremental  impact  of  the  two  Belgian 
acquisitions completed in the second half of 2012. Due to the challenging 
market  conditions  in  Switzerland,  results  were  lower  compared  with 
2012. Overall operating profit for our SHAP activities was ahead of 2012 
assisted by the contribution from acquisitions.

Outlook

While  underlying  indicators  for  the  Dutch  economy  are  showing  first 
signs  of  a  slight  recovery,  we  expect  construction  activity  to  remain 
subdued. The German market outlook is broadly positive and we expect 
Switzerland to remain stable, while results from our Austrian business 
are  expected  to  improve.  We  also  expect  to  make  further  progress  in 
France.  Overall  2014  is  likely  to  be  another  challenging  year,  but  we 
expect  improved  operating  profit  mainly  due  to  further  initiatives  in 
commercial and operational excellence programmes and our continued 
focus on costs. 

EBITDA above includes pension restructuring gains and operating profit 
is also stated after impairment charges; the net €7 million impact of these 
items has been excluded from the commentary that follows.

The Distribution business was also impacted by the adverse first-half 
weather conditions. This together with weak construction activity and 
low  consumer  confidence,  particularly  in  the  Netherlands  (which 
accounts  for  almost  30%  of  Distribution  sales),  contributed  to  a  4% 
reduction in like-for-like sales in 2013, the impact of which was largely 
offset  by  the  incremental  impact  of  acquisitions  completed  in  2012 
and 2013. Following sharp profit reductions in the first half, the second 
half  saw  a  moderation  in  the  rate  of  decline  which,  combined  with 
previous  restructuring  efforts  and  cost  saving  initiatives  and  certain 
pension  curtailment  benefits,  limited  the  overall  decline  in  full-year 
EBITDA to 14%. 

Our  professional  builders  merchants  network  was  strengthened  by 
three  acquisitions  during  2013.  In  the  Benelux,  we  acquired  a  well-
established seven-branch builders merchant, which complements our 
existing  Dutch  business,  and  a  two-branch  Belgian  operator.  We  also 
acquired  four  branches  in  northern  France  increasing  our  Normandy 
network to 19 locations. 

Professional Builders Merchants (45% of EBITDA)

Overall  results  for  our  wholly-owned  professional  builders  merchants 
business, which operates 349 branches in six countries, were lower than 
in 2012. The incremental contribution from acquisitions more than offset 
the  shortfall  in  like-for-like  sales  in  the  Benelux  where  weak  markets, 
especially  in  Dutch  residential  and  new-build,  continued  to  impact 
performance.  Despite  strong  cost  control  and  economies  of  scale  from 
acquisitions,  operating  profit  was  behind  prior  year.  Sales  levels  in 
France  were  slightly  lower  for  the  year  overall  but  operating  profit 
improved  due  to  the  continued  focus  on  pricing,  purchasing  and  cost 
control.  In  Switzerland,  the  strength  of  the  Swiss  Franc  continued  to 
affect competitiveness contributing to a decline in sales and, despite the 
ongoing  roll-out  of  various  excellence  programmes,  both  operating 
margin and profit were also lower. Sales levels in Austria were severely 
impacted  by  the  bad  weather  in  the  first  quarter  and  operational 
challenges due to a system implementation, resulting in operating profit 
that was significantly behind 2012. Despite the severe impact of the bad 
weather in early 2013, our builders merchants activities in Germany saw 
improved trading from April onwards and, together with better margins 
and good cost control, resulted in operating profit for the year that was in 
line with 2012.

34  CRH

Americas Distribution

Results

€ million

Sales revenue 

EBITDA

EBITDA/sales

% 
Change

+6%

+7%

Operating profit

+14%

2013

1,664

89

5.3%

67

2012R

1,576

83

5.3%

59

Total 
Change

+88

+6

+112

+8

+8

+10

Analysis of change

Organic

Acquisitions  Divestments

Restructuring/
Impairment

Exchange

+27

+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-51

-3

-2

EBITDA and operating profit exclude profit on disposals

Restructuring costs amounted to €1 million (2012: €1 million)

Interior Products (30% of EBITDA)

The Interior Products business sells wallboard, steel studs and acoustical 
ceiling systems to specialised contractors and is heavily dependent on 
the  new  residential  and  commercial  construction  market,  having  low 
exposure  to  weather-driven  replacement  activity.  Allied  is  the  third-
largest Interior Products distributor in the United States. Performance in 
this  business  was  strong  in  all  markets  with  increased  volumes  and 
prices  of  our  core  products  contributing  to  higher  sales  and  improved 
operating  margin,  which  further  benefited  from  the  lower  cost  base 
resulting from the cost savings initiatives undertaken in recent years. 

Outlook

The overall outlook for 2014 is encouraging as commercial and residential 
construction  is  expected  to  grow.  While  the  increased  repair  and 
renovation activity as a result of Hurricane Sandy was largely completed 
in 2013, our expanded Exterior Products network together with expected 
market  growth  should  provide  momentum  in  2014.  Another  year  of 
growth  is  expected  in  the  Interior  Products  business  as  wallboard 
volumes and pricing are expected to increase. Overall, the benefit of our 
consolidation  and  streamlining  measures  combined  with  a  positive 
market  outlook  should  provide  for  a  further  year  of  operating  profit 
improvement in 2014.

Americas  Distribution,  trading  as  Allied  Building  Products  (“Allied”), 
experienced solid performance across its activities in 2013 and reported 
good overall results. Both business divisions continued to advance and 
sales  and  operating  profit  were  ahead  of  2012.  Performance  in  our 
Exterior  Products  business  was  led  by  a  strong  Northeast  and  the 
rebuilding  efforts  following  Hurricane  Sandy.  The  Interior  Products 
business  continued  to  show  growth  as  both  volumes  and  pricing 
improved throughout the year. 

In  2013,  Allied  management  maintained  its  focus  on  streamlining 
administrative procedures and eliminating redundant processes through 
a significant internal initiative. This simplification of business processes, 
along  with  the  ongoing  evolution  of  our  organisational  structure,  is 
aimed  at  improving  acquisition  integration  and  enhancing  operating 
synergies and should allow for greater economies of scale as our business, 
and the overall markets, grow. 

We completed three small transactions in 2013. A three-branch Interior 
Products company based in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. market was 
acquired in April and a four-branch Interior Products business based in 
northern  Florida  was  added  in  October.  Certain  assets  of  a  small 
distressed business in Houston were also acquired to provide a platform 
for an Exterior Products strategy in Texas. 

Progress continued to be made in 2013 to increase brand awareness of 
TriBuilt,  Allied’s  proprietary  private  label  brand,  as  both  sales  and 
product  offerings  grew.  Additionally,  Allied  implemented  a  new 
greenfield  and  service  centre  strategy  in  order  to  help  drive  growth  in 
existing markets. The new service centre model will enable us to improve 
customer  service, consolidate fixed costs and more efficiently leverage 
branch  assets.  This  new  customer  service  platform,  together  with  our 
process  and  procedure  streamlining  efforts  and  our  commitment  to 
employee development, continue to further help differentiate Allied in 
the marketplace.

Exterior Products (70% of EBITDA)

Exterior Products are largely comprised of roofing and siding products, 
the demand for which is greatly influenced by residential and commercial 
replacement  activity  (75%  of  sales  volume  is  RMI-related)  with  key 
products  having  an  average  life  span  of  25  years.  Allied  continues  to 
maintain its position as one of the top three roofing and siding distributors 
in  the  United  States.  Strong  growth  was  experienced  in  the  Northeast 
driven  by  the  rebuilding  efforts  following  Hurricane  Sandy.  However, 
competitive  pressures  across  the  industry  continued  as  the  overall 
market contracted from 2012 leading to price pressure in all regions. A 
regional restructuring was completed with the focus on reducing costs 
and improving customer service, which allowed us to maintain operating 
margin  at  a  level  consistent  with  2012.  Overall  the  Exterior  Products 
division reported sales and operating profit ahead of 2012.

CRH  35

 
This state-of-the-art energy efficient asphalt plant at Tilcon’s 
Mount Hope Quarry, Wharton, New Jersey is one of the 
largest in the State, and can produce 550 tonnes per hour 
and store 2,400 tonnes of material in hot storage silos.   

36  CRH

Board of Directors 

Nicky Hartery
Chairman

Appointed to the Board: June 2004
Nationality: Irish
Age: 62

Committee membership: Acquisitions 
Committee; Finance Committee;  
Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee; Remuneration Committee

Albert Manifold
Chief Executive

Appointed to the Board: January 2009
Nationality: Irish
Age: 51

Committee membership: Acquisitions 
Committee; Finance Committee

Maeve Carton
Finance Director

Appointed to the Board: May 2010
Nationality: Irish
Age: 55

Committee membership: Acquisitions 
Committee; Finance Committee

Mark Towe
Chief Executive Officer Oldcastle, Inc.

Appointed to the Board: July 2008
Nationality: United States
Age: 64

Committee membership: Not Applicable 

Skills and experience: Nicky was Vice President of Manufacturing 
and Business Operations for Dell Inc.’s Europe, Middle East and Africa 
(EMEA) operations from 2000 to 2008. Prior to joining Dell, he was 
Executive Vice President at Eastman Kodak and previously held the 
position of President and Chief Executive Officer at Verbatim Corporation, 
based in the United States. Qualifications: C.Eng, FIEI, MBA.

External appointments: Chief Executive of Prodigium, a consulting 
company which provides business advisory services; non-executive 
director of Musgrave Group plc, a privately-owned international food 
retailer, and of Eircom Limited, a telecommunications services provider 
in Ireland. 

Skills and experience: Albert joined CRH in 1998. Prior to this he was 
Chief Operating Officer with a private equity group. He was appointed 
Chief Operating Officer and to the CRH Board in January 2009, and as 
Group Chief Executive with effect from 1 January 2014. Prior to his 
appointment to the CRH Board, Albert held a variety of senior positions, 
including Finance Director, and subsequently Managing Director, of the 
Europe Materials Division and Group Development Director of CRH. He 
has extensive experience of the buildings materials industry and CRH’s 
international expansion. Qualifications: FCPA, MBA, MBS.

Skills and experience: Since joining CRH in 1988, Maeve has held  
a number of roles in the Group Finance area and was appointed Group 
Controller in 2001, Head of Group Finance in January 2009 and to 
the position of Finance Director in May 2010. She has broad-ranging 
experience of CRH’s reporting, control, budgetary and capital expenditure 
processes and has been extensively involved in CRH’s evaluation of 
acquisitions. Prior to joining CRH, she worked for a number of years  
as a chartered accountant in an international accountancy practice. 
Qualifications: MA, FCA.

External appointments: Director of The British Irish Chamber of 
Commerce, a business and employers organisation.  

Skills and experience: Mark joined CRH in 1997. In 2000, he was 
appointed President of Oldcastle Materials, Inc. and became the Chief 
Executive Officer of this Division in 2006. He was appointed to his 
current position of Chief Executive Officer of Oldcastle, Inc. (the holding 
company for CRH’s operations in the Americas) in July 2008. With more 
than 40 years of experience in the building materials industry, he has 
overall responsibility for the Group’s operations in the Americas.

Board of Directors continued overleaf

CRH  37

 
Board Of Directors | continued

Ernst Bärtschi
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: October 2011
Nationality: Swiss
Age: 61

Committee membership: Audit Committee 
(Financial expert)

William (Bill) Egan
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board:  January 2007
Nationality:  United States
Age: 68

Committee membership: Nomination  
and Corporate Governance Committee; 
Remuneration Committee 

Utz-Hellmuth Felcht
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: July 2007
Nationality: German
Age: 66

Committee membership: Acquisitions 
Committee; Finance Committee 

Jan Maarten de Jong
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: January 2004
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 68

Committee membership: Acquisitions 
Committee; Finance Committee

John Kennedy
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: June 2009
Nationality: Irish
Age: 63

Committee membership: Nomination  
and Corporate Governance Committee; 
Remuneration Committee 

38  CRH

Skills and experience: Ernst was Chief Executive of Sika AG, a 
manufacturer of speciality chemicals for construction and general 
industry, until 31 December 2011. Prior to joining Sika, he worked for the 
Schindler Group and was Chief Finance Officer between 1997 and 2001. 
Over the course of his career he has gained extensive experience in India, 
China and the Far East generally. Qualifications: LIC.OEC.HSG

External appointments: Member of the board of Bucher Industries AG, 
a mechanical and vehicle engineering company based in Switzerland; 
member of the advisory board of China Renaissance Capital Investment 
Inc., a private equity investment company in Hong Kong, China.

Skills and experience: Bill is founder and General Partner of Alta 
Communications and Marion Equity Partners LLC, Massachusetts-based 
venture capital firms. He is past Chairman of Cephalon Inc., and past 
President and Chairman of the National Venture Capital Association.  
Qualifications: BA, MBA.

External appointments: Director of the Irish venture capital company 
Delta Partners Limited; serves on the boards of several communications, 
cable and information technology companies.

Skills and experience: Utz-Hellmuth was, until May 2011, Chairman 
of the Supervisory Board of Süd-Chemie Aktiengesellschaft. He was 
also Chief Executive of Degussa AG, Germany’s third largest chemical 
company, until May 2006.

External appointments: Partner in the private equity group One Equity 
Partners Europe GmbH; Chairman of the Supervisory board of German 
rail company Deutsche Bahn AG; director of Jungbunzlauer Holding AG.  

Skills and experience: Jan Maarten is a member of the Supervisory Board 
of Heineken N.V. He is a former member of the Managing Board of ABN 
Amro Bank N.V. and following his retirement he continued to be a Special 
Advisor to the board of that company until April 2006.

External appointments: Director of a number of European banking, 
insurance and industrial holding companies, including AON Groep 
Nederland B.V. and Nutreco N.V.  

Skills and experience: John is past Chairman of Wellstream Holdings 
plc. In a 40-year career, he has served as Executive Vice President 
of Halliburton Company, President of Dresser Enterprises and Chief 
Operations Officer of Brown and Root Services. He is a past director  
of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Integra Group.
Qualifications: M.Sc, BE, C.Eng, FIEE.

External appointments: Non-executive Chairman of Lamprell plc; 
director of Maxwell Drummond International Limited, Hydrasun 
Holdings Limited, Welltec A/S and BiFold Group Limited.

Don McGovern
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: July 2013
Nationality: United States
Age: 62

Committee membership: Audit Committee 
(Financial expert)

Heather Ann McSharry
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board:  February 2012
Nationality:  Irish
Age: 52

Committee membership: Audit Committee 

Dan O’Connor
Non-executive Director*

Appointed to the Board: June 2006
Nationality: Irish
Age: 54

Committee membership: Audit Committee 
(Financial expert); Nomination and  
Corporate Governance Committee; 
Remuneration Committee

Henk Rottinghuis
Non-executive Director

Appointed to the Board: February 2014
Nationality: Dutch
Age: 58

Committee membership: Not applicable

Skills and experience: Don was Vice Chairman, Global Assurance at 
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), from 2008 until June 2013. He retired 
from PwC in June 2013 following a 39 year career with the firm, during 
which time he directed the US firm’s services for a number of large public 
company clients. He has held various leadership roles in PwC and was, 
from July 2001 to June 2008, a member of, and past lead director for, the 
Board of Partners and Principals of the US firm as well as a member of 
PwC’s Global Board. Qualifications: CPA, MBA. 

Skills and experience: Heather Ann is a former Managing Director 
Ireland of Reckitt Benckiser and Boots Healthcare and was previously  
a non-executive director of Bank of Ireland plc.  
Qualifications: BComm, MBS.

External appointments: Non-executive director of Greencore Group plc 
and Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc; Chairman of the Bank of Ireland Pension 
Fund Trustees Board; director of Ergonomics Solutions International, 
IDA Ireland and the Institute of Directors.

Skills and experience: Dan is a former President and Chief Executive 
Officer of GE Consumer Finance - Europe and a former Senior Vice-
President of GE. He was Executive Chairman of Allied Irish Banks, plc 
until October 2010. Qualifications: BComm, FCA.

* Dan O’Connor is Senior Independent Director 

Skills and experience: Henk has a background in distribution, wholesale 
and logistics. He was until 2010, Chief Executive Officer at Pon Holdings 
B.V., a large, privately-held international company which is focussed on 
the supply and distribution of passenger cars and trucks, and equipment 
for the construction and marine sectors. Qualifications: Master’s degree in 
Dutch Law.

External appointments: Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Stork 
Technical Services; member of the Supervisory Boards of the Royal 
Bank of Scotland N.V., and the retail groups Blokker Holding B.V. and 
Detailresult Groep. 

CRH  39

 
 
Governance

Corporate Governance Report

Contents

Page

Corporate Governance Report

40 Chairman’s Introduction

42

Listings and Corporate Governance Codes

42 Board of Directors

42

42

42

42

43

43

43

44

44

44

44

44

46

46

47

52

54

54

55

55

55

55

56

56

57

57

Responsibilities

Roles of Chairman and Chief Executive

Nicky Hartery 
Chairman

Membership

Succession and diversity

Independence 

Chairman

Senior Independent Director

Company Secretary

Terms of appointment of non-executive 
Directors

Induction, training and development

Performance appraisal and Board 
evaluation

Directors’ retirement and re-election

Board meetings

Securities dealing policies and codes

Audit Committee

Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee

Remuneration Committee

Attendance at Board/Committee meetings

Acquisitions Committee

Finance Committee

Risk Management and Internal Control

Compliance & Ethics

Sustainability and Corporate Social 
Responsibility

Substantial Holdings

Communications with Shareholders

Documents and presentations available  
on CRH website

57 General Meetings

58 Memorandum and Articles of Association

58 Going Concern

59

59

62

79

91

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Statement from Committee Chairman

Annual Statement on Remuneration

Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report

Directors’ Report

CRH plc has a secondary listing on The Irish Stock 
Exchange. For this reason, CRH plc is not subject to the 
same ongoing listing requirements as would apply to an 
Irish company with a primary listing on the Irish Stock 
Exchange. For further information, shareholders should 
consult their own financial adviser. Further details on the 
Group’s listing arrangements, including its primary listing 
on the London Stock Exchange, are set out on page 42.

40  CRH

Chairman’s Introduction

The following report outlines our 
approach to corporate governance 
and how we implement the 2012 UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the Code). 
We complied in full with the provisions 
of the Code in 2013. We also have 
procedures in place for compliance with 
our obligations under the applicable 
rules and regulations issued by the 
Securities & Exchange Commission. 

Shareholder Engagement and  
Communications
The CRH Board is committed to 
very high standards of corporate 
governance and to ensuring that CRH 
is at the forefront of best practice in 
this area. Integral to this is shareholder 
engagement, and we devote considerable 
time and resources to this area each 
year. We operate an extensive investor 
relations programme. During 2013, 
members of the senior management 
team spent a combined total of 63 days 
meeting with investors. These meetings 
covered over 50% of our shareholder 
base and focussed principally on 
operational matters, including the 
Group’s performance and strategy. To 
ensure that shareholders also had an 
opportunity to discuss governance 
matters, prior to the 2013 Annual 
General Meeting, I invited the Group’s 
major shareholders to meet with me. Dan 
O’Connor, Senior Independent Director 
and Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, and Neil Colgan, Company 
Secretary, also participated in the 
meetings. No issues of concern were 
raised during these meetings. I will again 
invite our major shareholders to discuss 
governance matters in advance of the 
2014 Annual General Meeting.  

Corporate Governance Report

Chairman’s Introduction

As outlined in the Remuneration 
Committee Chairman’s statement on 
pages 59 to 61, we also consulted 
extensively with the Group’s major 
shareholders, various shareholder 
organisations and proxy voting 
agencies on the Group’s proposed new 
remuneration structures. 

Amongst the new provisions introduced 
to the Code in September 2012, which 
were effective for CRH from 1 January 
2013, was a requirement that the 
Directors include a statement in the 
Annual Report “that they consider the 
report and accounts, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the company’s 
performance, business model and 
strategy”. I believe that, in relation to the 
Group’s shareholder communications 
and news releases, this is a standard 
against which CRH has always 
measured itself. Indeed, a consistent 
area of feedback from shareholders we 
meet through our investor relations 
programme is an appreciation for our 
straight-forward communication style. 
Nevertheless, we took the opportunity 
of this new provision of the Code to 
review with management the procedures 
for drafting and finalising the Annual 
Report. This review focussed on 
ensuring that the Annual Report would 
be fair and balanced in representing 
CRH’s strategy and performance, while 
also making sure that the Annual Report 
would be readily understandable by 
our stakeholders. As referred to in my 
introductory comments to this year’s 
Annual Report on page 3, the Company 
is in the process of a wide-ranging 

portfolio review which will impact 
on the future shape of the Group. The 
outcome of the review will no doubt 
have an impact, over time, on the way in 
which we communicate the objectives, 
strategy and performance of the Group. 
In respect of the 2013 Annual Report, 
the “fair, balanced and understandable” 
statement is included in the Directors’ 
Report on page 95. 

Board Renewal and Diversity
Following the announcement in 
February 2013 of Myles Lee’s intention 
to retire as Chief Executive and from 
the Board at the end of 2013, a major 
focus during 2013 was the succession 
process for the role of Chief Executive. 
We announced in July 2013 that Albert 
Manifold would succeed Myles with 
effect from 1 January 2014. The process 
for the appointment of the Chief 
Executive is set out in the Nomination 
and Corporate Governance Committee 
Report on page 53. In the last 12 months 
we have also welcomed two new non-
executive Directors to the Board,  
Don McGovern, a US citizen 
and former senior partner with 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Henk 
Rottinghuis, a Dutch citizen and former 
Chief Executive Officer of Pon Holdings 
B.V., a large, privately held international 
company focussed on the supply and 
distribution of passenger cars and trucks, 
and equipment for the construction and 
marine sectors. 

Ensuring that there is an appropriate 
balance of skills, knowledge and 
experience on the Board and that it 
is suitably diverse in terms of culture 
and gender is a key focus for me as 

Chairman. Our Board has for a long  
time been diverse from an international 
and business perspective and one of 
the core elements of our Board renewal 
policy is gender diversity. Currently the 
Board has two female Directors, who 
following the 2014 Annual General 
Meeting will represent 17% of the Board. 
We are focussed on increasing this 
percentage as part of our ongoing Board 
renewal process. In doing this, we need 
to continue to ensure that we appoint the 
right people with the right experience 
to fit the needs of the Company. On the 
recommendation of the Nomination and 
Corporate Governance Committee, the 
Board has expanded its policy for the 
recruitment of non-executive Directors 
by setting itself the goal of increasing the 
number of female Directors to circa 25% 
by the end of 2015. Our Board renewal 
policy is set out on pages 42 and 43. 

Conclusion
I am satisfied that CRH’s governance 
structures are appropriate for a Group of 
our size and complexity. Nevertheless, 
it is vital that these structures evolve in 
line with best practice and your Board, 
through the work of the Nomination and 
Corporate Governance Committee, keeps 
developments in this area under review. 

Nicky Hartery 
Chairman

February 2014

CRH  41

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

Listings and Corporate Governance Codes

CRH, which is incorporated in Ireland and 
subject to Irish company law, has a premium 
listing on the London Stock Exchange, a 
secondary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange 
and its American Depositary Shares are listed 
on the New York Stock Exchange.

This Report describes CRH’s governance 
principles and practice and the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems. The 
Report also sets out how CRH applies the main 
and supporting principles of the 2012 UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the Code). CRH 
also takes into account the disclosure 
requirements set out in the corporate 
governance annex to the listing rules of the 
Irish Stock Exchange. 

A copy of the Code can be obtained from the 
Financial Reporting Council’s website,  
www.frc.org.uk.

Board of Directors 

What are the responsibilities  
of the Board?

The Board is responsible for the leadership, 
oversight, control, development and 
long-term success of the Group. It is also 
responsible for instilling the appropriate 
culture, values and behaviour throughout 
the organisation.

There is a formal schedule of matters reserved to 
the Board for consideration and decision. This 
includes appointment of Directors, approval of 
the Annual Report, the Interim Results, the 
annual budget, major acquisitions, the issuance 
of guarantees, significant capital expenditure and 
the strategic plans for the Group. The Group’s 
strategy, which is regularly reviewed by the 
Board, and its business model are summarised in 
the Strategy Review on pages 7 to 17.

The Board has delegated some of its 
responsibilities to Committees of the Board. 
The work of each Committee is set out on pages 
47 to 55 of this Report. While responsibility for 
monitoring the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems has 
been delegated to the Audit Committee*, the 
Board retains ultimate responsibility for 
determining the Group’s “risk tolerance” and 
annually considers a report in relation to the 
monitoring, controlling and reporting of 
identified risks and uncertainties. In addition, 
the Board receives regular reports from the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee in relation to 
the work of that Committee in the area of risk 
management. 

Individual Directors may seek independent 
professional advice, at the expense of the 
Company, in the furtherance of their duties  
as a Director. 

The Group has a Directors’ and Officers’ 
Liability insurance policy in place. 

How do the roles of the Chairman  
and Chief Executive differ?

It has been CRH’s practice since the 
formation of the Group in the 1970s that the 
roles of Chairman and Chief Executive are 
not combined.

The Board has delegated responsibility for the 
management of the Group, through the Chief 
Executive, to executive management. There is a 
clear division of responsibilities between the 
roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive 
which is set out in writing and has been 
approved by the Board. A summary of the 
respective roles is set out in the table to the right.

What is the membership structure  
of the Board?

It is CRH’s practice that a majority of the 
Board comprises non-executive Directors.

At present, there are three executive and ten 
non-executive Directors. Biographical details 
are set out on pages 37 to 39. Non-executive 
Directors are expected to challenge 
management proposals constructively and to 
examine and review management performance 
in meeting agreed objectives and targets. In 
addition, they are expected to draw on their 
experience and knowledge in respect of any 
challenges facing the Group and in relation to 
the development of proposals on strategy.

We consider the current size and composition 
of the Board to be within a range which is 
appropriate. We also believe that the current 
size of the Board is sufficiently large to enable 
its Committees to operate without undue 
reliance on individual non-executive Directors, 
while being dynamic and responsive to the 
needs of the Group. The spread of nationalities 
of the Directors reflects the geographical reach 
of the Group and we consider that the Board as 
a whole has the appropriate blend of skills, 
knowledge and experience, from a wide range 
of industries, regions and backgrounds, 
necessary to lead the Group. 

None of the executive Directors is a non-
executive director of another listed company.

Responsibilities of Chairman and Chief 
Executive

Chairman is responsible for

The efficient and effective working of the Board

Ensuring that Board agendas cover the key 
strategic issues confronting the Group, that the 
Board reviews and approves management’s 
plans for the Group and that the Directors 
receive accurate, timely, clear and relevant 
information

Making certain that the Board applies 
sufficient challenge to management 
proposals and examines and reviews 
management performance in meeting agreed 
objectives and targets

Overseeing the search for new Board members

Chief Executive is responsible for

Full day-to-day operational and profit 
performance of the Group and is accountable 
to the Board for all authority delegated to 
executive management

Executing strategy agreed with the Board and 
reporting regularly on the progress and 
performance of the Group 

Co-ordinating and overseeing the profitable 
growth of the Group’s diverse portfolio of 
international businesses

Maximising the contribution of senior 
management to business planning, 
operational control and profit performance

The current membership structure of the board 
set out in the table on page 43. 

How does the Board plan for 
succession and what is its policy on 
diversity?

The Board plans for its own succession with 
the assistance of the Nomination and 
Corporate Governance Committee.

For non-executive appointments, independent 
consultants are engaged to search for suitable 
candidates. The process to identify, evaluate 
and appoint a non-executive Director with the 
suitable experience, skills and time 
commitment takes into account both the needs 
of CRH and the tenure and skills of existing 
Board members. As a result, the renewal and 

* 

In accordance with Regulation 91(6)(b) of the European Communities (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43) Regulations 2010.

42  CRH

Corporate Governance Report | continued

Membership of the CRH Board

Independence 
(determined by CRH Board annually)

Tenure of non-executive Directors 
(excluding Chairman)

23%

77%

11%

33%

45%

11%

Independent

Non-independent

Years on CRH Board:

0-3 years

3-6 years

6-9 years

9+ years

Gender Diversity

Geographical Spread (by residency)

15%*

85%

23%

8%

38%

31%

Male

Female

Ireland

Mainland Europe

UK

US

*  17% following the 2014 Annual General Meeting

What criteria are used to determine 
the independence of non-executive 
Directors?

The Board considers the principles relating 
to independence contained in the Code, 
together with the guidance provided by a 
number of shareholder voting agencies, and 
takes into account a Director’s character, 
objectivity and integrity.

The independence of non-executive Board 
members is considered annually. The Board is 
assisted in this by the annual review carried 
out by the Senior Independent Director which 
addresses the independence of the individual 
members of the Board (see Performance 
appraisal and Board evaluation section on 
page 44), and by the work of the Nomination 
and Corporate Governance Committee, which 
annually reviews each Board member’s 
directorships, and considers any relevant 
business relationships between Board 
members. We have concluded that all of the 
non-executive Directors bring independent 
judgement to bear on issues of strategy, 
performance, resources, key appointments and 
standards, and have determined that each of 
the non-executive Directors is independent. 

When was the Chairman appointed 
and does he have non-CRH 
commitments?

There have been no changes in the non-CRH 
commitments of Nicky Hartery since his 
appointment as Chairman.

refreshment of non-executive Directors is a 
continuous process. 

The non-executive Directors meet regularly 
with the Chief Executive to discuss senior 
management succession planning to ensure 
appropriate talent management structures are 
in place to provide a pool of potential 
candidates for key executive Director 
appointments. External consultants are 
engaged for executive Director recruitment if, 
and when, required. In line with evolving best 
practice, during 2013 independent consultants 
were engaged to identify potential external 
candidates for consideration during the 
process to appoint a successor to Myles Lee as 
Chief Executive (see page 53 for more details 
on the Chief Executive succession process).

We are committed to ensuring that the Board 
is sufficiently diverse and appropriately 
balanced. In its work in the area of Board 

renewal, the Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee looks at the following 
four criteria when considering non-executive 
Director candidates: 

 – international business experience, 

particularly in the regions in which the 
Group operates or in which it intends to 
expand; 

Nicky Hartery was appointed Chairman of the 
Group in 2012. On his appointment as 
Chairman, he met the independence criteria set 
out in the Code. Although he holds a number of 
other directorships (see details on page 37), the 
Board considers that these do not interfere with 
the discharge of his duties to CRH.

 – skills, knowledge and expertise in areas 
relevant to the operation of the Board; 

Who is the Senior Independent 
Director?

 – diversity, including nationality and gender; 

and 

 – the need for an appropriately sized Board. 

During the ongoing process of Board renewal, 
each, or a combination, of these factors can 
take priority. However, the Board has set itself 
the target of increasing the percentage of 
female Board members to circa 25% by the 
end of 2015.

The Senior Independent Director is available 
to shareholders who have concerns that 
cannot be addressed through the Chairman, 
Chief Executive or Finance Director.

Dan O’Connor was appointed as Senior 
Independent Director in 2012.

CRH  43

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

Who is the Company Secretary?

All Directors have access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary, Neil 
Colgan, who is responsible to the Board for 
ensuring that Board procedures are 
complied with.

Neil was appointed Company Secretary in June 
2009. The appointment and removal of the 
Company Secretary is a matter for the Board.  

For what period are non-executive 
Directors appointed?

Non-executive Directors are typically 
expected to serve two three-year terms, 
although they may be invited to serve for 
further periods.

The standard terms of the letter of appointment 
for non-executive Directors, which states that 
they are generally expected to serve two terms 
of three years, are available for inspection at 
the Company’s registered office and at the 
Annual General Meeting. A non-executive 
Director’s term of office is subject to his annual 
re-election by shareholders and their letter of 
appointment does not provide for any 
compensation for loss of office.

How are the induction, training  
and development needs of  
Directors catered for?

The Chairman agrees a tailored and 
comprehensive induction programme with 
each new Director.

New Directors are provided with extensive 
briefing materials on the Group and its 
operations, the procedures relating to the Board 
and its Committees and their duties and 
responsibilities as Directors under legislation 
and regulations that apply to the Company. 

A typical induction programme, which 
generally takes place over the first year of a 
Director’s appointment, would cover the topics 
set out in the upper table on page 45. 

Sessions are held periodically with the 
Chairman at which progress is reviewed and 
feedback is sought. 

For newly-appointed members of the Audit 
Committee, training arrangements include the 
topics set out in the lower table on page 45.

44  CRH

Members of the Audit Committee receive 
periodic updates on accounting developments.

Directors can also avail of opportunities to hear 
the views of, and meet with, the Group’s 
shareholders. Directors regularly receive copies 
of research and analysis conducted on CRH and 
the building materials sector. The Board 
receives regular updates from the external 
auditors in relation to regulatory and 
accounting developments. Updates in relation 
to other relevant matters, for example, changes 
in company law, are provided from time  
to time.

What processes are in place for 
appraising the performance of 
Directors and for evaluating the 
effectiveness of the Board and its 
Committees?

An annual review of individual Directors’ 
performance is conducted by the Chairman 
and each Director is provided with feedback 
gathered from other members of the Board.

The performance of individual Directors is 
assessed against a number of measures, 
including the ability of the Director to 
contribute to the development of strategy, to 
understand the major risks affecting the Group, 
to contribute to the cohesion of the Board, to 
commit the time required to fulfil the role and 
to listen to and respect the views of other 
Directors and the management team. As part of 
that review process the Chairman discusses 
with each individual their training and 
development needs and, where appropriate, 
agrees suitable arrangements to be put in place 
to address those needs.

Each year, the Senior Independent Director 
conducts an annual review of corporate 
governance, the balance of skills, experience, 
independence and knowledge of the Company 
on the Board, the operation and performance of 
the Board and its Committees and the 
effectiveness of Board communications. This is 
achieved through discussion in one-to-one 
sessions with each Director, aided by the 
completion by each Director of a questionnaire 
in advance. The meetings, which cover specific 
topics and allow for free-ranging discussion, 
provide a forum for an open and frank 
discourse. The Senior Independent Director 
circulates a written report to the Board each 
year, which summarises the outcome of the 
review and sets out any recommendations from 
Board members in relation to areas where 
improvements can be made. Consideration of 
the Senior Independent Director’s report is a 
formal agenda item at a scheduled Board 
meeting each year.

Led by the Senior Independent Director, the 
non-executive Directors meet at least annually 
in the absence of the Chairman to review his 
performance.

When was the last external Board 
evaluation completed and what was  
the outcome?

The 2012 review was facilitated by  
ICSA Board Evaluation, which has  
an extensive record in facilitating 
evaluations in large listed companies  
both in Ireland and the UK.

An externally facilitated Board evaluation was 
carried out by an independent third party, ICSA 
Board Evaluation (“ICSA”) in 2012. The Board’s 
performance was rated as “very good” on a 
six-point scale, ranging from poor to excellent. 
ICSA made eight recommendations to further 
improve the effectiveness of the Board, relating 
to the following:

 – enhancing the existing processes in place 

regarding strategy reviews, outcome tracking, 
Board renewal and Director development; 

 – providing for an increased number of 

non-executive Director meetings without 
executives present; 

 – taking fuller advantage of the opportunities 

afforded by Board visits for employee 
engagement; and

 – rationalising Board documentation and 

updating Board protocols to take account of 
advances in technology and communications.

All of the recommendations arising from the 2012 
external review have been implemented. The next 
external evaluation will be conducted in 2015.

What are the requirements regarding 
the retirement and re-election of 
Directors?

All Directors retire at each Annual General 
Meeting and, unless they are stepping down 
from the Board, submit themselves to 
shareholders for re-election.

Re-appointment of Directors retiring at Annual 
General Meetings is not automatic. Directors 
who are seeking re-election are subject to a 
satisfactory performance appraisal. All 
Directors are subject to the Memorandum and 
Articles of Association of the Company (a 
summary of provisions in the Memorandum 
and Articles of Association relating to the 
Directors is set out on page 58).

Corporate Governance Report | continued

Induction Programme

Board Members

Topic

Sessions with

Group strategy and finance:

Group strategy, the current challenges facing the Group and the 
trading backdrop 

Financial reporting, trading results, acquisition models, funding 
sources/debt maturity, group treasury and credit rating metrics

Chief Executive, Finance 
Director, Head of Group 
Financial Operations,  
Group Treasurer

Divisional strategy and structure:

Divisional strategy and organisational structure

Development priorities 

IT strategy

Senior management team:

Succession planning

Leadership development programmes

Remuneration trends

Directors’ legal duties and responsibilities:

Legal duties and responsibilities

Management of inside information

Dealings in CRH securities

Listing rule requirements

Chief Executive, Heads of 
Divisions, Senior Operational 
Management

Chief Executive

Finance Director, Company 
Secretary and the Group’s 
legal advisers

Compliance & ethics, health & safety, risk management, 
investor relations and remuneration:

Compliance & ethics policies and the structures in place to 
ensure ongoing compliance 

Health & safety programme, including the fatality elimination 
programme, and the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility 
policies 

Investor Relations programme and the views of the Group’s 
major investors

Enterprise Risk Management, insurance arrangements and 
captive insurance programme 

Finance Director, Head of 
Compliance & Ethics, Head of 
Investor Relations, Group 
Sustainability Manager, Group 
Strategic Financial Risk 
Manager, the Group’s 
stockbrokers and the 
Remuneration Committee’s 
remuneration advisers 

Audit Committee

Topic

External Audit

Audit planning 

Auditors’ responsibilities

Internal Audit

Strategy and workplan 

IT audit

Sessions with

Finance Director, Senior 
Finance Executives,  
Head of Internal Audit  
and external auditors

CRH  45

 
 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

 How often does the Board meet?

Details of the number of Board and 
Committee meetings during 2013, and of 
Directors’ attendance at those meetings, is 
set out in the table on page 54.

There were eight full meetings of the Board 
during 2013. 

Each year, additional meetings, to consider 
specific matters, are held when and if required. 
Prior to their appointment, potential non-
executive Directors are made aware of the 
calendar of meetings and are asked to confirm 
that they are able to allocate sufficient time to 
meet the expectations of their role. The 
agreement of the Chairman is required before a 
non-executive Director accepts additional 
commitments that might impact adversely on 
the time he or she is able to devote to CRH. 

The Board typically makes two visits each year 
to Board operations; one in Europe and one in 
North America. Each visit lasts between three 
and five days and incorporates a scheduled 
Board meeting. In 2013, these visits were to 
Ukraine, and to Georgia in the United States.

How are Board agendas determined?

The Chairman sets the agenda for each 
meeting in consultation with the Chief 
Executive and Company Secretary.

In setting the agendas, the Chairman ensures 
that sufficient time is allocated to strategy 
setting and review, performance monitoring, 
portfolio management, including acquisitions 
and divestments, succession planning and 
talent management. Board agendas typically 
cover items set out in the table above.    

The non-executive Directors generally meet 
before or after each Board meeting without 
executives being present.

The papers for meetings are generally 
circulated electronically in the week prior to 
the meeting.

Typical Board Agenda Items 

Recurring items on each agenda:

 – Minutes

 – Board matters (including Board 

Committee updates)

 – Trading results and cost saving initiatives

 – Acquisitions/Disposals/Capital  

Expenditure Projects

Periodic agenda items during the year:

 – Full-year/interim financial results and 

reports

 – Investor interaction and feedback

 – Group budget

 –  Group strategy and Divisional strategy 

updates

 –  Performance review of acquisitions 
against the original Board proposal 
following three years of Group ownership

 –  Funding proposals

 –  Human resources and succession 

planning

 –  Risk management & internal controls

 –  Compliance & Ethics

 –  Health & Safety review, with a particular 
focus on the Group’s fatality elimination 
programme

 –  Environmental review

Are the Directors subject to securities 
dealing policies or codes?

Directors are required to obtain clearance 
from the Chairman and Chief Executive 
before dealing in CRH securities.

Details of the CRH shares held by Directors are 
set out on page 74. CRH has a policy on 
dealings in securities that applies to all 
Directors and senior management. Directors 
and senior management are prohibited from 

dealing in CRH securities during designated 
prohibited periods and at any time at which the 
individual is in possession of inside 
information (as defined in the Market Abuse 
(Directive 2003/6/EC) Regulations 2005). The 
policy adopts the terms of the Model Code, as 
set out in the Listing Rules published by the 
UK Listing Authority subject to amendments in 
relation to Irish company law and taxation 
references.

What are the Committees of  
the Board?

The Board has established five permanent 
Committees to assist in the execution of its 
responsibilities.

The current permanent Committees of the 
Board are the Acquisitions Committee, the 
Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the 
Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee and the Remuneration Committee. 
In addition, ad-hoc committees are formed 
from time to time to deal with specific matters. 
Each of the permanent Committees has Terms 
of Reference, under which authority is 
delegated to them by the Board. The Chairman 
of each Committee reports to the Board on its 
deliberations and minutes of all Committee 
meetings are circulated to all Directors.

The current membership of each Committee 
and each member’s length of service is set out 
in the relevant sections in the remainder of this 
report. Attendance at meetings held in 2013 is 
set out in a table on page 54.

Chairmen of the Committees attend the Annual 
General Meeting and are available to answer 
questions from shareholders.

46  CRH

The Audit Committee consists of four 
non-executive Directors. The 
biographical details of each member are 
set out on pages 38 and 39.

The primary responsibilities of the 
Committee are to:

 –  monitor the financial reporting 

process, the integrity of the financial 
statements, including the Annual and 
Interim Reports, preliminary results 
announcements, interim management 
statements and any other formal 
announcement relating to the financial 
performance of the Company, and to 
review significant financial reporting 
issues and judgements exercised in 
the preparation thereof;

 –  monitor the audit of the financial 

statements;

 –  keep under review the effectiveness 
of the Company’s internal financial 
controls and the internal control 
and risk management systems and 
review and approve statements to 
be included in the Annual Report 
regarding internal control and risk 
management;

 –  review the Company’s arrangements 
for its employees to raise concerns, 
in confidence, about possible 
wrongdoing in financial reporting 
or other matters and review the 
Company’s procedures and systems 
for detecting fraud and preventing 
bribery;

 –  keep under review the adequacy of 
the Group’s Compliance & Ethics 
function;

 –  monitor and review the effectiveness 

of the Internal Audit function;

 –  review the effectiveness of the audit 
process and the independence and 
objectivity of the external auditors;

 –  develop and monitor the policy on 

non-audit services to be provided by 
the external auditors;

 –  approve the remuneration and 

terms of engagement of the external 
auditors; 

 –  make recommendations to the Board 

in relation to the appointment or 
removal of the external auditor.

The responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee are set out in full in its Terms 
of Reference, which are available on the 
CRH website, www.crh.com.

Audit Committee

Ernst Bärtschi 
Chairman of Audit Committee
Audit Committee Financial Expert

Chairman’s overview

Donald A. McGovern, Jr. 
Audit Committee Financial Expert

Heather Ann McSharry

Dan O’Connor
Audit Committee Financial Expert

I succeeded Jan Maarten de Jong as Chairman 
of the Committee in September 2013. On behalf 
of the Committee, I would like to express my 
appreciation to Jan Maarten for his significant 
contribution to the work of the Committee, 
both as a member since 2004 and as Chairman 
between May 2007 and August 2013. 

On a number of occasions during 2013, 
beginning in July, the Committee met with 
Ernst & Young to agree and monitor the 
progress of the 2013 audit. The following risks 
were identified as being a key focus:

 – Impairment of goodwill;

 – Impairment of property, plant and 
equipment, and financial assets;

 – Accounting for acquisitions and disposals; 

and

 – Contract revenue recognition. 

The potential for impairment was highlighted 
in the 2013 Interim Results announcement in 
August due to the continuing difficulties in 
the Group’s European markets. Subsequently, 
as announced in the November Interim 
Management Statement, a Group-wide 
portfolio review was initiated by the Board to 
identify those businesses which offer the most 
attractive future returns and to prioritise capital 
allocation. The Statement indicated that the 
review would likely result in the disposal of 
some non-core businesses which, coupled with 
the continuing difficult environment in Europe, 
could give rise to impairment charges in 2013. 
This issue, therefore, became a key area of 
focus for the Committee in its discussions with 
management and Ernst & Young on the 2013 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the 
related audit. 

Impairment
As outlined in note 3 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements, a total non-cash 
impairment charge of €755 million was 
recorded in the financial statements in respect 
of the year ended 31 December 2013, of which 
€373 million related to goodwill. While the 
continuing economic difficulties in Europe gave 

CRH  47

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

rise to some impairment, the main driver 
of the charge in 2013 was the outcome of 
the initial phase of the Group’s portfolio 
review, which identified a number of 
non-core businesses which no longer 
meet CRH’s long-term returns criteria 
and which are now candidates for 
disposal. An orderly disposal process is 
underway.

For the purposes of its annual 
impairment testing process, the Group 
assesses the recoverable amount of each 
of CRH’s cash-generating units (CGUs – 
see details in note 15 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements), based on a 
value-in-use computation. In addition, 
the Group annually assesses the need for 
impairment of other non-current assets 
(property, plant and equipment and 
financial assets). 

The Committee met on a number of 
occasions in late 2013 and early 2014 
and considered a number of issues, 
including:

 – the impact the changing economic 

circumstances had on the assumptions 
used in the impairment models used 
by management; and

 – the processes used by management 
to ascertain the value of non-core 
businesses that management believed 
the Board should consider exiting and 
the levels of impairment where that 
value was less than the carrying value 
of these businesses.

In 2013, the annual impairment review 
resulted in total impairment charges 
of €72 million in respect of businesses 
which have been identified as core 
businesses for the Group going forward. 
Of this total, €58 million related to 
our Benelux CGU in Europe Materials, 
which has experienced a difficult trading 
environment and has formed part of the 
Group’s goodwill sensitivity disclosures 
for a number of years. The continuing 

difficult environment, coupled with the 
impact of strong competition and the 
expectation of a slower than previously 
anticipated sales recovery, resulted in a 
significant reduction in the recoverable 
amount of this CGU at year-end 2013 
compared with prior years.

The portfolio review which I referred 
to above resulted in the identification 
of 45 non-core business units which are 
in line for divestment. For each of these 
businesses, a valuation was prepared 
based on the estimated fair value less 
costs of disposal. The valuations were 
then compared to the carrying value of 
each business, resulting in an additional 
total impairment charge of €683 million. 
Although the review is ongoing, the 
impairment exercise is complete and, 
in the light of current conditions and 
outlook, management does not anticipate 
further impairment to arise as the review 
continues.

Following its deliberations, the 
Committee was satisfied that the 
assumptions and models used by 
management were appropriate.

Accounting for Acquisitions and 
Disposals
Total acquisition consideration in  
2013 for the Group amounted to  
€720 million while the gross proceeds of 
disposals amounted to €283 million. The 
Committee discussed with management 
and Ernst & Young the accounting 
treatment for newly acquired businesses 
and recently disposed entities and was 
satisfied that the treatment in 2013 was 
appropriate. 

Contract Revenue Recognition
IAS 11 requires revenue and expenses to 
be recognised on uncompleted contracts, 
with the underlying principle that, once 
the outcome of a long-term construction 
contract can be reliably estimated, 
revenue and expenses associated with 

that contract should be recognised by 
reference to the stage of completion of 
the contract activity at the balance sheet 
date. If it is anticipated that the contract 
will be loss-making, the expected 
loss must be recognised immediately. 
Following discussions with management 
and Ernst & Young, the Committee 
was satisfied that contract revenue 
recognition was not a material issue 
for the Group in 2013 as the majority 
of contracts were completed within the 
financial year.

In addition to the above significant 
issues, the Committee also gave 
particular emphasis to the following 
matters in its work during 2013:

Group Pension Liabilities
During 2013, the Committee continued 
to review, with the help of external 
pensions experts, the plans and 
initiatives in place to mitigate the 
Group’s pension scheme liabilities. 

Cyber Security
During the year, the Committee 
received and considered reports from 
management and Ernst & Young in 
relation to the Group’s readiness in 
terms of cyber security. 

IT Implementation Projects
The Committee reviewed with 
management the status of a number of 
ongoing IT implementation projects in 
Europe.

Assessment of Ernst & Young
The Committee’s primary means of 
assessing the effectiveness of the 
external audit process is by monitoring 
performance against the agreed audit 
plan. In addition, each year the 
Committee considers (i) the experience 
and knowledge of the Ernst & Young 
audit team; (ii) the results of post-audit 
interviews with management and the 
Audit Committee Chairman; (iii) the 
transparency reports issued under EU 

48  CRH

Corporate Governance Report | continued

regulations by Ernst & Young Ireland; 
and (iv) where applicable, relevant 
reports by regulatory bodies on the 
performance of Ernst & Young.

Management also undertakes periodic 
reviews of the effectiveness of the 
external auditors (the last such review 
was conducted in 2009). 

Audit Tendering/Rotation
Ernst & Young have been the Group’s 
auditors since 1988. In last year’s Audit 
Committee Report, Jan Maarten de 
Jong outlined new requirements of the 
Code regarding audit tendering and the 
transitional arrangements put forward 
by the Financial Reporting Council in 
terms of the timing of any audit tender. 
In summary, implementing the Code 
provisions and following the transitional 
arrangements would mean that the 
Company would need to put the CRH 
audit out to tender by the end of the 
2015 audit. In the interests of fairness 
and competition, we believe it would 
not be appropriate to exclude Ernst & 
Young from any tender process. Since 
the publication of last year’s Annual 
Report, provisional agreement has been 
reached on draft EU regulations (the 
“Regulations”) on the reform of the 
audit sector. The Regulations, which 
are expected to be finalised during the 
first half of 2014, include a requirement 
for mandatory auditor rotation. In other 
words, the Regulations, in their current 
form, would prevent Ernst & Young 
from participating in an audit tender 
process. If implemented, the Regulations 
would also effectively override 
the requirements of the Code. The 
Committee has, therefore, concluded  
that a decision on the timeframe for 
putting the audit to tender should 
be deferred until the Regulations are 
finalised. 

There are no contractual obligations 
which act to restrict the Committee’s 

choice of external auditor. The 
Committee has considered the risk of 
withdrawal by Ernst & Young from 
the market and the potential impact 
on the Group, were that eventuality to 
materialise.

Advisory Vote at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting on the continuance of 
Ernst & Young as external auditors
Under Irish company law, the 
incumbent auditor is automatically 
re-appointed at a company’s annual 
general meeting unless he has indicated 
his unwillingness to continue in office 
or a resolution is passed appointing 
someone else or expressly providing 
that he shall not be re-appointed. In 
this respect, Irish company law differs 
from the requirements that apply in 
other jurisdictions, for example in 
the UK, where auditors must be re-
appointed annually by shareholders. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of 
Irish company law, the Committee 
recommended to the Board that 
shareholders should be provided with 
an opportunity to have a say on the 
continuance in office of Ernst & Young. 
Accordingly, in addition to the usual 
resolution to authorise the Directors 
to set the remuneration of the auditors 
required under Irish company law, the 
agenda for the 2014 Annual General 
Meeting will contain a non-binding vote 
on the continuance of Ernst & Young in 
office as auditors. 

Further details in relation to the external 
auditors, including information on how 
auditor objectivity and independence are 
maintained, are included on page 50.

Ernst Bärtschi 
Audit Committee Chairman

February 2014

CRH  49

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

Audit Committee Members
The biographies of the members of the Audit 
Committee are set out on pages 38 and 39.

senior IT Audit Manager to discuss IT Audit 
strategy, the key areas of focus and agrees the 
annual IT Audit workplan. 

Audit Committee’s time allocation - 
2013/2014

The tenure of each Committee member is as 
follows:

E.J. Bärtschi, Chairman

H.A. McSharry

D.A. McGovern, Jr.

D.N. O’Connor

2.0 years

2.0 years

0.5 years

0.5 years

Mr. O’Connor previously served on the 
Committee between June 2006 and May 2012.

Mr. Bärtschi, Mr. McGovern and Mr. O’Connor 
have been designated by the Board as the 
Committee’s Financial Experts.

Work of Committee in period between February 
2013 and February 2014
Between February 2013 and February 2014 
the Audit Committee met 12 times. The chart 
opposite sets out how the Audit Committee 
allocated its time in the last 12 months. A 
typical calendar of meetings, which includes 
a general outline of the main agenda items, is 
also set out on page 51. The Finance Director 
and the Head of Internal Audit generally 
attend Committee meetings. The external 
auditors, Ernst & Young, attend the majority 
of meetings and have direct access to the 
Chairman of the Committee at all times. 
Other attendees are noted against the relevant 
agenda item. During 2013, the Committee 
met with the Head of Internal Audit, and 
separately with the external auditors, in the 
absence of management.

The Chairman of the Committee formally 
reported to the Board in February 2014 
on how the Committee discharged its 
responsibilities in respect of the financial year 
ended 31 December 2013. 

The Committee reviewed its Terms of 
Reference in December 2013 and proposed 
some minor updating amendments, which the 
Board approved.

Internal Audit
The Head of Internal Audit attends the 
majority of the meetings of the Audit 
Committee. The Committee agrees the Internal 
Audit strategy, its charter and the annual 
workplan, which is developed on a risk-based 
approach. The Head of Internal Audit reports 
to the Audit Committee on the findings of 
internal audit reviews and related follow-
ups and the outcome of control testing in 
connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act 2002.

In recent years, there has been a significant 
increase in the resources allocated to IT Audit. 
The Committee meets regularly with the 

50  CRH

Assessments of the Internal Audit function 
are carried out periodically by management 
and validated by an independent third 
party assessor. The next assessment of the 
Internal Audit function is scheduled to take 
place during 2014. The last assessment was 
conducted in late-2009. 

Risk Management and Internal Control
The Board has delegated responsibility for 
monitoring the effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management and internal control systems 
to the Audit Committee. Further details in 
relation to the Committee’s work in this area 
are set out in the section on Risk Management 
and Internal Control on page 55.

Independence of External Auditors
The Audit Committee has put in place safeguards 
to ensure that the independence of the audit is 
not compromised. Such safeguards include: 

 – seeking confirmation from the external 

auditors that they are, in their professional 
judgement, independent from the Group; 

 – obtaining from the external auditors an 
account of all relationships between the 
auditors and the Group; 

 – monitoring the Group’s policy prohibiting 

the employment of former staff of the 
external auditors, who were part of the CRH 
audit team, in senior management positions 
until two years have elapsed since the 
completion of the audit;

 – monitoring the number of former employees 
of the external auditors currently employed 
in senior positions in the Group and 
assessing whether those appointments 
impair, or appear to impair, the auditors’ 
judgement or independence; 

 – considering whether, taken as a whole, the 
various relationships between the Group 
and the external auditors impair, or appear 
to impair, the auditors’ judgement or 
independence; 

4%

1%

14%

20%

21%

24%

16%

Impairment

Financial reporting/results 
announcements/audit results

External audit: planning; independence; 
management letters

Internal Audit/IT/control environment

Internal Control & Risk Management  
/ERM/pensions

Compliance & Ethics/governance 
developement

Review of Committee’s performance

Group to the external auditors and assessing 
whether that importance impairs, or appears 
to impair, the external auditors’ judgement 
or independence.

The Group external audit engagement partner 
is replaced every five years and other senior 
audit staff are rotated every seven years.

The Group has a policy governing the conduct 
of non-audit work by the auditors. The policy, 
which was updated in 2012, is available 
on the CRH website. Under the policy, 
the external auditors are prohibited from 
performing services where they:

 – may be required to audit their own work; 

 – participate in activities that would normally 

 – reviewing the economic importance of the 

be undertaken by management; 

Percentage of Audit and Non-audit Fees (see note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

2013

2012

2011

2010

85%

81%

81%

78%

15%

19%

19%

22%

0%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Audited services

Non-audited related services

Corporate Governance Report | continued

 – are remunerated through a ‘success fee’ 

structure; or

Typical Audit Committee Calendar

 – act in an advocacy role for the Group. 

Meeting

Activity

Other than the above, the Group does not 
impose an automatic ban on the external 
auditors undertaking non-audit work. The 
external auditors are permitted to provide 
non-audit services that are not, or are not 
perceived to be, in conflict with auditor 
independence, provided they have the skill 
and competence to carry out the work and are 
considered by the Committee to be the most 
appropriate party to undertake such work in 
the best interests of the Group. 

The engagement of the external auditors to 
provide any non-audit services must be pre-
approved by the Audit Committee or entered 
into pursuant to pre-approval policies and 
procedures established by the Committee. The 
pre-approval policy specifies the services that 
are prohibited and the services which have 
general pre-approval. The Committee has 
delegated to the Finance Director responsibility 
for confirming whether a service, which has 
general pre-approval, can be provided by Ernst 
& Young. In addition, Internal Audit reviews 
the pre-approval process to ensure that it is 
robust in addressing the requirements of the 
PCAOB and does not impinge on Ernst & 
Young’s independence. The Finance Director 
reports regularly to the Committee on services 
which have been approved.

In 2013, the external auditors provided a 
number of audit-related services, including 
Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 attestation, and 
non-audit services, including due diligence 
services associated with proposed acquisitions 
and disposals. Ernst & Young were also engaged 
during 2013 in a number of jurisdictions in 
which the Group operates to provide help 
with local tax compliance, advice on taxation 
laws and other related matters; assignments 
which typically involve relatively small fees. 
The Audit Committee is satisfied that the 
external auditors’ knowledge of the Group 
was an important factor in choosing them to 
provide these services. The Committee is also 
satisfied that the fees paid to Ernst & Young 
for non-audit work, which amounted to 15% 
of the total fee in 2013, did not compromise 
their independence or integrity. Details of the 
amounts paid to the external auditors during 
the year for audit and other services are set 
out in note 4 to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements on page 114.

Attendees by invitation
(in addition to the Finance 
Director and the Head of 
Internal Audit)

February 

 – Consideration of the financial statements 

Chief Executive  

(including report from the external auditors on 
Integrated Audit Results and Communications)

 – Approval of external audit fee

 – Internal Audit review of savings announced under 

the Group’s cost-reduction programme 

 – Annual assessment of risk management and 

internal control systems 

 – Approval of Internal Audit workplan 

 – Review of reports on the operation of the CRH 
Code of Business Conduct, the Competition/
Anti-trust Compliance Code and the arrangements 
in place to enable employees to raise concerns, in 
confidence, in relation to possible wrongdoing in 
financial reporting or other matters

Group Strategic Financial  
Risk Manager

Head of Compliance & Ethics

March

 – Review of Annual Report on Form 20-F

Senior finance personnel

May

 – Review of interim management statement 1

Group Chairman,  
Chief Executive

July

 – Preliminary consideration of interim results

Chief Executive

 – Approval of the external audit plan 

 – Updates on accounting and auditing  

developments

 – Update on Internal Audit work/activities

 – Enterprise Risk Management review 

August

 – Review of interim results announcement

Group Strategic Financial  
Risk Manager

Group Chairman,  
Chief Executive

September

 – Meeting with senior finance personnel from the 

Senior finance personnel

Americas Divisions 

 – Preliminary review of goodwill impairment and 

sensitivity analysis

October

 – Meeting with senior finance personnel from the 

Senior finance personnel

European Divisions 

 – Preliminary review of interim management statement

November

 – Review of interim management statement1

Group Chairman,  
Chief Executive

December

 – Review of outcome of goodwill impairment and 

Senior finance personnel

sensitivity analysis 

 – Update on Internal Audit work/activities 

 – Approval of non-audit fees provided by external 

auditors 

 – Review of the Committee’s performance and  

Terms of Reference

 – Enterprise Risk Management review

Group Strategic Financial  
Risk Manager

 ¹ A Committee of the Group Chairman, Audit Committee Chairman, Chief Executive and Finance Director is 

authorised from time to time to review and approve the release of interim management statements

CRH  51

 
 
 
 
 
 
Nicky Hartery

Chairman of Nomination  
and Corporate Governance 
Committee

Bill Egan

John Kennedy

Dan O’Connor

The Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee consists of four 
non-executive Directors. 

The primary responsibilities of the 
Committee are:

 –  regularly reviewing the size, 

structure and composition (including 
skills, knowledge, experience and 
diversity) of the Board and making 
recommendations to the Board 
regarding any changes;

 –  giving consideration to succession 
planning for Directors and senior 
executives;

 –  identifying and recommending 

candidates to fill Board vacancies;

 –  in respect of the appointment of a 

chairman, preparing a job specification 
including the time commitment 
expected;

 –  keeping under review the leadership 

needs of the organisation;

 –  approving the Terms of Reference for 

external board evaluations;

 –  keeping under review corporate 

governance developments with the 
aim of ensuring that CRH’s governance 
policies and practices continue to be in 
line with best practice;

 –  ensuring that the principles and 

provisions set out in the Code (and any 
other governance code that applies to 
the Company) are observed; and

 –  reviewing the disclosures and 

statements made in the Corporate 
Governance Report to shareholders.

The responsibilities of the Nomination and 
Corporate Governance Committee are set 
out in full in its Terms of Reference, which 
are available on the CRH website,  
www.crh.com.

52  CRH

Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee

Chairman’s overview

During 2013, the members of the 
Committee, together with Jan Maarten 
de Jong (then Chairman of the Audit 
Committee), were appointed by the 
Board as the Succession Committee 
to co-ordinate the process for the 
appointment of the successor to Myles 
Lee. Myles informed the Board in 
February 2013 of his intention to retire 
from the Board and as Chief Executive 
with effect from 31 December 2013. 
In line with evolving best practice, 
the Succession Committee decided 
that external and internal candidates 
should be considered. Accordingly, 
the Committee engaged the services 
of Egon Zehnder, London, to identify 
suitable candidates with the skills and 
experience to warrant consideration for 
the role. Following a comprehensive 
process, which took place over a 
number of months, the Succession 
Committee recommended to the Board 
that Albert Manifold, the Group’s Chief 
Operating Officer, be appointed as 
successor to Myles. 

During 2013, and to-date in 2014, the 
Committee identified and recommended 
to the Board that the following 
individuals be appointed as non-
executive Directors:

 – Don McGovern, appointed with effect 

from 1 July 2013; and

 – Henk Rottinghuis, appointed on  

18 February 2014.

Biographies for Don and Henk are 
included on page 39. The Committee 
worked with the following recruitment 
agencies in relation to these 
appointments:

 – Board Works Limited; and 

 – Spencer Stuart.

Neither of these agencies has any other 
connection with the Company.

As set out in my introduction to the 
Corporate Governance Report, on the 
recommendation of the Committee, 
the Board has expanded the Board 
renewal policy by setting itself the goal 
of increasing the number of female 
Directors to circa 25% by the end  
of 2015.

Utz-Hellmuth Felcht was appointed 
to the Board in 2007 and completed 
his second three-year term in 
2013. Following a comprehensive 
performance review, on the 
recommendation of the Committee,  
the Board has asked Utz to continue 
on the Board for a third three-year  
term.

Audit Committee Chairman
Following the completion of Jan Maarten 
de Jong’s maximum tenure of nine years 
on the Audit Committee, the Committee 
recommended to the Board that he be 
succeeded by Ernst Bärtschi as Chairman 
of the Audit Committee. Ernst brings 
considerable experience to the Audit 

Committee and has been designated as 
one of the Committee’s financial experts 
since his appointment to the Audit 
Committee in March 2012. 

Corporate Governance Developments
During 2013, the Committee also 
considered developments in the area 
of corporate governance, including the 
recent introduction in the UK of the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report 
and Directors’ Report) Regulations 
2013 and the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 
2013 (together, the “Regulations”). 
While CRH, as an Irish incorporated 
and domiciled company, is not subject 
to the Regulations, we recommended to 
the Board that CRH should seek to apply 
the provisions of the Regulations to the 
extent possible under Irish company law.

Nicky Hartery 
Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee Chairman

February 2014

CRH  53

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee Members
The biographies of the members of the 
Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee are set out on pages 37 to 39.

The tenure of each Committee member is as 
follows:

N. Hartery, Chairman

W.P. Egan

J.W. Kennedy

D.N. O’Connor

9.5 years

6.5 years

4.5 years

1.5 years 

Normally, the maximum tenure for Committee 
membership is three terms of three years.  
During the year, the Board amended the Terms 
of Reference of the Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee to make it clear that the 
Group Chairman’s tenure on the Committee is 
not limited to three terms of three years.

Work of Committee in period between February 
2013 and February 2014
Between February 2013 and February 2014 
the Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee met seven times. The chart above 
sets out how the Nomination and Corporate 
Governance Committee allocated its time in the 
last 12 months.  

The factors taken into account by the 
Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee in considering the composition of 
the Board are set out in the policy for Board 
renewal which is detailed on pages 42 and 43.  

Nomination and Corporate Governance 
Committee’s time allocation 2013/2014

7%

40%

53%

Board renewal/succession planning/
Committee composition

Corporate governance developments/
report to shareholders

Review of Committee’s performance

The Committee establishes processes for 
the identification of suitable candidates 
for appointment to the Board and oversees 
succession planning for the Board and senior 
management. 

As referred to in the section dealing with the 
independence of non-executive Directors on 
page 43, each year the Committee reviews 
details of the non-CRH directorships of 
each Director, including any relationship 
between those companies and the Group. 
The Committee also reviews any business 

relationships between individual Board 
members.

The Committee reviewed its Terms of 
Reference in December 2013 and proposed 
minor updating amendments, which the Board 
approved.

Remuneration Committee

The Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
pages 59 to 90 contains an overview of 
the responsibilities and activities of the 
Remuneration Committee during 2013.

Under its Terms of Reference, the 
Remuneration Committee must be made up 
of at least three members, all of whom must 
be independent non-executive Directors. 
Members of the Committee can serve for up 
to a maximum of three terms of three years. 
The Group Chairman may be a member of 
the Committee provided he was independent 
on appointment as Chairman and the Board 
continues to consider him to be independent. 
Only members of the Committee have the 
right to attend Committee meetings. However, 
other individuals such as the Group Chairman, 
if not a member of the Committee, the Chief 
Executive and external advisers may be invited 
to attend for all or part of any meeting as and 
when appropriate. The Chief Executive is fully 
consulted about remuneration proposals. 

Remuneration Committee Members
The biographies of the members of the 
Remuneration Committee are set out on pages 
37 to 39.

Attendance at Board and Board Committee meetings during the year ended 31 December 2013

Board

Acquisitions

Audit

Finance

Nomination

Remuneration

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

5

5

5

3

5

5

2

5

5

5

2

5

5

2

8

8

5

8

3

3

5

8

3

3

5

5

5

1

5

4

5

5

5

0

5

4

6

6

6

6

6

6

9

9

9

9

9

9

6

6

9

9

8

8

8

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

8

8

E. Bärtschi

M. Carton

W.P. Egan

U-H. Felcht

N. Hartery

J.M. de Jong

J.W. Kennedy

M. Lee*

H.A. McSharry

A. Manifold

D.A. McGovern, Jr.**

D.N. O’Connor

M. Towe

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

8

8

*  Retired December 2013 
** Appointed to Board July 2013

54  CRH

Corporate Governance Report | continued

The tenure of each Committee member is as 
follows:

The attendance at Finance Committee meetings 
is set out in the table on page 54.

D.N. O’Connor, Chairman

W.P. Egan

N. Hartery

J.W. Kennedy

1.5 years

6.5 years

9.5 years

4.5 years

During the year, the Board amended the Terms 
of Reference of the Remuneration Committee to 
make it clear that the Group Chairman’s tenure 
on the Committee was not limited to three 
terms of three years.

In addition, the Committee reviewed its Terms 
of Reference in December 2013 and proposed 
minor updating amendments, which the Board 
approved.

Acquisitions Committee

Acquisitions Committee Members
The biographies of the members of the 
Acquisitions Committee are set out on  
pages 37 and 38.

The tenure of each Committee member is as 
follows:

N. Hartery, Chairman

M. Carton

U-H. Felcht

J.M. de Jong

A. Manifold

1.5 years

3.5 years

2.0 years

0.5 years 

5.0 years

The attendance at Acquisitions Committee 
meetings is set out in the table on page 54.

Role and Responsibilities
The Acquisitions Committee has been 
delegated authority by the Board to approve 
acquisitions and disposals and large capital 
expenditure projects up to agreed limits.

Finance Committee

Finance Committee Members
The biographies of the members of the Finance 
Committee are set out on pages 37 and 38.

The tenure of each Committee member is as 
follows:

N. Hartery, Chairman

M. Carton

U-H. Felcht

J.M. de Jong

A. Manifold

1.5 years

3.5 years

6.5 years

0.5 years 

0.2 years

Role and Responsibilities
The Finance Committee is responsible for:

 –  advising the Board on the financial 
requirements of the Group and on 
appropriate funding arrangements;

 –  considering and making recommendations 

to the Board in relation to the issue and buy-
back of shares and debt instruments and to 
the Group’s financing arrangements; 

 –  considering and making recommendations 

to the Board in relation to dividend levels on 
the Ordinary Shares; 

 –  keeping the Board advised of the financial 

implications of Board decisions in relation to 
acquisitions; 

 – assisting management, at their request, in 

considering any financial or taxation aspect 
of the Group’s affairs; and 

 –  reviewing the Group’s insurance 

arrangements.

Risk Management and Internal Control

The Board has delegated responsibility for the 
monitoring of the effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk management and internal control systems 
to the Audit Committee1. Such systems are 
designed to manage rather than eliminate the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives 
and, in the case of internal control systems, 
can provide only reasonable and not absolute 
assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Consolidated Financial Statements are 
prepared subject to oversight and control of 
the Finance Director, ensuring correct data 
is captured from Group locations and all 
required information for disclosure in the 
Consolidated Financial Statements is provided. 
An appropriate control framework has been put 
in place around the recording of appropriate 
eliminating journals and other adjustments. 
The Consolidated Financial Statements are 
reviewed by the CRH Financial Reporting and 
Disclosure Group prior to being reviewed by 
the Audit Committee and approved by the 
Board of Directors.

The Directors confirm that the Group’s 
ongoing process for identifying, evaluating 
and managing its principal risks and 
uncertainties (as outlined in the Directors’ 
Report on pages 92 and 93) is in accordance 
with the updated Turnbull guidance (Internal 
Control: Revised Guidance for Directors on the 
Combined Code) published in October 2005. 
The process has been in place throughout 
the accounting period and up to the date 
of approval of the Annual Report and 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Group management has responsibility for 
major strategic development and financing 
decisions. Responsibility for operational 
issues is devolved, subject to limits of 
authority, to product group and operating 
company management. Management at all 
levels is responsible for internal control 
over the business functions that have been 
delegated. This embedding of the system 
of internal control throughout the Group’s 
operations ensures that the organisation is 
capable of responding quickly to evolving 
business risks, and that significant internal 
control issues, should they arise, are reported 
promptly to appropriate levels of management.

During the year, the Board and Audit 
Committee received, on a regular basis, reports 
from management on the key risks to the 
business and the steps being taken to manage 
such risks. They also considered whether 
the significant risks faced by the Group were 
being identified, evaluated and appropriately 
managed, having regard to the balance of 
risk, cost and opportunity. In addition, the 
Audit Committee met with internal auditors 
on a regular basis and satisfied itself as to 
the adequacy of the Group’s internal control 
system; met with the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee to ensure that the 
Group’s remuneration policies and structures 
were appropriate and in line with the Group’s 
risk tolerance; and reviewed the principal risks 
and uncertainties outlined in the Directors’ 
Report. The Audit Committee also met with, 
and received reports from, the external 
auditors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee 
reported regularly to the Board on all 
significant issues considered by the Committee 
and the minutes of its meetings were circulated 
to all Directors.

The Directors confirm that, in addition to the 
monitoring carried out by the Audit Committee 
under its Terms of Reference, they have 
reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems 
up to and including the date of approval of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements. This 
had regard to all material controls, including 
financial, operational and compliance controls 
that could affect the Group’s business.

Compliance & Ethics

The Group Compliance & Ethics (C&E) 
programme continues to develop in scope and 
reach. The structure of the C&E organisation 
was strengthened considerably in recent years 
with a dedicated Country Compliance network 
available to support our operating management 
to achieve our compliance objectives in all 
locations. 

1   In accordance with Regulation 91(6)(b) of the European Communities (Statutory Audits) (Directive 2006/43) Regulations 2010.

CRH  55

Attendance at Board and Board Committee meetings during the year ended 31 December 2013

Board

Acquisitions

Audit

Finance

Nomination

Remuneration

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

No. of Meetings

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

Total

Attended

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

8

8

8

8

8

7

8

8

8

8

8

8

4

8

8

E. Bärtschi

M. Carton

W.P. Egan

U-H. Felcht

N. Hartery

J.M. de Jong

J.W. Kennedy

M. Lee*

H.A. McSharry

A. Manifold

D.A. McGovern, Jr.**

D.N. O’Connor

M. Towe

*  Retired December 2013 

** Appointed to Board July 2013

5

5

5

3

5

5

2

5

5

5

2

5

5

2

8

8

5

8

3

3

5

8

3

3

5

5

5

1

5

4

5

5

5

0

5

4

6

6

6

6

6

6

9

9

9

9

9

9

6

6

9

9

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

Substantial Holdings

As at 31 December 2013, the Company had received notification of the following interests in its Ordinary share capital, which were equal 
to, or in excess of, 3%:

Name

31 December 2013

31 December 2012

31 December 2011

BlackRock, Inc.*

43,857,751

5.98%

28,961,677

3.98%

28,961,677

4.02%

Holding/Voting 
Rights

% at year 
end

Holding/Voting 
Rights

% at year 
end

Holding/Voting 
Rights

% at year 
end

The Capital Group Companies, Inc. (“CGC”)**

Capital Research & Management Company 
(“CRMC”)**

Harbor International Fund

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Legal & General Group Plc

Norges Bank (The Central Bank of Norway)

-

-

-

-

35,763,581

4.92%

-

-

-

-

69,367,916

9.64%

21,999,275

3.00%

21,999,275

3.02%

21,999,275

3.05%

42,379,112

5.77%

-

-

-

-

-

-

22,496,003

3.09%

21,543,277

2.96%

21,543,277

2.99%

-

-

-

-

Templeton Global Advisors Limited

21,503,171

2.93%

21,503,171

2.96%

21,503,171

2.99%

UBS AG

26,380,604

3.59%

26,380,604

3.63%

26,380,604

3.66%

*  BlackRock, Inc. has advised that its interests in CRH shares arise by reason of discretionary investment management arrangements entered into by it or its subsidiaries.

**  In  2012,  CGC  advised  the  Company  that,  with  effect  from  1  September  2012,  the  holdings  of  CRMC  and  Capital  Group  International,  Inc.  (“CGII”),  which  were 

previously reported separately, would be reported in aggregate by CGC, the parent of both CRMC and CGII.

CRH’s Code of Business Conduct (COBC) and 
related policies were updated and approved by 
the Board in February 2012 and the C&E team’s 
primary focus since then has been to ensure 
all relevant employees receive appropriate 
training. Over the past two years over 30,000 
employees have participated in Code of 
Business Conduct training and a further 10,000 
have also undertaken advanced instruction on 
competition law, anti-bribery awareness and 
steps to counter the potential for corruption 
and fraud.

In addition, our development teams and 
procurement teams have received appropriate 
instruction on both our C&E Mergers, 
Acquisitions and Joint Venture Due Diligence 
Programme and our Ethical Procurement Code. 
We also developed a Supplier Code of Conduct 
in 2013, to communicate our minimum 
Corporate Social Responsibility requirements 
to existing and new suppliers to the Group 
and to outline how we ensure compliance 
with these requirements. Similar procedures 
have been developed for any engagements 
with business partners. Further guidelines 
developed during the year include:

 – the CRH Leading with Integrity Manual  

(A Handbook for Managers and Directors) 
to assist operating company management in 
setting the tone from the top and fostering a 
culture of integrity; and 

 – Gifts & Hospitality Guidelines, to provide 

more guidance in this area.

Sustainability and Corporate Social 
Responsibility

In February 2014, the COBC was further 
revised and presented to the Board for 
approval. The new Code has scored an 
“A” rating by New York Stock Exchange 
Governance Services and incorporates some 
welcome new features, including learning aids, 
an ethical decision-making guide and a clear 
focus on the core values of the Group: Honesty, 
Integrity and Respect. It will be translated and 
distributed during 2014 and related training 
will be migrated to an on-line module. A robust 
communication plan is in place to complement 
the training programme. A multi-lingual 
“hotline” facility is also available to employees 
as a secure channel to report ethical issues that 
concern them or suspected violations of our 
Codes. All hotline reports received are fully 
reviewed and investigated by appropriately 
qualified personnel.

The C&E programme has been integrated into 
standard Internal Audit procedures and forms 
part of an annual management certification 
process. Its effectiveness is also regularly 
reviewed by the C&E function with appropriate 
oversight from senior management and the 
Audit Committee. The collective goal is to 
ensure the message is clearly understood that at 
CRH “there is never a good business reason to 
do the wrong thing”.

Sustainability and Corporate Social 
Responsibility (CSR) concepts are embedded in 
all CRH operations and activities. Excellence 
in the areas of health & safety, environment 
and climate change, governance and people 
and community is a daily key priority of 
line management. The Group’s policies and 
implementation systems are summarised on 
pages 16 and 17 and are described in detail 
in the annual Sustainability Report, which is 
typically published mid-year in respect of the 
previous calendar year, and is available on 
the Group’s website. During 2013, CRH was 
again recognised by several leading socially 
responsible investment (SRI) agencies as 
being among the leaders in its sector in these 
important areas.

Substantial Holdings

The Company is not owned or controlled 
directly or indirectly by any government or 
by any corporation or by any other natural or 
legal person severally or jointly. The major 
shareholders do not have any special voting 
rights. 

Details of the substantial holdings as at  
31 December 2013 are provided in the table  
above. The Company has not been advised of any 
changes in the holdings since 31 December 2013.

56  CRH

Corporate Governance Report | continued

Communications with Shareholders

Communications with shareholders are 
given high priority and the Group devotes 
considerable time and resources each year to 
shareholder engagement. We recognise the 
importance of effective dialogue as an integral 
element of good corporate governance. The 
Investor Relations team, together with the Chief 
Executive, Finance Director and other senior 
executives, meet regularly with institutional 
shareholders (each year covering over 50% 
of shareholder base). Detailed reports on the 
issues covered in those meetings and the views 
of shareholders are circulated to the Board after 
each group of meetings. 

During 2013, the Chairman, Senior 
Independent Director and Company Secretary 
participated in a number of conference calls 
with some of the Group’s major shareholders in 
advance of the 2013 Annual General Meeting. 
The meetings were organised to provide those 
shareholders with an opportunity to discuss 
the resolutions on the 2013 Annual General 
Meeting agenda and corporate governance 
matters generally. Also, as outlined in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 
60, the Senior Independent Director and 
Company Secretary met with the Group’s major 
shareholders, various shareholder and proxy 
voting agencies to discuss the Company’s 
proposed new remuneration structures.

Investor Relations Activities

Formal Announcements: including the release of the annual and interim results and the 
issuance of interim management statements. These announcements are typically accompanied 
by presentations and webcasts or conference calls. 

Investor Roadshows: typically held following the release of formal announcements, provide 
an opportunity for the management team to meet existing and/or potential investors in a 
concentrated set of meetings.

Industry Conferences: attendance at key sector and investor conferences affords members of 
the senior management team the opportunity to engage with key investors and analysts.

Investor Briefings: every 18-24 months, the Company holds capital market days, which include 
presentations on various aspects of CRH’s operations and strategy and provide an opportunity 
for investors and analysts to meet with CRH’s wider management team.

Media Briefings: each year, the Company provides media briefings on numerous issues.

In addition to the activities set out in the 
above table, major acquisitions are notified 
to the Stock Exchanges in accordance with 
the requirements of the Listing Rules and 
development updates, giving details of other 
acquisitions completed and major capital 
expenditure projects, are usually issued in 
January and July each year. 

We respond throughout the year to 
correspondence from shareholders on a  
wide range of issues.

The following are available on the CRH website, www.crh.com:

Corporate Governance section:

 –  Terms of Reference of Acquisitions Committee (amended December 2010)

 –  Terms of Reference of Audit Committee (amended December 2013)

 –  Terms of Reference of Finance Committee (amended February 2004)

 –  Terms of Reference of Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee (amended  

December 2013)

 –  Terms of Reference of Remuneration Committee (amended December 2013)

 –  The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company

 –  Pre-approval policy for non-audit services provided by the auditors

 –  Compliance & Ethics statement, Code of Business Conduct and Hotline contact numbers

Investors section:

 – Annual and Interim Reports, the Annual Report on Form 20-F, the Sustainability Report, Interim 

Management Statements and copies of presentations to analysts and investors

 –  News releases

 –  Presentations and video recordings of executive presentations at capital markets days in 

London and New York in November 2012

 –  Webcast recordings of key investor briefings

 –  General Meeting dates, notices, shareholder circulars, presentations and poll results

 –  Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, including questions regarding dividends and 

shareholder rights in respect of general meetings 

The Chief Executive made a presentation 
to shareholders at the 2013 Annual General 
Meeting on CRH’s businesses and how 
management approach conducting the Group’s 
affairs across its wide geographical footprint.

General Meetings

The Company’s Annual General Meeting 
(AGM), which is held in Ireland, affords 
individual shareholders the opportunity to 
question the Chairman and the Board. All 
Directors attended the 2013 AGM. The Notice 
of the AGM, which specifies the time, date, 
place and the business to be transacted, is sent 
to shareholders at least 20 working days before 
the meeting. At the meeting, resolutions are 
voted on by way of a poll using an electronic 
voting system. The votes of shareholders 
present at the meeting are added to the proxy 
votes received in advance and the total number 
of votes for, against and withheld for each 
resolution are announced. This information 
is made available on the Company’s website 
following the meeting.

All other general meetings are called 
Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs). 
An EGM called for the passing of a special 
resolution must be called by at least 21 clear 
days’ notice.

A quorum for a general meeting of the 
Company is constituted by five or more 
shareholders present in person and entitled to 
vote. The passing of resolutions at a meeting of 
the Company, other than special resolutions, 
requires a simple majority. To be passed, a 
special resolution requires a majority of at least 
75% of the votes cast.

Shareholders have the right to attend, speak, 
ask questions and vote at general meetings. 
In accordance with Irish company law, the 
Company specifies record dates for general 
meetings, by which date shareholders must 
be registered in the Register of Members of 
the Company to be entitled to attend. Record 

CRH  57

 
Corporate Governance Report | continued

dates are specified in the notes to the Notice of 
a general meeting. Shareholders may exercise 
their right to vote by appointing, by electronic 
means or in writing, a proxy/proxies to vote 
some or all of their shares. The requirements 
for the receipt of valid proxy forms are set 
out in the notes to the Notice convening the 
meeting and in the notes on the proxy form. 
A shareholder, or a group of shareholders, 
holding at least 5% of the issued share capital 
of the Company, has the right to requisition 
a general meeting. A shareholder, or a group 
of shareholders, holding at least 3% of the 
issued share capital of the Company, has the 
right to put an item on the agenda of an AGM 
or to table a draft resolution for inclusion in 
the agenda of a general meeting, subject to any 
contrary provision in Irish company law.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The Company’s Memorandum of Association 
sets out the objects and powers of the 
Company. The Articles of Association detail 
the rights attaching to each share class; the 
method by which the Company’s shares can 
be purchased or re-issued and the provisions 
which apply to the holding of and voting at 
general meetings. Details of transactions in the 
Company’s own shares are included on page 94  
of the Directors’ Report.

The Articles of Association also set out the 
rules relating to Directors, including their 
appointment, retirement, re-election, duties 
and powers. The Articles provide that no 
person other than a Director retiring at the 
meeting shall, unless recommended by the 
Directors, be eligible for election to the office 
of Director at any General Meeting, unless 
not less than seven nor more than 21 days 
before the day appointed for the meeting there 
shall have been left at the registered office 
notice in writing, signed by a member duly 
qualified to attend and vote at the meeting for 
which such notice is given, of his intention 
to propose such person for election and also 

notice in writing signed by that person of his 
willingness to be elected. The Articles also 
require that the qualification of a Director 
shall be the holding alone and not jointly with 
any other person of 1,000 Ordinary Shares in 
the capital of the Company. A Director may 
act before acquiring his qualification but must 
acquire the shares within two months of his/
her appointment or election.

Going Concern

The Company’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position are set 
out in the Strategy section and in the Directors’ 
Report on pages 8 and 9 and pages 91 to 95. 
The financial position of the Company, its 
cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are described in the Business 
Performance Review on pages 18 to 35. In 
addition, notes 21 to 25 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements include the Company’s 
objectives, policies and processes for managing 
its capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial instruments 
and hedging activities; and its exposures to 
credit, currency and liquidity risks.

The Company has considerable financial 
resources and a large number of customers 
and suppliers across different geographic areas 
and industries. In addition, the local nature 
of building materials means that the Group’s 
products are not usually shipped cross-border.

Having assessed the relevant business risks, 
the Directors believe that the Company is well 
placed to manage these risks successfully, 
and they have a reasonable expectation that 
the Company, and the Group as a whole, have 
adequate resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. For this 
reason, they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

58  CRH

Contents

Page

Directors’ Remuneration Report

59 Statement from Committee Chairman

62 Annual Statement on Remuneration

62 —  proposed implementation of 

remuneration policy in 2014

66 —  implementation of remuneration 

policy in 20131

76 —  other disclosures

79

Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report

1  Tables 8, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30  

and 37 have been audited

The Remuneration Committee consists of four 
non-executive Directors considered by the Board 
to be independent. They bring the range of 
experience of large organisations and public 
companies, including experience in the area of 
senior executive remuneration, to enable the 
Committee to fulfil its role. Their biographical 
details are set out on pages 37 to 39.

The main focus of the Committee is to:

 – determine and agree with the Board the 

Group’s policy on executive remuneration;

 – seek shareholder approval for the policy at 

least every three years;

 – ensure that CRH’s remuneration structures are 

fair and responsible; 

 – consider and approve salaries and other terms 
of the remuneration packages for the executive 
Directors and the Chairman. 

In addition, the Committee:

 – recommends and monitors the level and 

structure of remuneration for senior 
management; and

 – oversees the preparation of this Directors’ 

Remuneration Report. 

In considering remuneration levels for executive 
Directors particularly, the Committee takes into 
account remuneration trends across the CRH 
Group, which has a diverse range of operations  
in 35 countries, in geographic regions which are 
often at different stages in the economic cycle.

Additional details in relation to the Committee, its 
role and responsibilities and how it operates are 
included in the Remuneration Committee section 
of the Corporate Governance report on page 54. 

The Chief Executive attends meetings except 
when his own remuneration is being discussed.

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

Dan O’Connor
Chairman of Remuneration 
Committee and Senior 
Independent Director

Introduction

Bill Egan

Nicky Hartery

John Kennedy

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to 
introduce the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report for the year ended 31 December 
2013.

Format and content of Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and 2014  
Annual General Meeting

Best practice and regulatory 
requirements in the area of remuneration 
in the UK have been evolving over 
recent years. In 2013, significant new 
legislative requirements were brought 
into force in the UK in relation to 
executive remuneration by the Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) 
Regulations (the “2013 UK 
Regulations”). While as an Irish 
incorporated company, CRH is not 
subject to those UK regulatory 
requirements, the Group has sought to 
apply the new requirements on a 
voluntary basis to the extent possible 
under Irish law. We are continuing this 
approach in respect of the 2013 UK 
Regulations.

As a result, at the 2014 Annual General 
Meeting there will be two separate 
advisory shareholder votes on:

(i)  the Group’s remuneration policy  

for Directors (the “Policy Report”)  
(see pages 79 to 90); and 

(ii) the Group’s pay to executive 

Directors in 2013 and the proposed 
implementation of the Group’s 
remuneration policy for 2014  
(the “Annual Statement on 
Remuneration”) (see pages 62 to 78). 

Under the 2013 UK Regulations, 
shareholder votes on policy reports are 
binding. However, as an Irish 
incorporated company, CRH cannot rely 
on the statutory provisions applicable  
to UK companies under the 2013 UK 
Regulations which, in certain 
circumstances, can resolve any 
inconsistency between a remuneration 
policy and any contractual or other  
right of a Director. Therefore, the Policy 
Report is being submitted to 
shareholders as an advisory resolution. 

CRH  59

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Nevertheless, the Remuneration 
Committee’s intention is to operate 
within this policy as if it were binding.

The vote on the Annual Statement on 
Remuneration is broadly equivalent to 
the existing “Say on Pay” vote on the 
way in which remuneration issues have 
been dealt with by the Committee.

At the 2014 Annual General Meeting 
there will also be a resolution to approve 
a new Performance Share Plan.

Remuneration Review 

Notwithstanding the high level of support 
for CRH’s approach to remuneration in 
recent years, following the Annual 
General Meeting held in May 2013, the 
Committee carried out an extensive 
review of the Group’s remuneration 
policy and arrangements. A number of 
factors drove the timing for the review: 

 – the last major review was conducted in 
2009, since when there have been a 
number of developments in the area of 
recommended remuneration practice; 

 – a desire to ensure that CRH’s 

remuneration structures remain 
appropriate as the Group’s strategy 
evolves, continues to be at the forefront 
of best practice and reflect shareholder 
expectations for FTSE100 companies; 
 – the transition to a new Chief Executive 

with effect from 1 January 2014. 

At the commencement of the process the 
Remuneration Committee set out a 
number of guiding principles for the 
review. These are set out in table 1.

Against this background, the Committee 
decided to make the following changes to 
CRH’s remuneration arrangements:

 – the long-term incentive framework will 
be simplified with executive Directors 
participating in a single Performance 

Share Plan going forward. Performance 
share award levels will be 250% of 
base salary for the Chief Executive and 
200% for other executive Directors. To 
ensure management is incentivised to 
drive shareholder value creation, 
awards will vest subject to a 
combination of relative Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR) compared to 
peers and cumulative cash flow targets 
over a three-year period;

 – the package will be adjusted to 

provide a better balance between 
driving short-term performance and 
rewarding long-term success, and to 
reflect typical market practice. The 
annual bonus opportunity will be set 
at 150% of base salary for all executive 
Directors. There will be no changes to 
the performance measures for the 
annual bonus as these were considered 
to remain appropriate; and

 – the annual bonus framework will be 

re-calibrated to increase the alignment 
between the expectations of 
shareholders and bonus awards. The 
level of bonus payout for target levels 
of performance will be reduced to 50% 
and the deferral structure will be 
simplified and made more consistent, 
with 25% of any bonus being deferred.

These changes give rise to a moderate 
increase in the overall incentive 
opportunity. The Remuneration 
Committee considers this appropriate as 
total remuneration remains within a 
market competitive range.

A number of best practice features have 
been introduced. Malus provisions have 
been included in the Deferred Share 
Plan and the Performance Share Plan.  
A two-year post-vesting holding period 
has also been introduced into the 
Performance Share Plan. 

Guiding Principles for Review of Remuneration Framework

Table 1

Continued alignment with strategy;  
our remuneration policy should  
incentivise executives to deliver on  
long-term strategic goals

Increased shareholder alignment  
by extending reward horizons

Simplification of CRH’s remuneration 
framework to improve the line of sight 
for participants and to increase clarity for 
shareholders

Reflect best practice requirements while  
being flexible and responsive to  
evolving business needs throughout  
the economic cycle

During the review, the Committee 
considered the remuneration structure 
compared with other companies of 
similar size and complexity. It also 
considered general market best practice, 
guidance issued by shareholder 
organisations and correspondence 
received from shareholders setting out 
their policies on remuneration. 

Shareholder Consultation
On behalf of the Committee, I sent a 
summary of the proposed remuneration 
structure to the Group’s major 
shareholders and shareholder 
organisations, including the Association 
of British Insurers, the Irish Association 
of Investment Managers, the UK National 
Association of Pension Funds and to 
various proxy voting agencies. I 
subsequently engaged with a number of 
those shareholders and organisations to 
hear their views on the proposals. 

The dialogue with shareholders was 
consultative in nature. We set out 
proposals for the areas where we felt the 
structures needed to change. We sought 
the views of shareholders in each of 
those areas. There was a general 
appreciation for the approach adopted 
by the Committee, for the general 
structure of the policy and for the 
provisions to improve shareholder 
alignment. There were some common 
themes in the responses to some of the 
proposals and, I think it is fair to say, 
occasional responses that were 
representative of the philosophy of 
individual institutions. The Committee 
considered the feedback from each 
shareholder or organisation in finalising 
the incentive framework. 

Further details on the outcome of the 
review and the way in which the 
remuneration policy will be 
implemented in 2014 are set out in 
detail in the Annual Statement on 
Remuneration on pages 62 to 78. 

2013 Annual Bonus Awards

Turning now to 2013, the bonus awards 
for 2013 were 29.7% of maximum (35.6% 
of salary) for Irish Directors and 71% of 
maximum (95% of salary) for Mark Towe, 
Chief Executive, Oldcastle, Inc., the 
holding company for CRH’s Americas 
operations. As 2013 bonus levels for the 
Irish Directors were less than target 
performance, the payment is entirely  

60  CRH

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

in cash. The percentage of Mark Towe’s 
bonus in excess of target will be deferred 
for three years.

As can be seen from the key financial 
figures on page 6, 2013 turned out to be a 
much more challenging year than 
anticipated in our European operations. 
However there was strong discipline in 
relation to cash management, which 
resulted in net debt remaining broadly in 
line with 2012 despite a total spend of 
€1.2 billion on acquisitions, investments 
and capital expenditure. This resulted in 
a payout under the cash flow component. 

The award made to Mark Towe reflected 
the improvements in the performance of 
the Group’s operations in the United 
States, which saw like-for-like sales up 
5% in the second half of the year and 
improved EBITDA* margins in all three 
Americas segments (Materials, Products 
and Distribution).

There was also a payout for each Director 
under the personal component of the 
plan, reflecting achievements in a range 
of areas relevant to the individuals.

Further details in relation to the annual 
bonus plan for 2013 are set out on pages 
66 to 68.

Vesting of Long-Term Incentives

2011 Performance Share Plan Award
In respect of the award made in 2011 
under the 2006 Performance Share Plan, 
which was subject to relative TSR 
performance in the three year period to 
31 December 2013, the Remuneration 
Committee determined in February 2014 
that 49% of the award had vested. The 
Company’s TSR performance over the 
period was between median and upper 
quartile when assessed against both the 
Eurofirst 300 Index and the building 
materials sector (as set out in table 15 on 
page 69).

2011 Share Option Award
The grant of options in 2011 under the 
2010 Scheme did not meet the three year 
Earnings Per Share (EPS) performance 
criteria and, accordingly, the options will 
lapse in April 2014.

2009 Chief Executive Long-Term  
Incentive Plan
The payout level under Myles Lee’s five 
year Chief Executive Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (the “2009 CEO LTIP”) 
was €778,127, which represents  

33.7% of the potential opportunity of 
€2.3 million under the 2009 CEO LTIP. 
This payout reflects above-median TSR 
performance against our peers and 
strong progress against strategic 
objectives, in particular, cost reduction, 
cash generation and portfolio 
development. Details of the components 
of the 2009 CEO LTIP and the payout 
level are set out on pages 69 to 71.

Goodwill Impairment/Long-Term 
Incentives
As indicated in the 2013 November 
Interim Management Statement (the 
“IMS”), a detailed assessment of the 
Group’s portfolio was commenced in the 
latter part of 2013 to identify and focus on 
the businesses which offer the most 
attractive future returns for our 
shareholders. The purpose of the review 
was to look at how CRH can drive returns 
and growth in the coming years. The IMS 
advised that the review was likely to result 
in the decision to make disposals of 
non-core businesses which, together with 
the impact of the continuing difficult 
environment in Europe, could give rise to 
a non-cash impairment charge in our 2013 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Having taken into account these 
disclosures in the IMS, and following 
discussion with the Group’s external 
advisors, the Committee determined that it 
was reasonable to conclude that the 
long-term incentives with a TSR 
performance period ending in December 
2013 should vest.

Executive Directors’ Salaries 
As part of the remuneration review, the 
Remuneration Committee also considered 
CRH’s executive Director salary levels. 
The Committee concluded that the salary 
for Maeve Carton, Finance Director, is 
currently positioned below the market 
level given her experience and ability in 
the role and, therefore, an increase to 
€675,000 to reflect her experience and 
performance was appropriate (with the 
increase to be implemented over two 
years, subject to continued individual 
and business performance).

The salary for the new Chief Executive, 
Albert Manifold, has been set at 
€1,200,000. The Committee believed it 
was appropriate for Albert to be 
appointed on broadly the same salary as 
the outgoing Chief Executive, rather than 
phasing the salary in over a number of 

years, given that the former Chief 
Executive had received minor salary 
increases since 2009 and that there is no 
current intention to appoint a 
replacement as Chief Operating Officer.

Conclusion

I believe that the Remuneration 
Committee has implemented the Group’s 
existing policies in 2013 in an 
appropriate manner and has revised the 
remuneration structures for the Group, 
for 2014 onwards, in a progressive way 
using clear principles and introducing 
new best practice measures. 

Our shareholders and other organisations 
involved in the remuneration 
consultation process invested a 
considerable amount of time and 
resources in reviewing the proposals and 
providing feedback to us. On behalf of the 
Remuneration Committee, I would like to 
thank them for their valuable 
contribution. 

Overall, in finalising the revised 
remuneration structures and policies I 
believe we have responded in a fair and 
balanced way to the feedback we received 
and I would encourage all shareholders to 
vote in favour of each of the three 
remuneration-related resolutions to be 
put to the 2014 Annual General Meeting.

Dan O’Connor 
Remuneration Committee Chairman

February 2014

*  EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, 

taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment 
charges, profit on disposals and the Group’s share 
of equity accounted investments’ result after tax.

CRH  61

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Annual Statement on Remuneration

The following sets out details of how CRH’s 
remuneration policy will operate for 2014, 
remuneration paid in respect of 2013, details of 
how the Remuneration Committee works and 
other areas of disclosure.

Remuneration Review 

As referred to in the Committee Chairman’s 
Statement, a remuneration review was carried 
out during 2013 to ensure that remuneration 
arrangements remain aligned with strategy and 
shareholder value creation while reflecting best 
practice for companies with a primary listing 
on the London Stock Exchange. The key 
principles of the review and how the proposed 
changes align with these principles are 
summarised in table 2.

Based on the review, the Remuneration 
Committee drafted a revised remuneration 
structure for the Group. The Committee 
Chairman subsequently met with major 
shareholders, shareholder representative bodies 
and proxy agents to discuss the proposals. The 
feedback received during the meetings was 
taken into account during the process to 
finalise the revised incentive framework. 

Final Incentive Framework
The final remuneration framework approved 
by the Committee and the changes from the 
existing policy are set out in table 4 on  
page 63.

Implementation of Remuneration  
Policy in 2014 

The Group’s remuneration policy is set out in 
the Remuneration Policy Report on pages 79 to 
90. Shareholders will be requested to approve 
the policy at the 2014 Annual General Meeting 
and it is intended that the policy will be 

Salary Level Increases 2009 - 2013

Annual Bonus Plan

Principles

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Table 2

The metrics for the  
annual bonus plan  
remain appropriate,  
robust and challenging. 

Alignment  

with  

strategy

Long-term incentive 
structures should be 
simplified by providing for 
one single incentive plan. 

The payout for target 
performance should be 
reduced; while the 
opportunity for significantly 
exceeding target should  
be increased.

Simplicity

The award level structure 
should be simplified so that 
all executive Directors are 
treated on the same basis.

Shareholder  

alignment

The change will result in a 
moderate increase in the 
expected value of the 
incentive opportunity.  
Total compensation will 
remain within the  
competitive market range.

To increase alignment with 
shareholders, vested awards 
should be held for an 
additional two years. 
Awards vest based on  
the achievement of TSR and 
cash flow targets.

The deferral structure should 
be simplified, while malus* 
provisions should be 
introduced.

Best  

practice

Formal rules for malus* 
provisions should  
be introduced.

*  Malus: A mechanism whereby the Remuneration Committee may decide not to release deferred share or 
performance share plan awards if an unusual event such as a material financial misstatement occurred, 
significant losses were incurred or the Company suffered significant reputational damage

effective from that date. The following sections 
summarise how the Remuneration Committee 
intends to apply the remuneration policy for 
executive Directors in 2014. 

2014 Salaries
Executive Directors salaries for 2014 will be as 
follows:

 – Chief Executive, Albert Manifold - €1,200,000;

 – Finance Director, Maeve Carton - €625,000, 

Table 3

representing an increase of 9.7%  
(2013: €570,000); and

4.3% 4.2%

4.0%

3.8%

 – Chief Executive, Oldcastle, Inc.,  

Mark Towe - US$1,377,000, representing an 
increase of 2% (2013: US$1,350,000).

3.6%

3.1%

2.6%

4.5%
4.0%
3.5%
3.0%
2.5%
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%

0.0%

The Committee believed it was appropriate for 
the salary for the new Chief Executive, Albert 
Manifold, to be at broadly the same salary as 
the outgoing Chief Executive, rather than 
phasing the salary in over a number of years. 
The rationale for this is that there is no current 
intention to appoint a replacement as Chief 
Operating Officer. In addition, since 2009, 
salary increases for his predecessor had been 
very limited (see table 3 for details of salary 
increases since 2009). The salary level is within 
the market competitive range for the breadth 
and complexity of the role and the Committee 
considers that this positioning is appropriate.

0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

0.0% 0.0%

0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Myles Lee

Maeve Carton*

Albert Manifold

 Mark Towe

2010/09

2011/10

2012/11

2013/12

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

2.6%

* Appointed in May 2010

62  CRH

-

0.0%

0.0%

3.6%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

3.1%

4.3%

4.2%

4.0%

3.8%

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Framework 2009-2013

Final Framework

Comments 

Table 4

Annual  
Bonus

80% of award based on financial performance 
(profit, EPS growth, cash flow, return on net 
assets)

20% based on individual personal, safety and 
strategic goals

No changes proposed

The Remuneration Committee has committed 
to increase the level of disclosure in relation to 
bonus payments in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report

Two-thirds of maximum bonus awarded for 
delivering target performance

50% of maximum bonus awarded for delivering 
target performance

Maximum award size of:

Irish-based Directors: 120% of salary

US-based Director: 135% of salary

Maximum award size of 150% of salary for all 
executive Directors

The Committee considered that metrics for 
the annual bonus plan remain appropriate, 
robust and challenging

Table 12 on page 68 summarises the bonuses 
paid between 2009 and 2013

The payout level for target performance is 
being reduced to better reflect typical market 
norms

The total remuneration opportunity is being 
re-balanced to better reflect typical market 
practice and to provide an increased 
incentive for significantly outperforming key 
annual targets

Any bonus award greater than target performance 
deferred for three years

25% of all bonus awards deferred for three 
years

This provides a simpler and more consistent 
approach to bonus deferral

No malus provisions

Performance 
Share Plan

Vesting based on relative TSR performance 
against a sector peer group (50% of award) and 
the Eurofirst 300, a cross-sector index (50% of 
award). (2006 Performance Share Plan)

Malus provisions for deferred share awards to 
provide the ability to scale back awards prior to 
vesting in the event of material  
misstatement, serious reputational damage or 
the Company suffering serious losses

Vesting based:

 – 75% on TSR performance against  

sector peers; and

 – 25% on cumulative cash flow target.

(2014 Performance Share Plan)

The Remuneration Committee will look at 
increasing the level of deferral over time

Best practice provision

TSR incentivises management to outperform 
key peers

Cumulative cash flow supports dividend 
delivery and business development activity

3-year performance period

3-year performance period 

No post-vesting holding period

Vested awards will be required to be held for a 
further 2 years post-vesting

The 2-year post-vesting holding period was 
introduced to increase shareholder alignment

Annual award size of up to 150% of salary, with 
awards also being granted under the Share 
Option Plan (up to 150% of salary) and the CEO 
LTIP (see below)

No formal rules for operation of malus provisions

Annual award size of:

 – CEO: 250% of salary;

Award levels reflect the fact that no further 
awards will be granted under the Share 
Option Plan and the CEO LTIP

 – Other executive Directors: 200% of salary; and

 – Awards in exceptional circumstances will be 

limited to 350% of base salary.

Malus provisions for unvested share awards 
(see above annual bonus section for 
circumstances in which it may operate)

Best practice provision

Share Option 
Scheme

Vesting based on performance against EPS 
growth targets

No further awards

Award opportunity incorporated into the 2014 
Performance Share Plan

The Committee decided to discontinue the 
use of the Share Option Scheme to simplify 
the reward structure

3-year performance period

Annual award size of 150% of salary

CEO  
Long-Term 
Incentive Plan

5-year cash LTIP

No further awards

Awards based on relative TSR, EPS growth and 
strategic development of the Group

Award opportunity incorporated into the 2014 
Performance Share Plan

The Committee decided to discontinue the 
use of the CEO LTIP to simplify the reward 
structure

Maximum award of 40% of cumulative salary 
over the period

CRH  63

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

As part of the remuneration review the 
Committee considered the positioning of base 
salary of the other executive Directors and 
concluded that the base salary for the Finance 
Director is currently at the lower end of market 
practice. Maeve Carton was appointed to the 
role of Finance Director in May 2010 and since 
this time has performed very strongly. The 
Committee considers that the positioning of her 
salary does not reflect the scope and 
responsibilities of her role and her 
performance. The Committee, therefore, 
intends to rectify this by awarding her a salary 
increase to be spread over two years, with the 
second increment subject to continued 
individual and business performance. 

The Committee has decided that Ms. Carton’s 
salary should be increased to €675,000 as 
follows:

impacted by unusual events and whether it is, 
therefore, an appropriate reflection of 
underlying performance. In addition, the 
Committee will consider EPS performance in 
the period to ensure that TSR performance was 
consistent with the objectives of the 
performance criteria and had not been distorted 
by extraneous factors. 

The remaining 25% of each award will be 
subject to a cumulative cash flow metric. This 
Group financial measure supports dividend 
delivery, development activity and, in the 
context of the portfolio review announced in 
November 2013, provides an emphasis on 
asset/business disposals. The cash flow target 
will be based on a cumulative adjusted cash 
flow figure over three financial years (2014 – 
2016). The definition of cash flow will be 
adjusted to exclude:

2014 
2015 

increase to €625,000 (+9.7%) 
increase to €675,000 (+8%)

 – dividends to shareholders;

 – acquisition/investment expenditure;

2014 Benefits
Employment-related benefits include the use of 
a company car, medical/life assurance (which 
in the case of the Chief Executive extends to his 
spouse and dependent children) and the 
reimbursement of legal fees incurred by the 
Chief Executive in connection with his service 
agreement, and the payment of related  
income tax. 

2014 Annual Bonus Plan
The 2014 Annual Bonus Plan will be operated 
in line with the revised remuneration structure 
outlined in table 4. In terms of the relative 
weighting of the components of the plan, the 
Committee will increase the focus on return on 
net assets, which will lead to a corresponding 
reduction in the percentage of the plan which 
is linked to EPS. This reflects the Group’s focus 
for 2014, and the period ahead, which is on 
building returns and margins. The targets 
themselves are considered by the Board to be 
commercially sensitive. 

2014 Performance Share Plan Award
If approved by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting to be held on 7 May 2014, 
awards will be made under the 2014 
Performance Share Plan (the “2014 PSP”) on 
the basis set out below. 75% of each award will 
be subject to a Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
performance measure, with performance being 
measured against sector peers (see table 5). The 
vesting schedule is shown in table 6. The 
Committee believes that, for a cyclical business 
such as CRH, TSR is the most appropriate 
performance measure at present and is a key 
measure of the value generated for 
shareholders. 

The TSR performance measure will be subject 
to a financial underpin. When determining 
vesting under the 2014 PSP the Committee will 
review whether the TSR performance has been 

64  CRH

 – share issues (scrip dividend, share options, 

other);

 – financing cash flows (new loans/

repayments);

 – back funding pension payments; and

 – foreign exchange translation.

The Remuneration Committee considers that it 
is appropriate to make these adjustments in 
order to remove items that do not reflect the 
quality of management’s operational 
performance, or are largely outside of 
management control. This will ensure that 
management remains incentivised to make 
decisions which are in the best long-term 
interests of the business and shareholders.

The cumulative adjusted cash flow target for 
awards made in 2014 will be as shown on  
table 7.

The adjusted cash flow target is set taking into 
account the Company’s five year plan and 
market expectations. The Remuneration 
Committee considers the cash flow targets to be 
demanding with significant stretch ensuring 
that only exceptional performance will result 
in a maximum payout.

A detailed summary of the provisions of the 
2014 PSP will be included in a circular to be 
sent to shareholders with the Notice of the 2014 
Annual General Meeting.

Pensions
There is no change to the pension arrangements 
for 2014. Maeve Carton and Albert Manifold 
are participants in a contributory defined 
benefit plan which is based on an accrual rate 
of 1/60th of pensionable salary1 for each year of 
pensionable service and is designed to provide 
two-thirds of career average salary2 at 
retirement for full service. There is provision 

for Ms. Carton and Mr. Manifold to retire at  
60 years of age. If either Ms. Carton or  
Mr. Manifold leave service prior to Normal 
Retirement Age they will become entitled to  
a deferred pension, payable from Normal 
Retirement Age, based on the pension they 
have accrued to their date of leaving.

The Finance Act 2006 established a cap on 
pension provision by introducing a penalty tax 
charge on pension assets in excess of the higher 
of €5 million (in the Finance Act 2011, this 
threshold was reduced to €2.3 million and 
reduced further to €2 million by the Finance 
(No. 2) Act 2013) or the value of individual 
accrued pension entitlements as at 7 December 
2005. As a result of these legislative changes, 
the Remuneration Committee decided that 
executive Directors should have the option of 
continuing to accrue pension benefits as 
previously, or of choosing an alternative 
arrangement, by accepting pension benefits 
limited by the cap, with a similar overall cost 
to the Group. Ms. Carton and Mr. Manifold 
chose to opt for the alternative arrangement 
which involved capping their pensions in line 
with the provisions of the Finance Act 2006 
and receiving a supplementary taxable 
non-pensionable cash allowance in lieu of 
pension benefits foregone. These allowances 
are similar in value to the reduction in the 
Company’s liability represented by the pension 
benefits foregone. They are calculated based on 
actuarial advice as the equivalent of the 
reduction in the Company’s liability to each 
individual and spread over the term to 
retirement as annual compensation allowances. 
Based on his salary with effect from 1 January 
2014, the Group’s actuaries have estimated that 
the payment to Mr. Manifold will be in the 
range of 45% to 50% of his base salary.

The defined benefit scheme in which executive 
Directors participate is closed to new entrants.

Mr. Towe participates in a defined contribution 
retirement plan in respect of basic salary; and 
in addition he participates in an unfunded 
defined contribution Supplemental Executive 
Retirement Plan (SERP), also in respect of basic 
salary, to which contributions are made at an 
agreed rate (20%), offset by contributions made 
to the other retirement plan. 

1   Pensionable salary is defined as basic annual salary 

and excludes any fluctuating emoluments.

2   With effect from 1 January 2012.

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Peer Group for TSR Performance Metric for 2014 Performance Share Plan Award 

Table 5

Boral

Buzzi Unicem 

Cemex

Grafton Group 

Italcementi 

Kingspan Group

Lafarge

Titan Cement

Travis Perkins

Vulcan Materials

Martin Marietta Materials 

Weinerberger

Heidelberg Cement 

Saint Gobain

Wolseley

Holcim

2014 Performance Share Plan Metrics (75% of Award)

Table 6

3-year TSR* performance compared to peer group

Vesting level

Equal to or greater than 75th percentile 

100%

Between 50th and 75th percentile

Straight line between 25% and 100%

Equal to 50th percentile

Below 50th percentile

25%

0%

*  The methodology for calculating TSR assumes all dividends are reinvested on the ex-dividend date at the 
closing share price on that day; the open and close price is based on the three-month average closing price 
on  the  last  day  before  the  start  of  the  performance  period  and  the  final  day  of  the  performance  period 
respectively.

Cumulative Cash Flow in 2014 - 2016 (25% of award)

Vesting Level

Table 7

Equal to or greater than €3.5bn

100%

Between €2.9bn and €3.5bn

Straight line between 25% and 100%

Equal to €2.9bn

Below €2.9bn

25%

0%

CRH  65

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Remuneration received by executive 
Directors in respect of 2013

Details of Directors’ remuneration charged 
against profit in the year are given in table 37 
in the Other Disclosures section. Details of 
individual remuneration for executive 
Directors for the year ended 31 December 2013, 
including explanatory notes, are given in  
table 8. 

Basic Salary and Benefits
The Remuneration Committee reviewed salary 
levels in early 2013 and determined that salary 
increases for executive Directors in the range of 
2.6% to 3.8% were appropriate. The increases, 
which were effective from 1 January 2013, were 
in line with general trends in CRH operations 
around the world. 

Employment-related benefits include the use of 
company cars and medical/life assurance. In 
2013, the monetary value of benefits ranged 
from €13,000 to €59,000.

2013 Annual Bonus Plan 
The structure of CRH’s Annual Bonus Plan, 
which applied between 2009 and 2013 
inclusive, is set out in table 9.

Table 10 sets out the bonus levels for 2013 in 
terms of each of the components of the plan.

As the 2013 bonus levels were less than target 
performance for Mr. Lee, Mr. Manifold and Ms. 
Carton, the payments are entirely in cash. The 
amount in excess of target for Mr. Towe (5.3% 
of salary being €53,874) will be deferred into 
shares to be held for three years.

The Remuneration Committee believes that the 
disclosure of the actual targets of the Annual 
Bonus Plan, either prospectively or 
retrospectively, would be commercially 
sensitive. 

The background against which the 
Remuneration Committee set the targets for 
2013, was the Board’s expectation for ongoing 
improvements in our businesses in the Americas 
and a stabilisation in the trading backdrop in 
our European operations, enabling the Group to 
achieve progress in 2013. As can be seen from 
the EPS outcome (before non-cash impairments) 
which reduced to 59.5c per share (-40%), 2013 
turned out to be a much more challenging year 
than anticipated in our European operations. As 
a result, there was a 0% payout under the EPS 

Individual Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2013 (Audited)

Table 8

Basic salary
and fees
 (a) 

€ 000

Benefits
 (b)

€ 000

Annual Bonus Plan

Cash
element
 (c)

€ 000 

Deferred
shares
 (c)

€ 000 

Long-
Term
Incentives
(d)

€ 000 

Retirement
benefits
expense
 (e)

Total

Total
(f)

€ 000 

€ 000 € 000

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

Executive Directors

M. Carton

 570 

 550 

M. Lee

 1,180   1,150 

A. Manifold 

 825 

 800 

M. Towe 

 1,016   1,012 

 13 

 23 

 31 

 59 

 13 

 23 

 31 

 61 

 203 

 183 

 421 

 383 

 294 

 266 

 915 

 708 

 3,591   3,512 

 126 

 128 

 1,833   1,540 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 54 

 54 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 373 

 1,559 

 551 

 604 

 3,087 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 187 

 175 

 1,346 

 921 

 980 

 980 

 4,163   2,536 

 290 

 288 

 1,991   1,385 

 203 

 202 

 2,851   1,983 

 1,660   1,645 

 10,351   6,825 

(a) Basic Salary and Fees: Salary levels for executive Directors increased by between 2.6% and 3.8% in 2013, the first increases since 2009 for 

Irish-based Directors. The increases were in line with general trends in CRH operations around the world.

(b) Benefits: For executive Directors these relate principally to the use of company cars and medical/life assurance. 

(c) Annual Bonus Plan: Under the executive Directors’ annual bonus plan for 2013, a bonus is payable for meeting clearly defined and stretch 

targets and strategic goals. The structure of the 2013 plan is set out on pages 66 and 67. 

(d) Long-Term Incentives: Amounts in the Long-Term Incentive column reflect the value of performance share awards made in 2011, which will 

vest on 26 February 2014; the vesting level is 49%. For the purposes of this table the value of the vesting has been estimated using a share 
price of €18.08, being the three month average share price to 31 December 2013. The structure of the 2006 Performance Share Plan is set out 
on page 68. For Mr. Lee the amount also reflects the outcome of the 2009 Chief Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan (€778,127), the structure 
of which is set out on page 71. The share options granted in 2011 will lapse.

(e) Retirement Benefits Expense: The Irish Finance Act 2006 effectively established a cap on pension provision by introducing a penalty tax 
charge on pension assets in excess of the higher of €5 million or the value of individual prospective pension entitlements as at 7 December 
2005. This cap was further reduced by the Irish Finance Act 2011 to €2.3 million and, by the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013, to €2 million. As a result 
of these legislative changes, the Remuneration Committee has decided that executive Directors who are members of Irish pension schemes 
should have the option of continuing to accrue pension benefits as previously, or of choosing an alternative arrangement, by accepting 
pension benefits limited by the cap, with a similar overall cost to the Group. Maeve Carton, Myles Lee and Albert Manifold chose to opt for the 
alternative arrangement which involved capping their pensions in line with the provisions of the Finance Acts and receiving a supplementary 
taxable non-pensionable cash allowance, in lieu of prospective pension benefits foregone. These allowances are similar in value to the 
reduction in the Company’s liability represented by the pension benefit foregone. They are calculated based on actuarial advice as the 
equivalent of the reduction in the Company’s liability to each individual and spread over the term to retirement as annual compensation 
allowances. For 2013 the compensation allowances amount to €980,000 (2012: €980,000) for Myles Lee; €290,190 (2012: €288,117) for Albert 
Manifold and €187,141 (2012: €174,931) for Maeve Carton.

(f)

Long-term incentive awards, with a performance period which ended in 2012, lapsed.  

66  CRH

 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

metric. Also, Group RONA performance 
reduced to under 6% and, therefore, was below 
a level which would have resulted in a payout. 

The cash flow outcome reflected strong 
discipline in relation to cash management, 
which resulted in net debt remaining broadly 
in line with 2012 despite a total spend of  
€1.2 billion on acquisitions, investments and 
capital expenditure. The payout level was 52% 
of maximum for the cash flow element. 

There was a higher level of cash flow payout 
for Mr. Towe, who also received a payment in 
relation to Oldcastle’s profit level for the year, 
where the outcome was 70% of maximum.  
Mr. Towe’s other targets were based on 
performance in the Americas Divisions. 
Overall, Mr. Towe’s bonus payout reflected the 
improvements in the performance of the 
Group’s operations in the Americas which 
represent 60.5% of Group EBITDA and which 
saw like-for-like sales up 5% in the second half 
of the year and improved EBITDA margins in 
all three Americas segments (Materials, 
Products and Distribution).

The payouts in relation to the personal 
components reflect achievements in a range of 
areas such as shown in table 11.

Payout levels under the Annual Bonus Plan 
between 2009 and 2013 are shown in table 12.

2013 Annual Bonus Components and Payout Levels

Table 10

M. Lee
% of Salary

A. Manifold 
% of Salary

M. Carton
% of Salary

M. Towe
% of Salary

Component

CRH EPS

CRH Cash Flow

CRH RONA

Oldcastle* Group PBIT**

Oldcastle* Cash Flow

Oldcastle* RONA

Personal/Strategic

Target  Max Payout

Target  Max Payout

Target  Max Payout

Target  Max Payout

35.0

20.0

10.0

 -

 - 

 - 

52.5

30.0

15.0

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

15.6

-

-

-

-

35.0

20.0

10.0

-

 - 

 - 

52.5

30.0

15.0

-

 - 

 - 

-

15.6

-

-

-

-

35.0

20.0

10.0

 - 

 - 

 - 

52.5

30.0

15.0

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

15.6

-

-

-

-

15.0

22.5

80.0

120.0

20.0

35.6

15.0

22.5

80.0

120.0

20.0

35.6

15.0

22.5

80.0

120.0

20.0

35.6

20.0

30.0

- 

 -  

25.0

20.0

10.0

15.0

 - 

 - 

37.5

30.0

15.0

22.5

90.0

135.0

-

-

-

35.0

27.8

14.0

18.5

95.3

*   Oldcastle is the holding company for the Group’s operations in the Americas
**  PBIT is defined as earnings before interest and taxes

Directors

Strong delivery in relation to:

Table 11

M. Lee/A. Manifold

Senior executive team performance and succession; fundamental re-evaluation of the Group’s development strategy; ongoing progress in 
relation to cost reduction and capital expenditure management; effective, clear and consistent investor engagement and communications; 
and ongoing progress in relation to operational excellence, health & safety initiatives and personal development objectives. 

M. Carton

M. Towe

Restructuring of Finance organisation; co-ordination of debt and equity investor programmes; successful completion of two bond issues in 
2013 at the lowest ever coupons obtained by the Group; continued progress in the programme to mitigate the Group’s defined benefit 
pension liabilities; review of the organisation of the Group’s IT infrastructure.

Significant input into the Group’s talent management process; leadership and direction for operational excellence and health & safety 
initiatives in the Americas; continued delivery in relation to acquisitions and the flow of development opportunities.

CRH  67

Structure of Annual Bonus Plan 2009 - 2013Table 9Components:  (i) Personal, safety and strategic goals(ii) Profit and EPS growth targets(iii) Cash flow generation targets(iv) Return on net assets targets (RONA)Approx. weighting20% individual80% profits,  cash flow and returnsThe performance-related incentive plan is based on achieving clearly defined and stretch annual targets and strategic goalsTarget Performance: –Europe-based executive Directors     80% of basic salary –US-based executive Directors     90% of basic salaryA maximum payout of 1.5 times these levels (i.e. 120%/135%) is payable for a level of performance well in excess of targetDeferral Element:Any portion of the annual bonus that exceeds Target Performance is deferred into CRH shares for 3 years (i.e. up to 1/3 of the annual bonus). Depending on the circumstances, leavers may forfeit deferred shares.  
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Annual Bonus Levels as a Percentage of Salary 2009 - 2013

Table 12

150%
130%
110%
90%
70%
50%
30%
10%

2009
2010
2011
2012
2013

Maximum Payout for  
US-based Director = 135% 
Irish-based Directors = 120%

Target Payout for  
US-based Director = 90% 
Irish-based Directors = 80%

Myles Lee
26%
25%
46%
33%
36%

Albert Manifold
26%
25%
46%
33%
36%

Maeve Carton*
-
25%
46%
33%
36%

 Mark Towe
35%
35%
44%
70%
95%

Actual Bonus Payouts in period 
2009 to 2013 ranged from: 
35% - 95% for US Director  
25% - 46% for Irish Directors

*   Appointed to the Board in May 2010

2006 Performance Share Plan 
The Performance Share Plan (the “2006 PSP”), 
which was approved by shareholders in May 
2006, is tied to Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
over a three-year performance period. Half of 
the award is assessed against TSR for a group of 
global building materials companies and the 
other half against TSR for the constituents of 
the Eurofirst 300 Index as summarised  
in table 15.

The performance criteria for the 2006 PSP are 
set out in table 16. Participants are not 
entitled to any dividends (or other 
distributions made) and have no right to vote 
in respect of the shares subject to the award, 
until the shares vest.

The rules of the 2006 PSP provide that no 
award, or portion of an award, which has 
satisfied the TSR performance criteria should 
be released unless the Remuneration 
Committee has confirmed the validity of the 
TSR performance and reviewed EPS 
performance to assess its consistency with the 
objectives of the assessment.

In respect of the award made in 2011, in 
February 2014, the Remuneration Committee 
determined that 49% of the award had vested. 
The Company’s TSR performance, which was 
reviewed by the Remuneration Committee’s 
remuneration consultants, was between the 
50th and the 75th percentiles when assessed 
against both the Eurofirst 300 Index and the 
building materials sector. Prior to making its 
vesting determination in each case, the 
Remuneration Committee satisfied itself that 
the TSR outcome was valid and had not been 
significantly affected by unusual events or 
extraneous factors.

For the purpose of the remuneration single 
figure calculation (see total column in table 8), 
awards have been valued based on the 
three-month average share price to 31 
December 2013 of €18.08.

During 2013, the Remuneration Committee 
determined that 0% of the award made under 
the 2006 PSP in 2010 had vested. Accordingly, 
the award lapsed in full. 

Historic Vesting of 2006 Performance Share Plan Awards

Table 13

2006 award; vested/lapsed in 2009

75.0%

25.0%

2007 award; vested/lapsed in 2010

2008 award; vested/lapsed in 2011

50.0%

46.2%

2009 award; vested/lapsed in 2012 16.6%

83.4%

2010 award; vested/lapsed in 2013

100%

2011 award; vested/lapsed in 2014

49.1%

Average vested/lapsed

39.5%

50.0%

53.8%

50.9%

60.5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Vested

Lapsed

68  CRH

Details of outstanding awards to Directors 
under the 2006 PSP are provided in table 25. 
Outstanding awards are subject to the 
performance conditions outlined in table 16. 
The 2006 PSP currently has 166 active 
participants.

2010 Share Option Scheme 
At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, 
shareholders approved the introduction of the 
current Earnings Per Share (EPS) based share 
option scheme (the “2010 Scheme”). Options 
were granted at the market price of the 
Company’s shares at the time of grant. The 
vesting period for options is three years, with 
vesting only occurring once an initial EPS 
performance target has been reached. Awards 
under the 2010 Scheme were limited to 150% 
of salary.

The performance criteria for the 2010 Scheme 
were agreed with the Irish Association of 
Investment Managers (the “IAIM”) and are set 
out in table 17. The performance targets were 
designed to provide for proportionately more 
vesting for higher levels of EPS growth. 

Vesting levels are subject to any reduction 
which the Remuneration Committee deems 
appropriate in the context of the overall results 
of the Group. 

The initial grant of options under the 2010 Scheme 
made in 2010 did not meet the EPS performance 
criteria set out in table 17 and, accordingly, the 
options lapsed on the third anniversary of the date 
of grant. Similarly, the grant made in 2011 will 
lapse in full in April 2014. 

Details of awards to Directors under the 2010 
Scheme are provided in tables 26 and 27. 

The Remuneration Committee has 
discretionary powers regarding the 
implementation of the rules of the 2010 
Scheme. These powers have not been exercised 
since the adoption of the 2010 Scheme. 

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Peer Group used to assess TSR performance for the 2006 PSP Award made in 2011

Table 14

Boral

Buzzi Unicem 

Cemex

Grafton Group 

Home Depot 

Italcementi 

Titan Cement

Travis Perkins

Kingspan Group

Vulcan Materials

Lafarge

Wienerberger

Heidelberg Cement 

Martin Marietta Materials 

Wolseley

Holcim

Saint Gobain

The above peer group also applied to the award made in 2010, which had a 0% vesting

TSR Performance Test for the 2006 PSP Award made in 2011

Table 15

Peer Group Test (below)

Eurofirst 300 Index Test

Total to Vest/Lapse in 2014

TSR performance 2011-2013: 
Between 50th and 75th  
percentile

TSR performance 2011-2013: 
Between 50th and 75th  
percentile

- 32.87% vested

- 17.13% lapsed

- 16.24% vested

- 33.76% lapsed

2006 Performance Share Plan Metrics

3-year TSR* performance compared to  
peer group/Eurofirst 300 index

Vesting level

Equal to or greater than 75th percentile 

100%

Vested: 49.11% 

Lapsed: 50.89% 

Table 16

Between 50th and 75th percentile

Straight line between 30% and 100%

Equal to 50th percentile

Below 50th percentile

30%

0%

*  The methodology for calculating TSR assumes all dividends are reinvested on the ex-dividend date at the 
closing share price on that day; the open and close price is based on the closing price on the last day before 
the start of the performance period and the final day of the performance period respectively.

2010 Share Option Scheme Metrics

Table 17

Compound EPS* Growth Performance over three years 

Awarded in 2010 & 2011

Awarded in 2012 & 2013

Vesting Level

Equal to or greater than 27.5% p.a.

Equal to or greater than 20% p.a. 100%

Between 17.5% and 27.5% p.a.

Between 13% and 20% p.a.

Straight line between 40% and 100%

Between 12.5% and 17.5% p.a.

Between 10% and 13% p.a.

Straight line between 20% and 40%

Equal to 12.5% p.a.

Equal to 10% p.a.

Less than 12.5% p.a.

Less than 10% p.a.

20%

0%

*  The EPS figure used for the purposes of the 2010 Scheme is the basic consolidated earnings per share of the 
Company for the accounting period concerned as shown in the annual report issued by the Company for that 
accounting period.

2000 Share Option Scheme 
At the Annual General Meeting held in 2000, 
shareholders approved the introduction of a 
share option scheme (the 2000 Scheme). This 
scheme was superceded by the 2010 Scheme 
referred to above. No awards have been made 
under the 2000 Scheme since 2009. The 
performance criteria for the 2000 Scheme are 
set out in the notes to table 27.

Retirement Benefit Expense
Mr. Lee, Mr. Manifold and Ms. Carton 
participate in a defined benefit pension scheme 

up to the pension cap. There was, therefore, no 
additional accrual in the year. They received a 
cash pension supplement, which is detailed in 
table 8. Mr. Towe received a contribution of 
20% of base salary into this pension. 

Details regarding pension entitlements for the 
executive Directors are set out in tables 18  
and 19.

Former Chief Executive

Myles Lee retired as Chief Executive, and from 
the Board, on 31 December 2013. The 

treatment of his long-term incentive awards are 
dealt with below. Mr. Lee received a bonus in 
respect of performance to the end of 2013 as 
outlined above. He did not receive any 
payment in lieu of notice.

Outstanding Share Incentive Awards
Mr. Lee’s outstanding awards under the 2006 
PSP, the 2010 Scheme and the 2000 Scheme 
are set out in tables 25 and 26 on pages 72 and 
73. The Remuneration Committee has 
determined that the arrangements outlined in 
table 20 should apply in relation to those 
awards.

Chief Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan  
Mr. Lee also participated in a long-term 
incentive plan (the “2009 CEO LTIP”), a cash 
award incorporating targets set for the five-year 
period 2009-2013. 

The 2009 CEO LTIP, the structure of which was 
the same as for LTIPs put in place for previous 
CRH Chief Executives, and which incorporated 
challenging goals in respect of TSR by 
comparison with a peer group, growth in EPS 
and the strategic development of the Group is 
summarised in table 21.

The EPS target for the 2009 CEO LTIP was set 
at a time when it was difficult to foresee the 
full extent of the impact that the 2008 
financial crisis would have on the Group’s 
markets. In this context, the Committee has 
determined that the EPS component had a 0% 
vesting, reflecting EPS performance in the 
period since 2009. 

TSR performance was above the median 
compared to the sector peer group (listed in 
table 22) and, therefore, 17.7% of the awards 
vested. 

As with the EPS targets, the strategic/
qualitative goals were set in early 2009 before 
the extent of the economic environment which 
prevailed throughout the period of the 2009 
CEO LTIP was fully clear. The Group Chairman 
undertook a detailed review of the performance 
and achievements of the Chief Executive 
during the period in the context of those goals 
and the factors which had impacted the Group 
over the past five years, including:

 – the cost reduction measures to defend 

profitability (€2.4 billion), which resulted in 
significant organisational change over the 
past five years at regional and national level;

 – the strong focus on cash generation and 

dividend maintenance;

 – the initiation of the portfolio review process 
which laid much of the ground work for the 
review currently being carried out by the 
new Chief Executive;

 – the focussed and selective approach to 

development activity involving a cumulative 
spend since 2009 of €2.9 billion;

 – significant progress in building up CRH’s 

CRH  69

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Pension Entitlements - Defined Benefit (Audited)

Table 18

Increase in 
accrued 
personal pension 
during 2013 
(i)

Transfer value 
of increase in 
dependents’ 
pension 
(i)

Total accrued 
personal 
pension at 
year-end 
(ii)

€ 000

€ 000

€ 000

-

-

-

-

46

19

267

273

266

Executive Directors

 M. Lee 

 A. Manifold

 M. Carton

(i)  As noted on page 66, the pensions of Myles Lee, Albert Manifold and Maeve Carton have been 

capped in line with the provisions of the Irish Finance Acts. However, dependents’ pensions continue 
to accrue resulting in Greenbury transfer values which have been calculated on the basis of actuarial 
advice. These amounts do not represent sums paid out or due, but are the amounts that the pension 
scheme would transfer to another pension scheme in relation to benefits accrued in 2013 in the 
event of these Directors leaving service. 

(ii)  The accrued pensions shown are those which would be payable annually from normal retirement 

date, except in the case of Myles Lee whose pension is payable from 31 December 2013. Myles Lee 
reached his normal retirement age date on 3 May 2013 and opted to commute in part his pension for 
a lump sum of €575,000. He deferred payment of his pension until 31 December 2013.

Pension Entitlements - Defined Contribution (Audited)

Table 19

The accumulated liablilities related to the unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans  
for Mark Towe are as follows:

As at 
31 December 
2012 
€ 000

2013 
Contribution 
€ 000

2013 
Notional 
interest 
€ 000

Translation 
adjustment 
€ 000

As at  
31 December 
2013 
€ 000

Executive Director

M. Towe 

1,731

191

(iii)

85

(84)

1,923

(iii)   Notional interest, which is calculated based on the average bid yields of United States Treasury 

fixed-coupon securities with remaining terms to maturity of approximately 20 years, plus 1.5%, is 
credited to the above plans.

Outstanding Share Incentive Awards - Former Chief Executive

Table 20

Treatment of Outstanding Awards

 – 2011 award lapses in full (see commentary above)

2010 Share 
Option Scheme

 – 2012 award subject to performance in respect of period 2012 – 2014 to be 

measured at the normal time; award will be pro-rated for time

 – No award granted in 2013

2006 
Performance 
Share Plan

 – 2011 award will vest based on performance to 31 December 2013; determined to 

be at 49% of maximum (see commentary above)

 – 2012 award subject to performance in respect of period 2012 – 2014 to be 

measured at the normal time; award will be pro-rated for time

 – No award granted in 2013

2000 Share 
Option Scheme

 – Vested awards must be exercised within 12 months of retirement, i.e. by 31 

December 2014, or the expiry date of the option if earlier

 – Unvested awards will remain subject to performance and may be exercised for 12 

months from vesting

70  CRH

organisation structure in China and India 
and the establishment of CRH’s Asia 
headquarters in Singapore; 

 – the upgrading of the Group’s talent 

management structures; and

 – mentoring, guiding and supporting 

executives who have transitioned to the most 
senior roles in the organisation. 

The Remuneration Committee considered the 
report and determined that the appropriate 
payout for the strategic component was 16% 
out of a maximum of 20%. 

This results in an overall payout level of 33.7% 
and earnings under the 2009 CEO LTIP of 
€778,127. 

The payment under the 2009 CEO LTIP, which 
will be made in 2014, will be made in cash and 
is not pensionable.

Consultancy Agreement
At the request of the current Chief Executive, the 
outgoing Chief Executive, Myles Lee, has entered 
into an agreement to provide consultancy 
services to the Group, for a maximum of 40 days 
per year at a rate of €2,500 per day. As a result, 
the Group will retain access to Mr. Lee’s 
significant knowledge of the industry and he will, 
when required, provide support to the Chief 
Executive.

Directors’ Interests in Shares and Share 
Scheme Awards

Share Scheme Awards
A summary of share scheme awards made to 
executive Directors in 2013 are set out in table 
24. Details of outstanding performance share 
awards and share options held by executive 
Directors are shown in tables 25 and 26.

Shareholding Guidelines for Executive Directors
The Remuneration Committee adopted a policy 
in 2013 whereby executive Directors are 
required to build up (and maintain), within five 
years of appointment, a minimum holding in 
CRH shares which is equivalent to one times 
basic salary. For existing executive Directors 
this level must be achieved by 31 December 
2015, unless the executive Director has a 
significant change in role which results in a 
step change in salary, in which case the one 
times salary level must be achieved within five 
years of the change. 

Mr. Manifold’s shareholding as at 31 December 
2013 was 0.85 times his salary as Chief 
Operating Officer. As Chief Executive, based on 
his new salary, his holding fell to 0.6 times his 
salary on 1 January 2014. Mr. Manifold will be 
required to meet the shareholding guideline by 
31 December 2017. 

The current shareholdings of executive 
Directors as a multiple of 2014 salary is shown 
in table 23.

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

2009 Chief Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan

Table 21

Components: 

Weighting:

Maximum earning potential:

(i)  Earnings Per Share target
(ii)  Total Shareholder Return
(iii) Strategic / Qualitative goals

40%
40%
40%
40%
20%
20%

40% of aggregate basic salary 
Potential of 
€2,312,000

 Targets

Potential vesting level:

Vesting level  
at 31 Dec 2013

(i)  Aggregate EPS 2009 - 2013

- Maximum payout at 960 cent 
- Between threshold and maximum 
- Threshold at 750 cent

100% 
Straight line between 0% and 100% 
0%

0%

(ii) TSR versus peer group*

(iii) Strategic/Qualitative

- Equal to/greater than 75th percentile  
- Between 50th and 75th percentile 
- Equal to 50th percentile  
- Below 50th percentile

100% 
Straight line between 25% and 100% 
25% 
0%

17.7%
(44% of 40%)

- Maintaining appropriate balance for CRH in prevailing circumstances 
- Development of future growth platforms 
- Developing the appropriate organisation structure for CRH’s businesses 
- Ensuring orderly succession at senior management levels

16%

Total: 33.7%

Table 22

* Peer Group used to assess TSR Performance for 2009 CEO LTIP

Cemex

Ciments Français

Eagle Materials 

Holcim 

Italcementi

Lafarge

Martin Marietta Materials 

Saint Gobain

Titan Cement

Vulcan Materials

Wienerberger

Wolseley

As part of the remuneration review carried out 
in 2013, the Remuneration Committee 
considered whether the shareholding level 
should be increased, particularly in relation to 
the Chief Executive role. The Remuneration 
Committee concluded that, as the guidelines 
were only recently introduced, it was not 
appropriate to increase the requirement at this 
time. However, the Committee will look to 
increase shareholding guidelines in the future 
as the Chief Executive builds on his existing 
holding.

Shareholdings of Directors and Company 
Secretary as at 31 December 2013
Shareholdings of the Directors and Company 
Secretary as at 31 December 2013 are shown in 
table 28.

Executive Director Shareholdings

Table 23

No. of  
Shares 

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

 1.8x* 
times salary

M. Carton

 0.6x* 
times 2014 salary
 0.85x 
times 2013 salary

A. Manifold

 1.4x* 
times salary

M. Towe

*  The salary multiples in the above table are based only on shares held by the executive Directors;  

it excludes holdings of unvested Performance Share Plan awards and unexercised/unvested share options. 
The shareholdings are calculated based on the share price at 31 December 2013 of €18.30 (£15.26).

CRH  71

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Summary of Scheme Interests Granted in 2013

Directors

Scheme

Basis of award 
(% of salary)

Number of 
shares

Face value

Exercise  
price

Table 24

Percentage vesting  
at threshold 
performance 
(% of maximum)

Performance 
period end date

A. Manifold

M. Carton

M. Towe

2006 PSP 
(conditional shares)

2010 Share Option 
Plan (market value 
options)

2006 PSP 
(conditional shares)

2010 Share Option 
Plan (market value 
options)

2006 PSP 
(conditional shares)

2010 Share Option 
Plan (market value 
options)

141%

72,000

€1,165,680

n/a

30%

31-Dec-15

132%

67,500

€1,092,825

€16.19

142%

50,000

€809,500

n/a

133%

47,000

€760,930

€16.19

143%

90,000

€1,457,100

n/a

20%

30%

20%

30%

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-15

135%

85,000

€1,376,150

€16.19

20%

31-Dec-15

Directors’ Awards under the 2006 Performance Share Plan (i) (Audited)

31 December
2012

Granted in 
 2013

Released in 
 2013 (ii)

Lapsed in 
2013 (ii)

31 December 
2013

Performance 
Period

Release 
 Date

M. Carton

M. Lee

A. Manifold

M. Towe

 10,000 

 42,000 

 50,000 

 -  

 102,000 

 75,000 

 88,000 

 100,000 

 263,000 

 55,000 

 62,000 

 70,000 

 -  

 187,000 

 60,000 

 68,000 

 90,000 

 -  
 218,000 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 50,000 

 50,000 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 72,000 

 72,000 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 90,000 
 90,000 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  
 -  

 10,000 

 -  

 01/01/10 - 31/12/12 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 42,000 

 01/01/11 - 31/12/13  February 2014 

 50,000 

 01/01/12 - 31/12/14  February 2015 

 50,000 

 01/01/13 - 31/12/15  February 2016 

 10,000 

 142,000 

 75,000 

 -  

 01/01/10 - 31/12/12 

 -  

 -  

88,000 

 01/01/11 - 31/12/13  February 2014 

100,000 

 01/01/12 - 31/12/14  February 2015

 75,000 

188,000 

 55,000 

 -  

 01/01/10 - 31/12/12 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 62,000 

 01/01/11 - 31/12/13  February 2014 

 70,000 

 01/01/12 - 31/12/14  February 2015 

 72,000 

 01/01/13 - 31/12/15  February 2016 

 55,000 

 204,000 

 60,000 

 -  

 01/01/10 - 31/12/12 

 -  

 -  

 -  
 60,000 

 68,000 

 01/01/11 - 31/12/13  February 2014 

 90,000 

 01/01/12 - 31/12/14  February 2015 

 90,000 
 248,000 

 01/01/13 - 31/12/15  February 2016 

Table 25

Market
Price in euro
on award

 18.51 

 16.52 

 15.19 

 16.19 

 18.51 

 16.52 

 15.19 

 18.51 

 16.52 

 15.19 

 16.19 

 18.51 

 16.52 

 15.19 

 16.19 

(i) 

Performance Share Plan: This is a long-term share incentive plan under which share awards are granted in the form of a provisional allocation of shares for which no exercise price is 
payable. The shares scheduled for release in February 2014, February 2015 and February 2016 will be allocated to the extent that the relative TSR performance conditions are achieved. 
The structure of the Performance Share Plan is set out on page 68. 

(ii) 

In 2013, the Remuneration Committee determined that none of the 2010 award had vested and accordingly the awards lapsed.

72  CRH

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Directors’ Share Options (Audited)

Table 26

Details of movements on outstanding options and those exercised during the year are set out in the table below 

31 December
2012

Granted in 
 2013

Lapsed in 
2013

Exercised in 
2013

31 December
2013

 M. Carton 

 55,831 

 24,398 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 11,090 

 127,500 

 47,000 

 M. Lee 

 1,752 

 308,435 

 83,175 

 275,000 

 1,752 

 A. Manifold 

 166,445 

 M. Towe 

 33,270 

 192,500 

 2,236 

  160,806 

 49,905 

 230,000 

 35,000 

 1,752 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 23,270 

 44,360 

 85,000 

 1,752 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 55,831 

 (a) 

 13,308 

 (b) 

 139,500 

 (c) 

 - 

 (d) 

 285,165 

 (a) 

 38,815 

 (b) 

 190,000 

 (c) 

 - 

 (d) 

 166,445 

 (a) 

 67,500 

 60,000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 85,000 

 70,000 

 16,635 

 16,635 

 (b) 

 - 

 - 

 200,000 

 (c) 

 2,236 

 (e) 

 5,381 

 155,425 

 (a) 

 - 

 - 

 49,905 

 (b) 

 245,000 

 (c) 

 1,713,005 

 199,500 

 253,504 

 100,736 

 1,558,265 

Options by Price (Audited)

Weighted  
average option 
price at  
31 December
2013

Options exercised during 2013

Weighted  
average  
exercise
price

Weighted  
average market 
price at date of 
exercise

€

 25.75 

 15.07 

 15.89 

 - 

 20.19 

 15.07 

 15.75 

 - 

 21.97 

 15.07 

 15.90 

 13.64 

 23.05 

 15.09 

 15.88 

€

 - 

€

 - 

11.86 

17.08 

 - 

 - 

11.86 

11.86 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

16.62 

16.62 

 - 

 - 

 - 

11.86 

16.62 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

15.09 

17.43 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

€

11.8573

11.8573

15.0674

15.0674

15.0854

15.0854

18.7463

18.8545

26.1493

29.4855

29.8643

21.5235

16.58

18.39

16.38

15.19

16.19

18.3946

13.64

31 December 
2012

Granted in 
 2013

Lapsed in
2013

Exercised in 
2013

31 December 
2013

Earliest  
exercise date

23,270

 72,085 

 38,815 

 68,758 

 27,725 

 49,905 

 72,085 

 27,725 

 105,355 

 86,502 

 36,043 

 143,997 

 130,000 

 250,000 

 265,000 

 310,000 

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 199,500 

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 250,000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 3,504 

 2,236 

 - 

 - 

 3,504 

 - 

23,270

 72,085 

 - 

 - 

 5,381 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 38,815 

 68,758 

 22,344 

 49,905 

 72,085 

 27,725 

 105,355 

 86,502 

 36,043 

 143,997 

 130,000 

 - 

 265,000 

 310,000 

 199,500 

 - 

 2,236 

 (a) 

 (b) 

 (a) 

 (b) 

 (a) 

 (b) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (c) 

 (c) 

 (c) 

 (c) 

 (d) 

 (e) 

February 2014

February 2014

February 2014

February 2014

 1,713,005 

 199,500 

 253,504 

 100,736 

 1,558,265 

The market price of the Company’s shares at 31 December 2013 was €18.30 and the range 
during 2013 was €14.68 to €19.30.
(a)  Granted under the 2000 Share Option Scheme, these options are only exercisable when EPS 
growth exceeds the growth of the Irish Consumer Price Index by 5% compounded over a 
period of at least three years subsequent to the granting of the options.

(b) Granted under the 2000 Share Option Scheme, these options are only exercisable if, over a 
period of at least five years subsequent to the granting of the options, the growth in EPS 
exceeds the growth of the Irish Consumer Price Index by 10% compounded and places the 

Company in the top 25% of EPS performance of a peer group of international building 
materials and other manufacturing companies. If below the 75th percentile, these options are 
not exercisable.

(c)  Granted under the 2010 Share Option Scheme. Vesting will only occur once an initial 

performance target has been reached and, thereafter, will be dependent on performance.  
The performance criteria are set out in table 17 on page 69.
(d) Granted under the 2000 Savings-related Share Option Scheme.
(e)  Granted under the 2010 Savings-related Share Option Scheme.

CRH  73

August 2017

 January 2018 

Table 27

Expiry date

 April 2014 

 April 2014 

 April 2014 

 April 2014 

 April 2015 

 April 2015 

 April 2016 

 April 2017 

 April 2017 

  April 2018 

 April 2019 

 April 2021 

 April 2022 

 April 2023

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Directors’ Interests in Share Capital at 31 December 2013 (Audited)

Table 28

The interests of the Directors and Company Secretary in the shares of the Company, which are beneficial unless otherwise indicated, are shown below.  
The Directors and Company Secretary have no beneficial interests in any of the Group’s subsidiary, joint venture or associated undertakings. 

Ordinary Shares

Directors

E.J. Bärtschi

M. Carton

W.P. Egan

- Non-beneficial

U-H. Felcht

N. Hartery

J.M. de Jong

J.W. Kennedy

D.A. McGovern, Jr.

H.A. McSharry

A. Manifold

D.N. O’Connor

M. Towe

Secretary

N. Colgan

31 December 
2013

31 December 
2012

7,200

60,100

16,112

12,000

1,285

1,430

15,868

1,049

4,000

3,789

38,981

16,915

77,117

2,000

45,654

16,112

12,000

1,285

1,389

15,288

1,009

4,000 *

3,676

34,934

16,416

69,628 **

10,836

266,682 

10,747

234,138

There were no transactions in the above Directors’ and Secretary’s interests between 31 December 2013 and 24 February 2014. 

Of the above holdings, the following are held in the form of American Depository Receipts:

W.P. Egan

- Non-beneficial

D.A. McGovern, Jr.

31 December 
2013

31 December 
2012

 15,000 

 12,000 

 4,000 

 15,000 

 12,000 

 4,000 *

Mr. H. Rottinghuis became a Director on 18 February 2014. He did not have a holding of CRH shares on appointment and there were no transactions between 18 February 
and 24 February 2014.

*   Holding as at date of appointment.

**  Prior year balance adjusted to exclude 3,397 American Depository Shares held in a 401(K)(pension) plan as those shares constitute an asset of the pension plan and do 

not form part of Mr. Towe’s interests in CRH.

74  CRH

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Non-executive Directors

Remuneration Policy for 2014
The remuneration of non-executive Directors is 
determined by the Board of Directors as a 
whole. In determining the remuneration, the 
Board receives recommendations from a 
committee of the Chairman and the executive 
Directors. The Remuneration Committee 
determines the remuneration of the Chairman 
within the framework or broad policy agreed 
with the Board.

Fees for the non-executive Directors and the 
Chairman were reviewed during 2013. It was 
concluded that CRH’s fees are competitively 
positioned at present and should remain 
unchanged in 2014. 

Fees for 2014 are set out in table 29.

Remuneration Paid in 2013
Remuneration paid to non-executive Directors 
in 2013 is set out in table 30. 

Non-executive Director Fee Structure

Role

Group Chairman (including non-executive Director salary and fees for committee work)

Non-executive Director (basic salary and fees for committee work)

Additional fees:

Senior Independent Director/Remuneration Committee Chairman*

Audit Committee Chairman

Fee for Europe-based non-executive Directors

Fee for US-based non-executive Directors

Amount

€450,000

€90,000

€34,000

€34,000

€15,000

€30,000

* If the roles of Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair are not combined, fees of €25,000 and €15,000 apply respectively 

Individual Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2013 (Audited)

Basic  
salary and fees
(a)

€ 000

Benefits 
(b)

€ 000

Other 
remuneration 
(c)

€ 000

Table 29

Table 30

Total

€ 000

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

Non-executive Directors

E.J. Bärtschi

W.P. Egan 

U-H. Felcht 

N. Hartery (d)

J.M. de Jong 

J.W. Kennedy 

D.A. McGovern Jr. (e)

K. McGowan (d)

H.A. McSharry (f)

D.N. O'Connor

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 34 

 - 

 68 

 68 

 578

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 68 

 -  

 23 

 58 

 68 

557

 -  

 -  

 -  

 23 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

23

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

-

 48 

 52 

 37 

 382 

 60 

 37 

 26 

 - 

 22 

 56 

720

 37 

 52 

 37 

 237 

 71 

 37 

 -  

 122 

 19 

 44 

656

 116 

 120 

 105 

 473 

 128 

 105 

 60 

 -  

 90 

 124 

1,321

 105 

 120 

 105 

 305 

 139 

 105 

 -  

 145 

 77 

 112 

1,213

(a)  Fee levels for non-executive Directors were unchanged in 2013.

(b)  Benefits: In the case of Nicky Hartery the amount reflects the reimbursement of travel expenses from his residence to his Chairman’s office in Dublin, which have   

been grossed up for Irish tax purposes. 

(c)  Other Remuneration: Includes remuneration for Chairman, Board Committee work and allowances for non-executive Directors based outside of Ireland. 

(d)  Nicky Hartery became Chairman on 9 May 2012 succeeding Kieran McGowan who retired as a non-executive Director on the same date.

(e)  Don McGovern became a Director on 1 July 2013.

(f)  Heather Ann McSharry became a Director on 22 February 2012.

CRH  75

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Other Disclosures

Fees Paid to Former Directors
No payments have been made to former 
Directors in excess of the de minimis threshold 
of €20,000 per annum agreed by the 
Committee.

Executives’ External Appointments
Maeve Carton is a non-executive Director of the 
British and Irish Chamber of Commerce. Ms. 
Carton does not receive fees for carrying out 
this role.

Total Shareholder Return 
The value at 31 December 2013 of €100 
invested in 2003 and 2008 respectively, 
compared with the value of €100 invested in 
the Eurofirst 300 Index and the FTSE100 Index 
(which CRH joined in December 2011) is 
shown in the graphs in tables 35 and 36. 

Compound TSR growth since the formation of 
the Group in 1970 (assuming the reinvestment 
of dividends) is 15.7%.

Remuneration Paid to Chief Executive in  
past five years
Table 32 shows the total remuneration paid to 
the Chief Executive in the period 2009 to 2013 
inclusive and shows bonuses and vested  
long-term incentive awards as a percentage of 
the maximum bonus and award that could have 
been received in each year. 

The percentage increase in the Chief 
Executive’s salary in the period 2009 to 2013 is 
set out in table 3 on page 62. 

The percentage change in the Chief Executive’s 
salary, benefits and bonus between 2012 and 
2013 was as follows:

Salary  +2.6% 
Benefits  
0% 
Bonus  +9.9%

The combined percentage change was +4.4%. 

There was no change in the total average 
employment costs in respect of employees in 
the Group as a whole between 2012 and 2013.

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay

Table 33 sets out the amount paid by the Group 
in remuneration to employees compared to 
dividend distributions made to shareholders  
in 2012 and 2013. The average number  
of employees is set out in note 6 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements on page 115.

The Remuneration Committee and Advisors

The non-executive Directors who were 
members of the Remuneration Committee 
during 2013 are identified on page 59. There 
have been no changes in the membership of 
the Remuneration Committee to date in 2014. 
The attendance record at Committee meetings 
is set out on page 54.

76  CRH

Remuneration Committee’s  
time allocation - 2013/2014

Table 31

9%

11%

27%

53%

Remuneration review

Salary, bonus and benefits

Share scheme  
operation/awards/vesting levels

Arrangements for retiring CEO

Work of Committee in period between February 
2013 and February 2014

Between February 2013 and February 2014 the 
Remuneration Committee has met nine times. 
Table 31 sets out how the Remuneration 
Committee allocated its time in the last 12 
months. An overview of the remuneration 
review process, which was a significant focus 
for the Committee during this period, and the 
outcome of the review, is set out in the 
Remuneration Review section in the Committee 
Chairman’s statement on page 60.

Risk Policies and Systems 
During 2013, the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee reviewed with the 
Audit Committee the proposed changes to the 
Group’s remuneration structures, outlined in 
the Committee Chairman’s statement, from a 
risk perspective.

Remuneration Consultants
Prior to commencing work on the 
remuneration review, the Committee invited a 
number of leading experts to tender for the 
role of its remuneration advisor. Deloitte LLP 
was appointed. Deloitte are signatories to the 
Voluntary Code of Conduct in relation to 
executive remuneration consulting in the UK. 
The Committee is comfortable that the advice 
provided by Deloitte is robust and 
independent and that the Deloitte engagement 
partner and team that provide remuneration 
advice to the Committee do not have 
connections with CRH plc that may impair 
their independence.

During 2013 and to date in 2014, Deloitte 
provided the following remuneration services:

 – analysis of CRH’s existing remuneration 

structures;

 – research and advice regarding remuneration 
trends, best practice and remuneration levels 
for executive and non-executive Directors in 
companies of similar size and complexity;

 – guidance and advice in relation to the 
development of revised remuneration 
proposals and support services in relation to 
the shareholder consultation process;

 – preparation of rules of share incentive plans 
for executive Directors and below-Board 
executives, and the rules of the bonus 
deferral plan;

 – analysis of TSR workings in respect of 

vesting tests for the 2009 Chief Executive 
Long-Term Incentive Plan and awards under 
the 2006 Performance Share Plan;

 – advice in relation to remuneration matters 

generally; and 

 – attendance at Committee meetings, when 

required.

Deloitte also provide other consultancy 
services to the Company in relation to support 
for Internal Audit, when required, and in 
respect of talent management and human 
resources, taxation and sustainability.

In respect of work carried out by Deloitte on 
behalf of the Remuneration Committee in 2013, 
fees in the amount of €177,200 were incurred. 
Work in respect of the remuneration review 
was charged on the basis of fees agreed during 
the tender process. Additional work was based 
on time taken and expenses incurred.

Prior to the appointment of Deloitte, the 
Remuneration Committee’s advisor was Mercer.

2013 Annual General Meeting “Say on Pay” Vote 
The voting outcome in respect of CRH’s “Say on 
Pay” resolutions since the introduction of the 
vote at the Annual General Meeting in 2010 is 
set out in table 34. The percentage of votes in 
favour at the 2013 Annual General Meeting was 
97.8%, while the percentage of votes cast against 
the resolution was 2.2%. The number of votes 
withheld was 1,602,077 (0.2% of issued share 
capital). The total of votes in favour, against and 
withheld in respect of the 2013 “Say on Pay” 
resolution was 510,517,534 (70% of the shares 
in issue, excluding Treasury Shares). 

As referred to in the Chairman’s introduction to 
the Corporate Governance Report on page 40, 
the Chairman and the Remuneration 
Committee Chairman met with a number of the 
Group’s major shareholders in advance of the 
2013 Annual General Meeting. No issues of 
concern in relation to remuneration arose. As 
the voting was overwhelmingly in favour of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

“Say on Pay” resolution, following the meeting 
the Committee determined that there were no 
concerns with the Group’s remuneration 
structures that required investigation. 

The factors which led to the remuneration 
review carried out following the 2013 Annual 
General Meeting are set out in the Committee 
Chairman’s statement on page 60.

Myles Lee, Chief Executive 2009 - 2013 Inclusive 

Myles Lee, Chief Executive 2009 - 2013 inclusive 

Table 32

(€ million)

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

Notes 

€2.6m1

€2.6m

€2.9m

€2.5m

€4.2m

PSP: 
49%

LTIP: 
34%

50%3
22%2

46%
21%

17%

39%

27.8%

36%

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Other

Retirement Benefits

Long-Term Incentives

Bonus

Benefits

Salary

1.  Total remuneration paid to the Chief Executive in 2009 - 2013 inclusive. See table 8 on page 66 for 

further details in relation to remuneration paid in 2013.  

2.  Value of bonus award each year as a percentage of the maximum opportunity. 

3.  Value of vested long-term incentive awards as a percentage of the maximum opportunity; in respect of 
2013 the long-term incentive award value is made up of vestings under the 2006 Performance Share 
Plan (49% of maximum) and the 2009 CEO LTIP (33.7% of maximum). There was no long-term 
incentive vesting in relation to awards with a performance period ending in 2012. 

Relative Importance of Spend on Pay

CEO, Oldcastle

Table 33

€4,500 

€4,000 

€3,500 

€3,000 

€2,500 

€2,000 

€1,500 

€1,000 

€500

0

Total payment +1%

€455

€450

Dividends €m

+2.4%

€3,955

€3,862

Employees

Employees

75,600

73,900

-5.6%

€1,475

€1,563

Remuneration received by  
all employees €m

2013

2012

Earnings Before Interest Tax 
Depreciation and Amortisation 
(EBITDA) €m

Note: The increase in employment costs for all employees reflects an increase in employee numbers due to acquisitions and 
increased activity in the United States.

AGM Votes on Report on Directors’ Remuneration/“Say on Pay” 

Table 34

2013

2012

2011

2010

97.8%

96.6%

96.4%

98.5%

2.2%

3.4%

3.6%

1.5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

For

Against

CRH  77

 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

TSR Performance since 2003 (i)

Table 35

TSR Performance since 2008 (i)

Table 36

250.0

200.0

150.0

100.0

50.0

0.0

CRH

FTSE 100

Eurofirst 300

250.0

200.0

150.0

100.0

50.0

0.0

CRH

FTSE 100

Eurofirst 300

3
0
0
2

4
0
0
2

5
0
0
2

6
0
0
2

7
0
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

8
0
0
2

9
0
0
2

0
1
0
2

1
1
0
2

2
1
0
2

3
1
0
2

(i)  For the purposes of comparability, the FTSE100 Index has been converted to euro using the closing exchange rate at each year end.

Details of remuneration charged against profit in 2013

Directors’ Remuneration1 (Audited)

Notes

Executive Directors

Basic salary 

Performance-related incentive plan

 - cash element 

 - deferred shares element

Retirement benefits expense

Benefits

Provision for Chief Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan2

Total executive Directors’ remuneration 

2013
€ 000

Table 37

2012
€ 000

 3,591 

 3,512 

 1,833 

 54 

 1,660 

 126 

7,264

(1,062) 

 6,202

 1,540 

 -  

 1,645 

 128 

6,825

 460 

 7,285

Average number of executive Directors 

 4.00 

 4.00 

Non-executive Directors

Fees

Other remuneration

Benefits

Total non-executive Directors’ remuneration 

Average number of non-executive Directors

Payments to former Directors3

Total Directors’ remuneration

Notes to Directors’ remuneration

 578

 720 

23

 557 

656

-

 1,321 

 1,213 

 8.50

 23

 7,546

 8.20 

29

 8,527 

See analysis of 2013 remuneration by individual in tables 8 and 30.

As set out on page 69, former Chief Executive Myles Lee had a special long-term incentive plan tied to the achievement of exceptional growth and key strategic goals for the 
five-year period 2009 to 2013 with a total maximum earnings potential of 40% of aggregate basic salary, amounting to a potential €2,312,000. As detailed on page 70, the actual 
earnings under this plan amount to €778,127, payment of which will be made in 2014. Annual provisions of 40% of basic salary were made in respect of this plan for the years 
2009 through 2012 amounting in total to €1,840,000. The difference between the total provided for and the sum paid, which amounts to €1,061,873, is reflected as a reduction in 
the amount of total Directors’ remuneration for 2013. 
Consulting and other fees paid to a number of former Directors. 

1 

2 

3 

78  CRH

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Remuneration Policy Report

 – reflect the spread of the Group’s operations 

so that remuneration packages in each 
geographical area are appropriate and 
competitive for that area; and

 – reflect the risk policies of the Group. 

In setting remuneration levels, the 
Remuneration Committee takes into 
consideration the remuneration practices of 
other international companies of similar size 
and scope and trends in executive 
remuneration generally, in each of the regions 
in which the Company operates. The 
Remuneration Committee also takes into 
account the EU Commission’s 
recommendations on remuneration  
in listed companies. 

The following sets out the Group’s Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy (the “Policy”). As an 
Irish-incorporated company, CRH is not 
required to comply with section 439A of the 
UK Companies Act 2006 which requires UK 
companies to submit their remuneration policy 
to a binding shareholder vote. However, 
maintaining high levels of corporate 
governance is important to CRH and, therefore, 
the Company intends to submit this Policy to 
an advisory shareholder vote at the 2014 
Annual General Meeting. The Committee’s 
intention is to operate within this Policy unless 
it is not practical to do so in exceptional 
circumstances. As an Irish-incorporated 
company, CRH cannot rely on the statutory 
provisions applicable to UK companies under 
the 2013 UK Regulations which, in certain 
circumstances, can resolve any inconsistency 
between a remuneration policy and any 
contractual or other right of a Director. In the 
event there were to be such an inconsistency 
the Company may be obliged to honour any 
such right, notwithstanding it may be 
inconsistent with the Policy. This Policy will 
apply to payments made from the date of the 
2014 Annual General Meeting.

The Remuneration Committee’s aim is to make 
sure that CRH’s pay structures are fair, 
responsible and competitive, in order that CRH 
can attract and retain staff of the calibre 
necessary for it to compete in all of its markets.

The Group’s remuneration structures are 
designed to drive performance and link 
rewards to responsibility and the individual 
contribution of executives. It is policy to grant 
participation in the Group’s performance-
related plans to key management to encourage 
identification with shareholders’ interests and 
to create a community of interest among 
different regions and nationalities. 

The Policy, which is derived from the overall 
Group policy, is designed to:

 – help attract and retain Directors of the 
highest calibre who can bring their 
experience and independent views to the 
policy, strategic decisions and governance of 
CRH;

 – properly reward and motivate executive 

Directors to perform in the long-term interest 
of the shareholders;

 – provide an appropriate blend of fixed and 

variable remuneration and short and 
long-term incentives for executive Directors;

 – complement CRH’s strategy of fostering 

entrepreneurship in its regional companies 
by rewarding the creation of shareholder 
value through organic and acquisitive 
growth;

CRH  79

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Policy table

Further details regarding the operation of the Policy for the 2014 financial year can be found on pages 62 to 65 of the Annual Statement on Remuneration

Table 38

Fixed

Element

Base salary

Purpose and  
link to strategy

•  Competitive salaries help to attract and retain staff with the 
experience and knowledge required to enable the Group to 
compete in its markets.

Pension

Benefits

•  Pension arrangements provide competitive and appropriate 

•  To provide a market-competitive level of benefits for executive Directors.

retirement plans.

•  Given the long-term nature of the business, pension is an 
important part of the remuneration package to support 
creation of value and succession planning. 

Operation

•  Base salaries are set by the Committee taking into account:

•  Irish-based executive Directors participate in a contributory 

•  The Committee’s policy is to set benefit provision at an appropriate market competitive level taking into account market practice, the level of 

 – the size and scope of the executive Director’s role and 

defined benefit scheme. 

responsibilities;

 – the individual’s skills, experience and performance;

 – salary levels at FTSE listed companies of a similar size and 
complexity to CRH and other international construction 
and building materials companies; and

 – pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group.

•  Base salary is normally reviewed annually with changes 

generally effective on 1 January, although the Committee 
may make an out-of-cycle increase if it considers it to be 
appropriate.

•  The US-based executive Director participates in a defined 
contribution scheme and in an unfunded Supplemental 
Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).

assurance. 

•  The defined benefit scheme which the Directors participate 

Executive could not work for a period of more than six months, in lieu of the early ill-health retirement provisions in the pension scheme which 

in is closed to new entrants. 

would otherwise operate in such cases, he shall be entitled to receive a disability salary of €1,000,000 per annum. Such payment would cease 

•  For new appointments to the Board, the Committee may 
determine that alternative pension provisions will operate 
(for example a defined contribution scheme or cash 
contribution). When determining pension arrangements for 
new appointments, the Committee will give regard to existing 
entitlements, the cost of the arrangements, market practice 
and the pension arrangements received elsewhere in the 
Group.

Maximum  
opportunity

•  Base salaries are set at a level which the Committee 

•  The defined benefit pension is provided through an Irish 

•  The level of benefit provided will depend on the cost of providing individual items and the individual’s circumstances, and therefore the 

considers to be appropriate taking into consideration the 
factors outlined in the “operation” section. 

•  While there is no maximum base salary, normally increases 
will be in line with the typical level of increase awarded to 
other employees in the Group but may be higher in certain 
circumstances. These circumstances may include:

 – where a new executive Director has been appointed at a 
lower salary, higher increases may be awarded over an 
initial period as the executive Director gains in experience 
and the salary is moved to what the Committee considers 
is an appropriate positioning;

 – where there has been a significant increase in the scope 
or responsibility of an executive Director’s role or where 
an individual has been internally promoted, higher salary 
increases may be awarded; and

 – where a larger increase is considered necessary to reflect 

significant changes in market practice.

Revenue approved retirement benefit scheme up until the 
pension cap established in the Finance Act 2006 (see details 
on page 64). Accrued benefits for service to 31 December 
2011 are based on pensionable salary and years of service 
as at that date (annual accrual of 1/60th), with this tranche 
being revalued annually at the Consumer Price Index subject 
to a 5% ceiling. For service subsequent to that date, a 
career-average revalued earnings system was introduced 
with each year of service being subject to annual revaluation 
on the same basis as outlined above. Irish-based executive 
Directors receive a supplementary taxable non-pensionable 
cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits foregone as a 
result of the pension cap. These allowances are similar in 
value to the reduction in the Company’s liability represented 
by the pension benefit foregone. Whilst there is no absolute 
maximum to the quantum of these payments they are 
calculated based on actuarial advice as the equivalent of the 
reduction in the Company’s liability to each individual and 
spread over the term to retirement as annual compensation 
allowances.  

•  The US-based executive Director participates in a defined 

contribution retirement plan in respect of basic salary; and in 
addition he participates in an unfunded defined contribution 
SERP also in respect of basic salary, to which contributions 
are made at an agreed rate (20%), offset by contributions 
made to the other retirement plan.

Performance 
measures

n/a

80  CRH

n/a

n/a

benefits provided for other employees in the Group, the individual’s home jurisdiction and the jurisdiction in which the individual is based.

•  Employment-related benefits include the use of company cars (or a car allowance), medical insurance for the Director and his/her family/life 

•  In the event that the Chief Executive falls ill or is injured in such a way as which would constitute ill-health or disablement so that the Chief 

when the Chief Executive reaches age 60, returns to work or if the service agreement is terminated.

•  The Chief Executive, Oldcastle, Inc. also receives benefits in relation to club membership and short-term disability insurance.

•  Benefits may also be provided in respect of legal fees incurred in respect of agreeing service contracts, or similar agreements (for which the 

Company may settle any tax incurred by the executive Director) and a gift on retirement.

•  The Committee may remove benefits that executive Directors receive or introduce other benefits if it is considered appropriate to do so. The 

Company may also pay the tax due on benefits if it considers that it is appropriate to do so.

•  All-employee share schemes – executive Directors are eligible to participate in the Company’s all-employee share schemes on the same terms 

as other employees.

•  Relocation policy – Where executive Directors are required to relocate to take up their role, the Committee may determine that they should 

receive appropriate relocation and ongoing expatriate benefits. The level of such benefits would be determined based on individual circumstances 

taking into account typical market practice.

Committee has not set a maximum level of benefits.

 
Policy table

Further details regarding the operation of the Policy for the 2014 financial year can be found on pages 62 to 65 of the Annual Statement on Remuneration

Table 38

Fixed

Element

Base salary

Pension

Benefits

Purpose and  

•  Competitive salaries help to attract and retain staff with the 

•  Pension arrangements provide competitive and appropriate 

•  To provide a market-competitive level of benefits for executive Directors.

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

•  The Committee’s policy is to set benefit provision at an appropriate market competitive level taking into account market practice, the level of 
benefits provided for other employees in the Group, the individual’s home jurisdiction and the jurisdiction in which the individual is based.

•  Employment-related benefits include the use of company cars (or a car allowance), medical insurance for the Director and his/her family/life 

assurance. 

•  In the event that the Chief Executive falls ill or is injured in such a way as which would constitute ill-health or disablement so that the Chief 

Executive could not work for a period of more than six months, in lieu of the early ill-health retirement provisions in the pension scheme which 
would otherwise operate in such cases, he shall be entitled to receive a disability salary of €1,000,000 per annum. Such payment would cease 
when the Chief Executive reaches age 60, returns to work or if the service agreement is terminated.

•  The Chief Executive, Oldcastle, Inc. also receives benefits in relation to club membership and short-term disability insurance.

•  Benefits may also be provided in respect of legal fees incurred in respect of agreeing service contracts, or similar agreements (for which the 

Company may settle any tax incurred by the executive Director) and a gift on retirement.

•  The Committee may remove benefits that executive Directors receive or introduce other benefits if it is considered appropriate to do so. The 

Company may also pay the tax due on benefits if it considers that it is appropriate to do so.

•  All-employee share schemes – executive Directors are eligible to participate in the Company’s all-employee share schemes on the same terms 

as other employees.

•  Relocation policy – Where executive Directors are required to relocate to take up their role, the Committee may determine that they should 

receive appropriate relocation and ongoing expatriate benefits. The level of such benefits would be determined based on individual circumstances 
taking into account typical market practice.

Maximum  

opportunity

•  Base salaries are set at a level which the Committee 

•  The defined benefit pension is provided through an Irish 

•  The level of benefit provided will depend on the cost of providing individual items and the individual’s circumstances, and therefore the 

considers to be appropriate taking into consideration the 

Revenue approved retirement benefit scheme up until the 

Committee has not set a maximum level of benefits.

factors outlined in the “operation” section. 

pension cap established in the Finance Act 2006 (see details 

link to strategy

experience and knowledge required to enable the Group to 

retirement plans.

compete in its markets.

•  Given the long-term nature of the business, pension is an 

important part of the remuneration package to support 

creation of value and succession planning. 

Operation

•  Base salaries are set by the Committee taking into account:

•  Irish-based executive Directors participate in a contributory 

 – the size and scope of the executive Director’s role and 

defined benefit scheme. 

responsibilities;

 – the individual’s skills, experience and performance;

 – salary levels at FTSE listed companies of a similar size and 

complexity to CRH and other international construction 

and building materials companies; and

 – pay and conditions elsewhere in the Group.

•  Base salary is normally reviewed annually with changes 

generally effective on 1 January, although the Committee 

may make an out-of-cycle increase if it considers it to be 

appropriate.

•  The US-based executive Director participates in a defined 

contribution scheme and in an unfunded Supplemental 

Executive Retirement Plan (SERP).

•  The defined benefit scheme which the Directors participate 

in is closed to new entrants. 

•  For new appointments to the Board, the Committee may 

determine that alternative pension provisions will operate 

(for example a defined contribution scheme or cash 

contribution). When determining pension arrangements for 

new appointments, the Committee will give regard to existing 

entitlements, the cost of the arrangements, market practice 

and the pension arrangements received elsewhere in the 

Group.

•  While there is no maximum base salary, normally increases 

will be in line with the typical level of increase awarded to 

other employees in the Group but may be higher in certain 

circumstances. These circumstances may include:

 – where a new executive Director has been appointed at a 

lower salary, higher increases may be awarded over an 

initial period as the executive Director gains in experience 

and the salary is moved to what the Committee considers 

is an appropriate positioning;

 – where there has been a significant increase in the scope 

or responsibility of an executive Director’s role or where 

an individual has been internally promoted, higher salary 

increases may be awarded; and

 – where a larger increase is considered necessary to reflect 

significant changes in market practice.

on page 64). Accrued benefits for service to 31 December 

2011 are based on pensionable salary and years of service 

as at that date (annual accrual of 1/60th), with this tranche 

being revalued annually at the Consumer Price Index subject 

to a 5% ceiling. For service subsequent to that date, a 

career-average revalued earnings system was introduced 

with each year of service being subject to annual revaluation 

on the same basis as outlined above. Irish-based executive 

Directors receive a supplementary taxable non-pensionable 

cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits foregone as a 

result of the pension cap. These allowances are similar in 

value to the reduction in the Company’s liability represented 

by the pension benefit foregone. Whilst there is no absolute 

maximum to the quantum of these payments they are 

calculated based on actuarial advice as the equivalent of the 

reduction in the Company’s liability to each individual and 

spread over the term to retirement as annual compensation 

allowances.  

•  The US-based executive Director participates in a defined 

contribution retirement plan in respect of basic salary; and in 

addition he participates in an unfunded defined contribution 

SERP also in respect of basic salary, to which contributions 

are made at an agreed rate (20%), offset by contributions 

made to the other retirement plan.

Performance 

n/a

measures

n/a

n/a

CRH  81

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Policy table continued

Performance-related pay

Element

Annual Bonus Plan

Purpose and  
link to strategy

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan is designed to reward the creation of shareholder value through operational 

•  The role of the PSP is to align the interest of key management across different regions and nationalities with those of shareholders 

excellence and organic and acquisitive growth. The Plan incentivises executive Directors to deliver Group and individual goals 
that support long-term value creation.

•  A Deferred Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan element links the value of executive Directors’ reward with the long-term 

performance of the CRH share price and aligns the interests of executive Directors with shareholders’ interests.

•  A ‘malus’ provision enables the Company to mitigate risk.

Operation

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan rewards executive Directors for meeting Company performance goals over a 

•  Awards (in the form of conditional share awards or nil-cost options) normally vest based on performance over a period of not less than three 

financial year of the Company. Targets are set annually by the Committee.

years. Awards may also be settled in cash.

•  The annual bonus is paid in a mix of cash and shares (structured as a deferred share award).

•  Awards are normally subject to an additional holding period ending on the fifth anniversary of the grant date (or another date determined by the 

•  For 2014:

 – 75% of the bonus will be paid in cash; and

 – 25% will be paid in shares.

•  In future years, the Committee may determine that a different balance between cash and shares is appropriate and adjust the 

relevant payments accordingly.

•  When assessing performance and determining bonus payouts the Committee also considers the underlying financial 

performance of the business to ensure it is consistent with the overall award level.

•  The deferred element of the bonus will be structured as a conditional share award or nil-cost option and will normally vest after 

three years from grant (or a different period determined by the Committee). Deferred share awards may be settled in cash.

•  Dividend equivalents may be paid on deferred share awards in respect of dividends paid during the vesting period. These 

payments may be made in cash or shares and may assume the reinvestment of dividends on a cumulative basis.

•  For deferred awards granted from 2014, malus provisions apply (see below). Cash bonus payments may be subject to 

clawback of the net amount paid for a period of three years from payment.

2014 Performance Share Plan (PSP)

through an interest in CRH shares and by incentivising the achievement of long-term performance goals.

Table 38

Committee).

•  Dividend equivalents may be paid on PSP awards that vest in respect of dividends paid during the vesting period until the end of the holding 

period. These payments may be made in cash or shares and may assume reinvestment on a cumulative basis.

•  For 2014 awards onwards, malus provisions (as set out in the rules of the PSP) will apply to awards (see below).

•  Maximum annual opportunity of 150% of base salary.

•  The normal maximum award is 250% of salary per annum. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee may grant awards of up to 

350% of base salary.

•  For 2014 the intended award levels are: 

 – Chief Executive – 250% of base salary

 – Other executive Directors – 200% of base salary

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan is based on achieving clearly defined and stretching annual targets and 

•  Awards to be granted in 2014 will vest based on a relative TSR compared to key peers and cumulative cash flow performance.

strategic goals set by the Committee each year based on key business priorities.

•  The performance metrics used are a mix of financial targets including return goals and personal/strategic objectives generally 

including safety. Currently 80% of the bonus is based on financial performance measures. The Committee may vary the 
weightings of measures but no less than 50% shall be based on financial performance measures.

•  For threshold levels of performance 25% of the award vests with straight-line vesting to maximum.

•  When determining vesting under the PSP the Committee will review whether the TSR performance has been impacted by unusual events 

and whether it, therefore, reflects the underlying performance of the business. In addition, the Committee will consider financial performance 

(including EPS) in the period to ensure that TSR performance is consistent with the objectives of the performance criteria and was not distorted by 

•  A portion of the bonus metrics for any Director may be linked to his/her specific area of responsibility.

extraneous factors.

•  Up to 50% of the maximum bonus will be paid for achieving target levels of performance.

•  The Committee may amend the performance conditions if an event occurs that causes it to consider that an amended performance condition 

would be more appropriate and would not be materially less difficult to satisfy.

Maximum  
opportunity

Performance 
measures

82  CRH

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Policy table continued

Performance-related pay

Element

Annual Bonus Plan

Purpose and  

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan is designed to reward the creation of shareholder value through operational 

•  The role of the PSP is to align the interest of key management across different regions and nationalities with those of shareholders 

link to strategy

excellence and organic and acquisitive growth. The Plan incentivises executive Directors to deliver Group and individual goals 

through an interest in CRH shares and by incentivising the achievement of long-term performance goals.

2014 Performance Share Plan (PSP)

Table 38

Operation

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan rewards executive Directors for meeting Company performance goals over a 

•  Awards (in the form of conditional share awards or nil-cost options) normally vest based on performance over a period of not less than three 

financial year of the Company. Targets are set annually by the Committee.

years. Awards may also be settled in cash.

•  The annual bonus is paid in a mix of cash and shares (structured as a deferred share award).

•  Awards are normally subject to an additional holding period ending on the fifth anniversary of the grant date (or another date determined by the 

Committee).

•  Dividend equivalents may be paid on PSP awards that vest in respect of dividends paid during the vesting period until the end of the holding 

period. These payments may be made in cash or shares and may assume reinvestment on a cumulative basis.

•  For 2014 awards onwards, malus provisions (as set out in the rules of the PSP) will apply to awards (see below).

that support long-term value creation.

•  A Deferred Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan element links the value of executive Directors’ reward with the long-term 

performance of the CRH share price and aligns the interests of executive Directors with shareholders’ interests.

•  A ‘malus’ provision enables the Company to mitigate risk.

•  For 2014:

 – 75% of the bonus will be paid in cash; and

 – 25% will be paid in shares.

relevant payments accordingly.

•  In future years, the Committee may determine that a different balance between cash and shares is appropriate and adjust the 

•  When assessing performance and determining bonus payouts the Committee also considers the underlying financial 

performance of the business to ensure it is consistent with the overall award level.

•  The deferred element of the bonus will be structured as a conditional share award or nil-cost option and will normally vest after 

three years from grant (or a different period determined by the Committee). Deferred share awards may be settled in cash.

•  Dividend equivalents may be paid on deferred share awards in respect of dividends paid during the vesting period. These 

payments may be made in cash or shares and may assume the reinvestment of dividends on a cumulative basis.

•  For deferred awards granted from 2014, malus provisions apply (see below). Cash bonus payments may be subject to 

clawback of the net amount paid for a period of three years from payment.

Maximum  

opportunity

•  Maximum annual opportunity of 150% of base salary.

•  The normal maximum award is 250% of salary per annum. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee may grant awards of up to 

350% of base salary.

•  For 2014 the intended award levels are: 

 – Chief Executive – 250% of base salary
 – Other executive Directors – 200% of base salary

Performance 

•  The Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan is based on achieving clearly defined and stretching annual targets and 

•  Awards to be granted in 2014 will vest based on a relative TSR compared to key peers and cumulative cash flow performance.

measures

strategic goals set by the Committee each year based on key business priorities.

•  The performance metrics used are a mix of financial targets including return goals and personal/strategic objectives generally 

including safety. Currently 80% of the bonus is based on financial performance measures. The Committee may vary the 

weightings of measures but no less than 50% shall be based on financial performance measures.

•  A portion of the bonus metrics for any Director may be linked to his/her specific area of responsibility.

•  For threshold levels of performance 25% of the award vests with straight-line vesting to maximum.

•  When determining vesting under the PSP the Committee will review whether the TSR performance has been impacted by unusual events 

and whether it, therefore, reflects the underlying performance of the business. In addition, the Committee will consider financial performance 
(including EPS) in the period to ensure that TSR performance is consistent with the objectives of the performance criteria and was not distorted by 
extraneous factors.

•  Up to 50% of the maximum bonus will be paid for achieving target levels of performance.

•  The Committee may amend the performance conditions if an event occurs that causes it to consider that an amended performance condition 

would be more appropriate and would not be materially less difficult to satisfy.

CRH  83

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Plan Rules
The Deferred Annual Performance-related 
Incentive Plan, the Performance Share Plans 
and the Share Option Schemes shall be 
operated in accordance with the relevant plan 
rules. The rules for the 2014 Performance Share 
Plan (the “2014 PSP”) will be put forward for 
shareholder approval at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting. Awards may be (a) adjusted 
in accordance with the rules in the event of a 
variation of the Company’s share capital, 
merger, de-merger, special dividend or other 
event that, in the opinion of the Committee, 
materially affects the price of shares and (b) 
amended in accordance with the 2014 PSP 
rules.

Clawback/Malus
For Deferred Annual Performance-related 
Incentive Plan awards and Performance Share 
Plan awards granted from 2014 onwards, the 
Committee has the discretion to reduce or 
impose further conditions on awards prior to 
vesting in certain circumstances, including:

 – a material misstatement of the Company’s 

audited financial results;

 – a material failure of risk management; or

 – serious reputational damage to the Company 

or one of its businesses as a result of a 
participant’s misconduct or otherwise.

Cash bonus payments may be subject to 
clawback of the net amount paid for a period of 
three years from payment in the circumstances 
outlined above.

Other elements of remuneration are not subject 
to clawback or malus provisions.

Minor Amendments
The Committee may make minor changes to 
this Policy for regulatory, exchange control, tax 
or administrative purposes or to take account of 
a change in legislation without seeking 
shareholder approval for that amendment.

Legacy Awards
Prior to the implementation of the 2014 PSP, 
awards were granted under the 2006 
Performance Share Plan (the “2006 PSP”), 
which was approved at the 2006 Annual 
General Meeting. Awards under this plan may 
continue to vest under this Policy. It is not 
intended that further awards will be granted 
under the 2006 PSP.

Awards under the 2006 PSP were granted in 
the form of conditional shares and vest subject 
to meeting relative TSR performance 
conditions over a three-year performance 
period. 50% of awards are based on TSR 
compared to the constituents of the Eurofirst 
300 Index with 50% of awards being based on 
TSR compared to a bespoke group of peer 
companies (details of which are set out in 
table 14 in the Annual Statement on 

84  CRH

Remuneration). 30% vests for median 
performance with 100% vesting for upper 
quartile performance (straight-line vesting 
in-between). Awards will only vest if the 
Committee is satisfied that the Company’s TSR 
performance has not been significantly 
affected by unusual events and the Company’s 
EPS growth is consistent with the objectives of 
the performance assessment. Whilst the 
current intention of the Committee is to settle 
the awards in shares, it may also satisfy 
awards in cash.

There are no clawback or malus provisions in 
the 2006 PSP.

Executive Directors also have outstanding 
awards under the 2010 Share Option Scheme, 
which was approved by shareholders at the 
2010 Annual General Meeting. This Scheme is 
no longer in use. Awards were granted in the 
form of market value options and vest subject 
to EPS growth performance over a three-year 
performance period. At vesting the Committee 
has the discretion to adjust the level of vesting 
of awards in the event that the Committee 
considers that this is appropriate (in 
exceptional circumstances such as changes to 
accounting policies or unforeseen 
developments) or to reduce the vesting level 
where appropriate to reflect factors such as the 
participant’s contribution to the Group. The 
Committee may also vary, substitute or waive 
the performance conditions applicable to an 
award if it considers that they are no longer 
appropriate and the varied or substituted 
condition would be a fairer measure and 
neither more or less difficult to satisfy.

There are also market value options 
outstanding for executive Directors under the 
2000 Share Option Scheme (approved by 
shareholders at the 2000 Annual General 
Meeting). Awards vest based on meeting EPS 
performance goals over three consecutive years 
during the life of the option. No further options 
may be granted under this Scheme. Details of 
the outstanding 2006 PSP awards and the 
options granted under the 2000 and 2010 
Option Schemes are set out in tables 25 and 26 
of the Annual Statement on Remuneration.

General
In addition to any payments required to be 
made pursuant to any applicable employment 
laws, the Remuneration Committee reserves the 
right to make any remuneration payments and 
payments for loss of office (including 
exercising any discretions available to it in 
connection with such payments) 
notwithstanding that they are not in line with 
the Policy set out in this report where the terms 
of the payment were agreed (i) before the policy 
came into effect or (ii) at a time when the 
relevant individual was not a Director of the 
Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, 
the payment was not in consideration for the 

individual becoming a Director of the 
Company. For these purposes “payments” 
includes the Committee satisfying awards of 
variable remuneration and an award over 
shares is “agreed” at the time the award is 
granted. 

Information Supporting the Policy Table

Selection of Performance Measures
(i) Annual Bonus

Annual incentive plan targets are selected each 
year to incentivise executive Directors to 
achieve annual financial, operational, strategic 
and personal goals across a range of metrics 
which are considered important for delivering 
long-term performance excellence. 

(ii) Performance Share Plan

The ultimate goal of our strategy is to provide 
long-term sustainable value for all of our 
shareholders. Performance measures for PSP 
awards to be granted in 2014 are, therefore, 
focussed on achieving relative outperformance 
of TSR against our key peers and generating 
cash in the business to support further 
investment and dividend payments to 
shareholders. 

Targets for the Annual Bonus and PSP are set 
each year by the Committee taking into account 
internal plans and external expectations. 
Targets are calibrated to be stretching but 
motivational to management and to be aligned 
with the long-term creation of shareholder 
value.

Remuneration Arrangements  
throughout the Group
CRH employs approximately 76,000 people at 
over 3,400 locations around the world. 
Remuneration arrangements throughout the 
organisation therefore differ depending on the 
specific role being undertaken, the level of 
seniority and responsibilities, the location of 
the role and local market practice. However, 
remuneration arrangements are designed based 
on the principle that reward should be set at a 
level which is appropriate to retain and 
motivate individuals of the necessary calibre to 
fulfil the roles without paying more than is 
considered necessary to achieve this. The 
reward framework is designed to incentivise 
employees to deliver the requirements of their 
roles and add value for shareholders.

The Group operates Share Participation Plans 
and Savings-related Share Option Schemes for 
eligible employees in all regions where the 
regulations permit the operation of such plans. 
In total there are approximately 6,500 
employees of all categories who are 
shareholders in the Group. 

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Remuneration Policy for non-executive Directors

Table 39

Approach to setting fees

Basis of fees

Other items

•  The remuneration of non-executive Directors 
is determined by a Board committee of the 
Chairman and the executive Directors.

•  The Remuneration Committee determines 

the remuneration of the Chairman within the 
framework or broad policy agreed with the 
Board.

•  Remuneration is set at a level which will attract 
individuals with the necessary experience and 
ability to make a substantial contribution to 
the Company’s affairs and reflect the time and 
travel demands of Board duties.

•  Fees are paid in cash.

•  Non-executive Director fees policy is to pay:

 – a basic fee for membership of the Board;

 – an additional fee for chairing a Committee;

•  The non-executive Directors do not 
participate in any of the Company’s 
performance-related incentive plans or 
share schemes.

•  Non-executive Directors do not receive 

 – an additional fee for the role of Senior 

pensions.

Independent Director (SID) (if the SID is 
not the Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee);

 – an additional fee to reflect committee 
work (combined fee for all committee 
roles); and

•  Fees are set taking into account typical practice 

at other companies of a similar size and 
complexity to CRH.

 – an additional fee based on the location of 
the Director to reflect time spent travelling 
to Board meetings.

•  Fees are reviewed at appropriate intervals.

•  Other fees may also be paid to reflect other 

Board roles or responsibilities.

•  In accordance with the Articles of 

Association, shareholders set the maximum 
aggregate amount of the fees payable to 
non-executive Directors. The current limit 
of €750,000 was set by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting held in 2005.

Remuneration Policy for New Hires

CRH has a strong history of succession planning 
and developing internal executive talent. 

The Committee’s key principle when 
determining appropriate remuneration 
arrangements for a new executive Director 
(appointed from within the organisation or 
externally) is that arrangements are in the best 
interests of both CRH and its shareholders 
without paying more than is considered 
necessary by the Committee to recruit an 
executive of the required calibre to develop and 
deliver the business strategy.

The Committee would generally seek to align 
the remuneration package offered with our 
remuneration policy outlined in table 38. 
Although in exceptional circumstances, the 
Committee may make remuneration proposals 
on hiring a new executive Director which are 
outside the standard policy to facilitate the 
hiring of someone of the calibre required to 
deliver the Group’s strategy. When determining 
appropriate remuneration arrangements the 
Committee will take into account all relevant 
factors including (among others) the level of 
opportunity, the type of remuneration 
opportunity being forfeited and the jurisdiction 
the candidate was recruited from. Any 
remuneration offered would be within the limit 
on variable pay outlined below.

Variable remuneration in respect of an 
executive Director’s appointment shall be 
limited to 500% of base salary measured at the 
time of award. This limit is in line with the 
Plan maximum outlined in table 38. This limit 
excludes any awards made to compensate the 
Director for awards forfeited from his or her 
previous employer.

The Committee may make awards on appointing 
an executive Director to buy-out remuneration 
terms forfeited on leaving a previous employer. 
In doing so, the Committee will take account of 
relevant factors including any performance 
conditions attached to these awards, the form in 
which they were granted (e.g. cash or shares) 
and the time over which they would have 
vested. The Committee’s key principle is that 
buy-out awards will generally be made on a 
comparable basis to those forfeited.

To facilitate awards outlined above, the 
Committee may grant awards under Company 
incentive schemes or under Listing Rule 9.4.2 
which allows for the granting of awards, to 
facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the 
recruitment of an executive Director, without 
seeking prior shareholder approval or under 
other relevant company incentive plans. The 
use of Listing Rule 9.4.2 shall be limited to 
buy-out awards.

•  The Group Chairman is reimbursed for 
expenses incurred in travelling from his 
residence to his CRH office. The Company 
settles any tax incurred on this on his 
behalf.

•  Non-executive Directors do not currently 
receive any benefits. However, benefits 
may be provided in the future if, in the view 
of the Board (for non-executive Directors 
or for the Chairman), this was considered 
appropriate. The Company may settle any 
tax due on benefits.

In the event that an internal candidate is 
promoted to the Board, legacy terms and 
conditions will normally be honoured, 
including pension entitlements and any 
outstanding incentive awards. 

In the event of the appointment of a new 
Chairman or non-executive Director, 
remuneration arrangements will normally reflect 
the policy outlined above for the Chairman and 
non-executive Directors. Other remuneration 
arrangements may be provided to a new 
Chairman or non-executive Director if these 
arrangements are considered appropriate in 
accordance with the principles set out above.

CRH  85

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Remuneration Outcomes in Different 
Performance Scenarios

Remuneration at CRH consists of fixed pay 
(salary, pension and benefits), short-term 
variable pay and long-term variable pay. A 
significant portion of executive Directors’ 

remuneration is linked to the delivery of key 
business goals over the short and long-term and 
the creation of shareholder value. 

Tables 41 to 43 show hypothetical values of the 
remuneration package for executive Directors 
under three assumed performance scenarios.

No share price growth or the payment of 
dividend equivalents has been assumed in 
these scenarios. Potential benefits under all 
employee share schemes have not been 
included.

Performance Scenario

Payout Level

Table 40

Minimum 

•  No bonus payout

•  No vesting under the Performance Share Plan

On-Target Performance

Maximum Performance

•  50% annual bonus payout (75% of salary)

•  25% vesting under the Performance Share Plan (62.5% of salary for the Chief Executive and 50% for other Directors)

•  100% annual bonus payout (150% of salary)

•  100% Performance Share Plan vesting (250% of salary for the Chief Executive and 200% for other Directors)

Chief Executive

Table 41

Chief Executive, Oldcastle, Inc.

Table 42

€7,000,000

€6,000,000

€5,000,000

€4,000,000

€3,000,000

€2,000,000

€1,000,000

€0

€3,431k

22%

26%

52%

€1,781k

100%

€6,581k

46%

27%

27%

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

$5,000,000

$4,000,000

$3,000,000

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

€0

$3,453k

20%

30%

50%

$1,731k

100%

$6,551k

42%

32%

26%

Minimum

On-Target Performance

Maximum Performance

Minimum

On-Target Performance

Maximum Performance

Fixed Pay

Annual Bonus

Long-Term Incentive

Fixed Pay

Annual Bonus

Long-Term Incentive

Finance Director

Table 43

Fixed Pay

Table 44

€3,069k

41%

30%

29%

€1,662k

19%

28%

53%

€881k

100%

Minimum

On-Target Performance

Maximum Performance

Fixed Pay

Annual Bonus

Long-Term Incentive

Salary  
with effect 
from  
1 January 
2014

Benefits 
paid  
in 2013

Pension

Total  
Fixed  
Pay

€1,200,000

€31,000

€550,000

€1,781,000

€625,000

€13,000

 €243,000

€881,000

US$1,377,000 US$79,000

US$275,400  
(20%)

US$1,731,400

Chief Executive  
(Albert Manifold)

Finance Director  
(Maeve Carton)

Chief Executive,  
Oldcastle, Inc.  
(Mark Towe)

€3,500,000

€3,000,000

€2,500,000

€2,000,000

€1,500,000

€1,000,000

€500,000

€0

86  CRH

Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Chief Executive Service Contract

Table 45

Notice period

•  12 months’ notice by the Company or the executive.

Expiry date

Termination 
payments 

Disability

•  Indefinite duration. 

•  Terms of contract will automatically terminate on the executive’s 62nd birthday.

•  On lawful termination of employment, the Committee may, at its absolute discretion, make a termination payment in lieu of 12 

months’ notice based on base salary, benefits and pension contribution due during that period.

•  Where the Company terminates the contract lawfully without notice then no payment in lieu of notice shall be due.

•  If, in the event of a change of control, there is a diminution in the role and responsibilities of the Chief Executive, he may terminate 
the contract; on such termination a payment equal to one year’s remuneration (being salary, pension, other benefits and vested 
incentive awards) will be made to the executive.

•  In the event that the Chief Executive falls ill or is injured in such a way as which would constitute ill-health or disablement so that the 
Chief Executive could not work for a period of more than six months, in lieu of the early ill-health retirement provisions in the pension 
scheme which would otherwise operate in such cases, he shall be entitled to receive a disability salary of €1,000,000 per annum. 
Such payment would cease when the Chief Executive reaches age 60, returns to work or if the service agreement is terminated.

Other information

•  The Company retains the ability to suspend the executive from employment on full salary and to require the executive to observe a 

period of “garden leave” of up to 12 months on full salary, contractual benefits and pension contribution.

divested, the Committee will determine the 
extent to which options vest. In cases of death 
and retirement, options may be exercised 
within 12 months of cessation of office of 
employment. In other circumstances, where the 
Committee uses its discretion to deem an 
individual a “good leaver” then the exercise 
window is six months. Where an individual 
ceases office or employment for other reasons, 
option awards will normally lapse.

Where an executive ceases employment as a 
result of summary dismissal they will normally 
forfeit outstanding share incentive awards.

The Committee may allow awards to vest early 
at its discretion in the event an executive 
Director is to be transferred to a jurisdiction 
where he would suffer a tax disadvantage or he 
would be subject to restrictions in connection 
with his award, the underlying shares or the 
sales proceeds.

Executive Director Service Contracts and 
Policy on Payment for Loss of Office

When determining leaving arrangements for an 
executive Director the Committee takes into 
account any contractual agreements (including 
any incentive arrangements) and the 
performance and conduct of the individual.

Service Contracts
It is intended that the Chief Executive will 
enter into a service contract during the course 
of 2014. It is anticipated that the summary in 
table 45 will represent the key remuneration 
terms of this contract. However, some minor 
terms may differ.

The Finance Director (Maeve Carton) and Chief 
Executive, Oldcastle, Inc. (Mark Towe) do not 
currently have service contracts. The 
Committee will therefore determine the amount 
paid on termination taking into account the 
circumstances around departure and the 
prevailing employment law circumstances. 

The Committee’s policy in this area is that 
service contracts will be put in place for newly 
appointed executive Directors and in cases 
where there is a significant step change in 
Directors’ responsibilities. It is currently 
anticipated that these terms will be similar to 
those agreed with the Chief Executive.

Under Irish company law, CRH is not required 
to make service contracts available for 
inspection as the notice period is less than 12 
months. Service contracts will only be 
available with the executive Director’s consent 
due to data protection reasons.

Annual Bonus
Executive Directors may, at the discretion of 
the Committee, remain eligible to receive an 
Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan 
award for the financial year in which they leave 
employment. Such Annual Performance-related 
Incentive Plan award will be determined by the 
Committee taking into account time in 
employment and performance.

Share Plan Rules – Leaver Provisions
The treatment of outstanding share awards in 
the event that an executive Director leaves is 
governed by the relevant share plan rules.  
Table 46 summarises leaver provisions under 
the executive share plans. 

“Good leaver” circumstances are defined in the 
2014 PSP and deferred annual performance 
incentive plans as ill-health, injury, disability, 
the participants employing company or 
business being sold out of the Group or any 
other reason at the Committee’s absolute 
discretion (except where a participant is 
summarily dismissed).

Where an individual leaves by mutual 
agreement the Committee has discretion to 
determine the treatment of outstanding share 
awards.

Individuals who are dismissed for gross 
misconduct would not be treated as “good 
leavers”. 

Under the 2000 Share Option Scheme, if a 
participant leaves employment in the event of 
death, retirement (on age or health grounds), 
redundancy, or in cases where a subsidiary is 

CRH  87

 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Share Plans - Leaver Provisions

Table 46

Death

‘Good leavers’ as determined by the Committee 
in accordance with the Plan rules

Leavers in other  
circumstances 

Deferred Annual 
Performance 
Incentive Plan 2014

•  Unvested awards vest, unless the 
Committee determines otherwise, 
to the extent determined by the 
Committee.

•  Awards in the form of nil-cost 

•  Awards shall normally vest in full at the 
normal vesting date. Alternatively, the 
Committee may determine that awards 
should vest in full at cessation of 
employment.

options may be exercised for 12 
months from death (or another 
period determined by the 
Committee).

•  Where awards vesting in such circumstances 
are granted in the form of nil-cost options 
participants shall have six months from 
vesting to exercise their award. 

•  Awards will lapse on the 

individual’s cessation of office 
or employment.

2014 Performance 
Share Plan

•  Unvested awards shall vest as 
soon as practicable following 
death unless the Committee 
determines otherwise. The 
number of shares vesting shall be 
determined by the Committee 
taking into account the extent to 
which the performance condition 
has been met and, if the 
Committee determines, the length 
of time that has elapsed since the 
award was granted until the date 
of death (or if death occurs during 
an applicable holding period, to 
the beginning of the holding 
period).

•  Awards in the form of nil-cost 

options may be exercised for 12 
months from death (or another 
period determined by the 
Committee). 

•  Where awards have already vested at 

cessation of employment, participants shall 
have six months from cessation of 
employment to exercise their option.

•  Awards shall normally vest at the normal 

•  Awards will lapse on the 

individual’s cessation of office 
or employment.

vesting date. Alternatively, the Committee 
may determine that awards should vest at 
the time the individual leaves.

•  The level of vesting shall be determined by 
the Committee taking into account the 
extent to which the performance condition 
has been met and, unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, the period of time that 
has elapsed since the date of grant until the 
date of cessation (or if cessation occurs 
during an applicable holding period, to the 
beginning of the holding period).

•  Awards vesting in such circumstances in the 
form of nil-cost options may be exercised for 
six months from vesting (or another period 
determined by the Committee). Where a 
nil-cost option was already vested at 
cessation of employment, participants may 
exercise such options for six months from 
cessation (or another period determined by 
the Committee).

88  CRH

 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Death

‘Good leavers’ as determined by the Committee 
in accordance with the plan rules

Leavers in other  
circumstances 

Table 46

•  The Committee may determine 

Retirement (for age or health reasons)

•  Awards will normally lapse.

2010 Share Option 
Scheme

the extent to which options shall 
vest. Options shall be exercisable 
for 12 months from vesting or 
from death (whichever is later).

•  The Committee may determine the extent to 

which options may be exercised on the 
same terms as if the individual had not 
ceased to hold employment or office having 
determined the extent to which the 
performance conditions applicable to the 
award have been satisfied. Options shall be 
exercisable for 12 months from vesting or 
from the participant’s cessation (whichever is 
later).

Redundancy, early retirement, sale of the 
individual’s employing subsidiary out of the 
Group or for any other reason determined by 
the Committee.

•  The Committee may determine the extent to 
which the option may be exercised having 
determined the extent to which the 
performance conditions applicable to the 
award have been satisfied. Options shall be 
exercisable for six months from vesting or 
cessation of employment (whichever is later).

•  Where a participant has ceased to hold 
office or employment because of health 
reasons, redundancy, retirement or sale of 
his employing subsidiary out of the Group, 
the Committee may waive any relevant 
performance conditions, in which case 
options may be scaled down by reference to 
the participant’s performance and the 
proportion of the relevant performance 
period the participant has served.

Ill-health, injury, disability, redundancy, 
retirement, the sale of the entity or business 
that employs the individual out of the Group or 
for any other reason at the Committee’s 
discretion. 

•  Awards may vest to the extent determined 

by the Committee.

•  Awards will normally lapse.

CRH  89

2006 Performance 
Share Plan

•  Awards may vest to the extent 
determined by the Committee.

(It is not intended 
that further awards 
will be made under 
this Plan)

 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report | continued

Change of Control 
In the event of a change of control of the 
Company, the Committee will determine the 
treatment of share awards. 

In the event of a change of control of the 
Company:

a)  awards granted under the 2014 PSP will 

vest taking into account the extent to which 
any performance condition has been 
satisfied and, unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, the period of time 
that has elapsed since grant and the relevant 
event (or if the event occurs during an 
applicable holding period, to the beginning 
of the holding period);

b)  awards granted under the 2014 Deferred 

Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan 
may, at the discretion of the Committee, vest 
in full;

c)  awards granted under the 2006 PSP may, at 
the discretion of the Committee, vest in full;

d)  options granted under the 2000 Share 

Option Scheme may be exercised to the 
extent determined by the Committee; and

e)  options granted under the 2010 Share 

Option Scheme may be exercised to the 
extent determined by the Committee and 
may be subject to personal performance and 
time pro-rating (by reference to the 
proportion of the performance period that 
has elapsed).

If the Company is wound up or there is a 
demerger, delisting, special dividend or other 
similar event which the Committee considers 
may affect the price of the Company’s shares:

a)  awards granted under the 2014 PSP may, at 
the Committee’s discretion, vest taking into 
account the extent to which any 
performance condition has been satisfied 
and, unless the Committee determines 
otherwise, the period of time that has 
elapsed since the date of grant and the 
relevant event (or if the event occurs during 
an applicable holding period, to the 
beginning of the holding period); 

b)  awards granted under the 2014 Deferred 

Annual Performance-related Incentive Plan 
will vest to the extent the Committee 
determines; and

c)  awards granted under the 2006 PSP will 

also vest on a voluntary winding-up, merger 
or demerger of the Company to the extent 
determined by the Committee.

Non-executive Director - Letters of 
Appointment

Non-executive Directors serve under letters of 
appointment, copies of which are available for 
inspection at the Company’s Registered Office 
and at the Annual General Meeting.

In line with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, all non-executive Directors submit 
themselves for re-election by shareholders 
every year at the Annual General Meeting.  
All non-executive Director appointments can 
be terminated by either party without notice. 
There is no payment in lieu of notice provided.

Considering Employee Views

When setting remuneration policy for executive 
Directors, the Remuneration Committee 
reviews and has regard to the remuneration 
trends across the Group and considers how 
executive Director remuneration compares to 
that for all employees to ensure that the 
structure and quantum of executive pay 
remains appropriate in this context. 

The Company does not currently consult 
directly with employees when developing the 
Directors’ remuneration policy and there is no 
current intention to do so in the future. 

Consulting with Shareholders

The Committee believes that it is very 
important to maintain open dialogue with 
shareholders on remuneration matters. CRH 
made significant changes to remuneration 
arrangements during the year and consulted 
extensively with shareholders in relation to 
this. Shareholder views were important in 
shaping the final proposals.

The Committee will continue to liaise with 
shareholders regarding remuneration matters 
more generally and CRH arrangements as 
appropriate. It is the Committee’s intention to 
consult with major shareholders in advance of 
making any material changes to remuneration 
arrangements.

On behalf of the Board

Dan O’Connor
Chairman Remuneration Committee and  
Senior Independent Director

90  CRH

Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and the 
audited Consolidated Financial Statements for 
the year ended 31 December 2013.

Principal Activity, Results for the Year and 
Review of Business 

CRH is a diversified international building 
materials group which manufactures and 
distributes a diverse range of products 
servicing the breadth of construction needs, 
from the fundamentals of heavy materials and 
elements to construct the frame, through 
value-added exterior products that complete 
the building envelope, to distribution channels 
which service construction fit-out and renewal. 
The Group has over 1,000 subsidiary, joint 
venture and associate undertakings; the 
principal ones as at 31 December 2013 are 
listed on pages 154 to 160.

The Group’s strategy, business model and 
development activity are summarised in the 
Strategy Review section on pages 7 to 17 and 
are deemed to be incorporated in this part of 
the Directors’ Report.

As set out in the Consolidated Income 
Statement on page 98, the Group reported a 
loss before tax for the year of €215 million after 
non-cash impairment charges of €755 million. 
Comprehensive reviews of the financial and 
operating performance of the Group during 
2013 are set out in the Business Performance 
Review on pages 18 to 35; key financial 
performance indicators are also set out in this 
section. The treasury policy and objectives of 
the Group are set out in detail in note 22 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Dividend

An interim dividend of 18.5c (2012: 18.5c) per 
share was paid in October 2013. The Board is 
recommending a final dividend of 44c per 
share. This gives a total dividend of 62.5c for 
the year, maintained at last year’s level (2012: 
62.5c). The net after-tax loss of €295 million 
for 2013 reflects the total non-cash impairment 
charges of €755 million, primarily arising 
from the ongoing portfolio review referred to 
in the Chief Executive’s introduction and 
described in note 3 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. Excluding non-cash 
impairment and the related tax impact, 
adjusted earnings per share for the year were 
59.5c, representing a cover of 0.95 times the 
proposed dividend for 2013.

It is proposed to pay the final dividend on  
12 May 2014 to shareholders registered at the 
close of business on 7 March 2014. Subject to 
the approval of resolutions 2 and 12 at the 2014 
Annual General Meeting, shareholders are 
being offered a scrip dividend alternative.

2014 Outlook 

In the United States, we expect GDP growth  
in 2014 to be similar to 2013. While federal 
funding for infrastructure in 2014 is expected 
to be in line with 2013, state fiscal conditions 
continue to improve with more states 
introducing additional infrastructure funding 
measures. The increase in the Transportation 
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act 
(TIFIA) funding should also give states greater 
opportunities and options to benefit from 
private sector involvement in highway 
projects; we expect the impact of these 
investments to be more medium to long-term. 
We expect that residential construction will 
continue to advance in 2014, and with the 
increase in housing, non-residential activity 
should also see an improvement. Against this 
backdrop, we expect 2014 to be another year 
of progress in the Americas.

In Europe we have seen an improving trend in 
the second half of 2013 with the economic 
backdrop stabilising as the year progressed. 
While underlying indicators for the Dutch 
economy are showing signs of a slight recovery, 
in the short term, we expect construction 
activity to remain subdued. Switzerland is 
expected to remain solid in 2014 with 
continuing strong activity in residential and 
infrastructure, while the outlook for Germany 
is broadly positive. In Finland, with continuing 
pressure in the residential segment, 
construction spend is expected to be relatively 
flat in 2014, with some pick-up in the second 
half of the year. The 2014 outlook for Ireland is 
for modest growth in overall construction 
activity while France and Spain are expected to 
remain challenging. The outlook for Ukraine 
has become uncertain in recent weeks due to 
the political environment, and for now the 
implications for construction activity in 2014 
are unclear. In Poland, the improved activity 
during the second half of 2013 is expected to 
continue into 2014 with construction growth 
led by improving infrastructure activity.

The review of our portfolio aims to re-set the 
Group for growth. While this has resulted in 
significant non-cash impairment charges in 
2013, we believe that dynamic allocation and 
reallocation of resources to optimise the 
portfolio, together with our traditional tight cost 
control and capital discipline and our relentless 
focus on returns, will be key to driving growth 
and to rebuilding returns and margins in the 
coming years. We believe that 2013 represents 
the trough in our profits, and that 2014 will be a 
year of profit growth. We are encouraged by 
second-half activity levels in 2013 and by the fact 
that, while it is still early in the season, trading so 
far in 2014 has been ahead of last year.

CRH  91

 
Directors’ Report | continued

Sustainability

As set out in the Strategy Review section on 
pages 7 to 17, the Group is fully committed to 
operating ethically and responsibly in all 
aspects of its business relating to employees, 
customers, neighbours and other stakeholders. 
Details of CRH’s policies and performance 
relating to the Environment and Climate 
Change, Health & Safety and Social & 
Community matters are set out in the 
separately published and independently 
verified annual Sustainability Reports which 
are available on the Group’s website at www.
crh.com. The 2013 report will be available by 
mid-2014. 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Under Irish Company law (Regulation 5(4)(c)
(ii) of the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/
EC) Regulations 2007), the Group is required to 
give a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties which it faces. These risks and 
uncertainties reflect the international scope of 
the Group’s operations and the Group’s 
decentralised structure.

Strategic Risks and Uncertainties

Industry cyclicality: The level of construction 
activity in local and national markets is 
inherently cyclical being influenced by a wide 
variety of factors including global and national 
economic circumstances, ongoing austerity 
programmes in the developed world, 
governments’ ability to fund infrastructure 
projects, consumer sentiment and weather 
conditions. The Group’s financial performance 
may also be negatively impacted by 
unfavourable swings in fuel and other 
commodity/raw material prices. The adequacy 
and timeliness of management’s responses to 
unfavourable events are of critical importance.

Political and economic uncertainty: As an 
international business, CRH operates in many 
countries with differing, and in some cases 
potentially fast-changing economic, social and 
political conditions. Changes in these 
conditions, or in the governmental and 
regulatory requirements in any of the countries 
in which CRH operates (with particular 
reference to developing markets), may, for 
example, adversely affect CRH’s business thus 
leading to possible impairment of financial 
performance and/or restrictions on future 
growth opportunities.

Commodity products and substitution: CRH 
faces strong volume and price competition 

across its product lines. In addition, existing 
products may be replaced by substitute 
products which CRH does not produce or 
distribute. Against this backdrop, if CRH fails 
to generate competitive advantage through 
differentiation and innovation across the value 
chain (for example, through superior product 
quality, engendering customer loyalty or 
excellence in logistics), market share, and thus 
financial performance, may decline.

Acquisition activity: Growth through 
acquisition is a key element of CRH’s strategy. 
CRH may not be able to continue to grow as 
contemplated in its business plan if it is unable 
to identify attractive targets (including 
potential new platforms for growth), execute 
full and proper due diligence, raise funds on 
acceptable terms, complete such acquisition 
transactions, integrate the operations of the 
acquired businesses and realise anticipated 
levels of profitability and cash flows.

Joint ventures and associates: CRH does not 
have a controlling interest in certain of the 
businesses (i.e. joint ventures and associates) in 
which it has invested and may invest; the 
greater complexity inherent in these 
arrangements accompanied by the need for 
proactive relationship management may restrict 
the Group’s ability to generate adequate returns 
and to develop and grow its business.

Human resources: Existing processes to recruit, 
develop and retain talented individuals and 
promote their mobility within a decentralised 
Group may be inadequate thus giving rise to 
management attrition and difficulties in 
succession planning and potentially impeding 
the continued realisation of the Group’s core 
strategy of performance and growth.

Corporate communications: As a publicly-
listed company, CRH undertakes regular 
communication with its stakeholders. Given 
that these communications may contain 
forward-looking statements, which by their 
nature involve uncertainty, actual results and 
developments may differ from those 
communicated due to a variety of external and 
internal factors giving rise to reputational risk.

Cyber and information technology: As a result 
of the proliferation of information technology 
in the world today, CRH is exposed to security 
threats to its digital infrastructure which might 
lead to interference with production processes, 
the theft of private data or misrepresentation of 
information regarding CRH via digital media. In 
addition to potential irretrievability or 

corruption of critical data, CRH could suffer 
reputational losses and incur significant 
financial costs in remediation.

Sustainability: CRH is subject to stringent and 
evolving laws, regulations, standards and best 
practices in the area of sustainability 
(comprising corporate governance, 
environmental management and climate 
change (specifically capping of emissions), 
health & safety management and social 
performance) which may give rise to increased 
ongoing remediation and/or other compliance 
costs and may adversely affect the Group’s 
reported results and financial condition.

Laws and regulations: CRH is subject to many 
laws and regulations (both local and 
international), including those relating to 
competition law, corruption and fraud, 
throughout the many jurisdictions in which it 
operates and is thus exposed to changes in 
those laws and regulations and to the outcome 
of any investigations conducted by 
governmental, international and other 
regulatory authorities, which may result in the 
imposition of fines and/or sanctions for 
non-compliance and may damage the Group’s 
reputation. 

Financial and Reporting Risks and 
Uncertainties

The principal financial and reporting risks and 
uncertainties described below are subject to 
further disclosure in the notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the 
accompanying accounting policies.

Financial instruments: CRH uses financial 
instruments throughout its businesses giving 
rise to interest rate, foreign currency, credit/
counterparty and liquidity risks. A downgrade 
of CRH’s credit ratings may give rise to 
increases in funding costs in respect of future 
debt and may impair the Group’s ability to raise 
funds on acceptable terms. In addition, 
insolvency of the financial institutions with 
which CRH conducts business (or a downgrade 
in their credit ratings) may lead to losses in 
CRH’s derivative assets and cash and cash 
equivalents balances or render it more difficult 
either to utilise the Group’s existing debt 
capacity or otherwise obtain financing for the 
Group’s operations. 

Defined benefit pension schemes: CRH operates 
a number of defined benefit pension schemes in 
certain of its operating jurisdictions. The assets 
and liabilities of these schemes may exhibit 
significant period-on-period volatility 

92  CRH

Regulatory Information

This table contains information which is required to be provided for regulatory purposes.

2009 Corporate Governance Regulations:

For the purpose of Statutory Instrument 450/2009 European Communities (Directive 2006/46/
EC) Regulations 2009, as amended by Statutory Instrument 83/2010 European Communities 
(Directive 2006/46/EC) (Amendment) Regulations 2010, the Corporate Governance report on 
pages 40 to 58 is deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Directors’ Report. Details of the 
Company’s Employee Share Schemes and capital structure can be found in notes 8 and 29 to 
the financial statements on pages 116 and 117 and 140 and 141 respectively.

2006 Takeover Regulations:

For the purpose of Regulation 21 of Statutory Instrument 255/2006 European Communities 
(Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006, the rules relating to the appointment 
and replacement of Directors are summarised in the section on Board of Directors in this Report 
on page 94 and in the following sections of the Corporate Governance Report: Membership of 
the Board on page 42, Directors’ retirement and re-election on page 44 and Memorandum and 
Articles of Association on page 58. The Chief Executive will enter into a service contact, the 
principal terms of which are summarised on page 87 of the Directors’ Remuneration Report and 
are deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Directors’ Report. The Company’s 
Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are available on the CRH website, are also 
deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Directors’ Report. The Group has certain banking 
facilities and bond issues outstanding which may require repayment in the event that a change 
in control occurs with respect to the Company. In addition, the Company’s share option 
schemes and Performance Share Plan contain change of control provisions which can allow for 
the acceleration of the exercisability of share options and the vesting of share awards in the 
event that a change of control occurs with respect to the Company.

2007 Transparency Regulations:

For the purpose of Statutory Instrument 277/2007 Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) 
Regulations 2007, the Sustainability Report as published on the CRH website is deemed to be 
incorporated in this part of the Directors’ Report, together with the following sections of this 
annual report: the Chairman’s Introduction on page 3, the Strategy Review section on pages 7 to 
17, the Business Performance Review on pages 18 to 35, the details of earnings per Ordinary 
Share in note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, details of derivative financial 
instruments in note 25, the details of the re-issue of Treasury Shares in note 29 and details of 
employees in note 6.

attributable primarily to asset valuations, 
changes in bond yields and longevity. In 
addition to future service contributions, 
significant cash contributions may be required 
to remediate deficits applicable to past service.

Insurance counterparties: In its worldwide 
insurance programme, the Group carries 
appropriate levels of insurance for typical 
business risks (including product liability) with 
various leading insurance companies. However, 
in the event of the failure of one or more of its 

insurance counterparties, the Group could be 
impacted by losses where recovery from such 
counterparties is not possible. 

Foreign currency translation: CRH’s activities 
are conducted primarily in the local currency 
of the country of operation resulting in low 
levels of foreign currency transactional risk. 
The principal foreign exchange risks to which 
the Consolidated Financial Statements are 
exposed pertain to adverse movements in 
reported results when translated into euro 

(which is the Group’s reporting currency) 
together with declines in the euro value of the 
Group’s net investments which are 
denominated in a wide basket of currencies 
other than the euro.

Goodwill impairment: A review of CRH’s 
portfolio of businesses is currently ongoing, 
and an orderly disposal process is underway 
for 45 business units which do not meet the 
Group’s future returns objectives; this has given 
rise to a goodwill impairment charge of €373 
million in the 2013 financial year. In the light 
of current conditions and outlook, the Group 
does not anticipate further impairment to arise 
as the portfolio review continues. 

Significant under-performance in any of CRH’s 
major cash-generating units or the divestment 
of businesses in the future may give rise to a 
further material write-down of goodwill which 
would have an additional substantial impact on 
the Group’s income and equity. 

Inspections by Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (“PCAOB”): Our auditors, like 
other independent registered public accounting 
firms operating in Ireland and a number of 
other European countries, are not currently 
permitted to be subject to inspection by the 
PCAOB, and as such, investors are deprived of 
the benefits of PCAOB inspections. 

As demonstrated by CRH’s record, the Group’s 
management team has substantial and long 
experience in dealing with the impact of these 
risks. The mechanisms through which the 
principal risks and uncertainties are managed 
are addressed in the “Risk Management and 
Internal Control” section of the Corporate 
Governance Report. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Disclosures relating to the Group’s greenhouse 
gas emissions are contained in the Measuring 
Performance and the Sustainability & 
Governance sections on pages 12 to 17.

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Resolution 3 to be proposed at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting deals with the 2013 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report (excluding the 
Remuneration Policy), as set out on pages 59 to 
78, which the Board has again decided to 
present to shareholders for the purposes of a 
non-binding advisory vote. This is in line with 
international best practice.

Resolution 4 to be proposed at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting deals with the Remuneration 

CRH  93

 
Directors’ Report | continued

Policy for the period 2014 to 2017, as set out  
on pages 79 to 90, which the Board has also 
decided to present to shareholders for the 
purposes of a non-binding advisory vote. The 
Directors believe that the resolution will 
provide shareholders with an opportunity to 
have a say on the framework within which 
remuneration matters are dealt with. 

Board of Directors

Mr. M. Lee retired as Chief Executive and from 
the Board on 31 December 2013. 

Mr. D.A. McGovern, Jr. was appointed to the 
Board with effect from 1 July 2013. Mr. H.Th. 
Rottinghuis was appointed to the Board on  
18 February 2014.

Mr. J.M. de Jong will retire from the Board at 
the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting 
to be held on 7 May 2014.

Under the Company’s Articles of Association, 
co-opted Directors are required to submit 
themselves to shareholders for election at the 
Annual General Meeting following their 
appointment and all the Directors are required 
to submit themselves for re-election at intervals 
of not more than three years. However, in 
accordance with the provisions contained in 
the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board 
has decided that all Directors eligible for 
re-election should retire at each Annual 
General Meeting and offer themselves for 
re-election. 

Auditors 

Section 160(2) of the Companies Act, 1963 
provides that the auditor of an Irish company 
shall be automatically re-appointed at a 
company’s annual general meeting unless the 
auditor has given notice in writing of his 
unwillingness to be re-appointed or a 
resolution has been passed at that meeting 
appointing someone else or providing 
expressly that the incumbent auditor shall not 
be re-appointed. The Auditors, Ernst & Young, 
Chartered Accountants, are willing to continue 
in office. Notwithstanding the provisions of 
Irish company law, the Board has decided to 
provide shareholders with an opportunity to 
have a say on the continuance in office of Ernst 
& Young and a non-binding resolution has been 
included on the agenda for the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting for this purpose. 

As required under Irish law, the Annual 
General Meeting agenda also includes a 
resolution authorising the Directors to fix the 
remuneration of the Auditors. 

Authority to Allot Shares

The Directors require the authority of the 
shareholders to allot any unissued share capital 
of the Company. Accordingly, an ordinary 
resolution will be proposed at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting to grant authority for that 
purpose. The total number of shares which the 
Directors may issue under this authority will be 
limited to a number which is equivalent to 
33% of the issued share capital of the Company 
as at 24 February 2014.

No issue of shares will be made which could 
effectively alter control of the Company 
without prior approval of the Company in 
General Meeting. The Directors have no present 
intention of making any issue of shares. This 
authority will expire on the earlier of the date 
of the Annual General Meeting in 2015 or 6 
August 2015.

Disapplication of Pre-emption Rights

A special resolution will be proposed at the 
2014 Annual General Meeting to renew the 
Directors’ authority to disapply statutory 
pre-emption rights in relation to allotments of 
shares for cash. In respect of allotments other 
than for rights issues to ordinary shareholders 
and employees’ share schemes, the total 
number of shares which the Directors may 
issue under this authority will be limited to a 
number which is equivalent to 5% of the 
issued share capital of the Company as at  
24 February 2014. This authority will expire  
on the earlier of the date of the Annual General 
Meeting in 2015 or 6 August 2015. 

The Directors intend to follow the Pre-Emption 
Group’s Statement of Principles in that 
allotments of shares for cash and the re-issue of 
Treasury Shares on a non pre-emptive basis, 
other than for rights issues to ordinary 
shareholders and employees’ share schemes, 
will not exceed 7.5% of the issued Ordinary/
Income share capital within a rolling three year 
period without prior consultation with its 
shareholders. 

Transactions in Own Shares

During 2013, 1,423,602 (2012: 1,317,872) 
Treasury Shares were re-issued under the 
Group’s Share Schemes. As at 24 February 
2014, 5,919,570 shares were held as Treasury 
Shares, equivalent to 0.81% of the Ordinary 
Shares in issue (excluding Treasury Shares).

A special resolution will be proposed at the 
2014 Annual General Meeting to renew the 
authority of the Company, or any of its 
subsidiaries, to purchase up to 10% of the 

Company’s Ordinary/Income Shares in issue  
at the date of the Annual General Meeting. If 
approved, the minimum price which may be 
paid for shares purchased by the Company 
shall not be less than the nominal value of the 
shares and the maximum price will be 105% of 
the higher of the last independent trade in the 
Company’s shares (or current independent bid, 
if higher) and the average market price of such 
shares over the preceding five days. A special 
resolution will also be proposed for the 
purpose of setting the maximum and minimum 
prices at which Treasury Shares (effectively 
shares purchased and not cancelled) may be 
re-issued off-market by the Company. If 
granted, both of these authorities will expire on 
the earlier of the date of the Annual General 
Meeting in 2015 or 6 August 2015.

As at 24 February 2014, options to subscribe for 
a total of 22,798,918 Ordinary/Income Shares 
are outstanding, representing 3.11% of the 
issued Ordinary/lncome share capital 
(excluding Treasury Shares). If the authority to 
purchase Ordinary/Income Shares was used in 
full, the options would represent 3.45% of the 
remaining shares in issue. 

The Directors do not have any current intention 
of exercising the power to purchase the 
Company’s own shares and will only do so if 
they consider it to be in the best interests of the 
Company and its shareholders. 

Authority to Offer Scrip Dividends

An ordinary resolution will be proposed at the 
2014 Annual General Meeting to renew the 
Directors’ authority to make scrip dividend 
offers. This authority will apply to dividends 
declared or to be paid commencing on 7 May 
2014. Unless renewed at the Annual General 
Meeting in 2015, this authority shall expire at 
the close of business on 6 August 2015. 

Annual General Meeting

A circular to shareholders, which will contain 
the Notice of Meeting and set out details of the 
matters to be considered at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting, will be posted to shareholders 
on 27 March 2014.

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors, whose names are listed on pages 
37 to 39, are responsible for preparing the 
Annual Report and Financial Statements in 
accordance with applicable laws and 
regulations. 

Company law in the Republic of Ireland 
requires the Directors to prepare financial 

94  CRH

position of the Parent Company and which 
enable them to ensure that the Consolidated 
Financial Statements are prepared in 
accordance with applicable International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the European Union and comply with the 
provisions of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013 
and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

The Directors have appointed appropriate 
accounting personnel, including a 
professionally qualified Finance Director,  
in order to ensure that those requirements are 
met. The books and accounting records of the 
Company are maintained at the principal 
executive offices located at Belgard Castle, 
Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

The Directors are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence 
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Each of the Directors, whose names are listed 
on pages 37 to 39, confirms that they consider 
that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy. 

On behalf of the Board,  
N. Hartery, A. Manifold  
Directors 

24 February 2014

statements for each financial year which give  
a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position of the Parent Company and 
of the Group and of the profit or loss of the 
Group taken as a whole for that period 
(Consolidated Financial Statements).

In preparing the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, the Directors are required to:

 – select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently;

 – make judgements and estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent;

 – comply with applicable International 

Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by 
the European Union, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and

 – prepare the financial statements on the going 
concern basis unless it is inappropriate to 
presume that the Group will continue in 
business.

The Directors are required by the 
Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) 
Regulations 2007 and the Transparency Rules 
of the Central Bank of Ireland to include a 
management report containing a fair review of 
the development and performance of the 
business and the position of the Parent 
Company and of the Group taken as a whole 
and a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Group. 

The Directors confirm that to the best of their 
knowledge they have complied with the above 
requirements in preparing the 2013 Annual 
Report and Consolidated Financial 
Statements. The considerations set out above 
for the Group are also required to be 
addressed by the Directors in preparing the 
financial statements of the Parent Company 
(which are set out on pages 145 to 149), in 
respect of which the applicable accounting 
standards are those which are generally 
accepted in the Republic of Ireland.

The Directors have elected to prepare the 
Parent Company’s Financial Statements in 
accordance with Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice in Ireland (Irish GAAP) 
comprising the financial reporting standards 
issued by the Accounting Standards Board and 
published by the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Ireland, together with the 
Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013.

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
proper books of account which disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 

CRH  95

 
Independent Auditor’s Report
to the members of CRH plc

We have audited the financial statements of CRH plc for the year ended  
31 December 2013 which comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, 
the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated 
and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in 
Equity, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Accounting 
Policies, the related notes 1 to 33 (Group) and the related notes 1 to 12 
(Company). The financial reporting framework that has been applied in 
the preparation of the Group Financial Statements is Irish law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the 
European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in the preparation of the Company Financial Statements is Irish law and 
accounting standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council and 
promulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland 
(Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland).

This Report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with section 193 of the Companies Act, 1990.  Our audit work 
has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members 
those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for 
no other purpose.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept 
or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the 
Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this Report, or for 
the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of Directors and Auditors

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set 
out on pages 94 and 95 the Directors are responsible for the preparation of 
the financial statements giving a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to 
audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance 
with Irish law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). 
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused 
by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the Group and the Company’s circumstances 
and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the 
reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Directors; 
and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we 
read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report 
to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements 
and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect 
based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in 
the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for 
our Report.

Opinion on financial statements

In our opinion: 

•  the Group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance 

with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, of the state of the Group’s 
affairs as at 31 December 2013 and of its loss for the year then ended;

•  the Company Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view in accordance 

with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland of the state of 
the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2013; and

•  the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Acts 1963 to 2013 and, as 
regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement 

We identified the following risks that have had the greatest effect on the 
overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and directing 
the efforts of the engagement team:

•  the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill;

•  the assessment of the carrying value of property, plant and equipment 

and financial assets; 

•  the accounting and disclosure implications arising from the portfolio 

review;

•  revenue recognition for construction contracts, principally the timing of 

revenue recognition and the calculations under the percentage-of-
completion method;

•  the accounting for acquisitions and disposals.

Our application of materiality 

We determined materiality for the Group to be €25 million, which is 
approximately 5% of adjusted pre-tax profit as estimated during the year. 
We used adjusted pre-tax profit which excludes the impairment of 
goodwill and the non-recurring impairment of property, plant and 
equipment and financial assets arising from the portfolio review. This 
provided a basis for determining the nature, timing and extent of risk 
assessment procedures, identifying and assessing the risk of material 
misstatement and determining the nature, timing, and extent of further 
audit procedures. 

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that overall 
performance materiality (i.e. our tolerance for misstatement in an 
individual account or balance) for the group should be 50% of planning 
materiality, namely €12.5 million. Our objective in adopting this approach 
was to ensure that total uncorrected and undetected audit differences in 
all accounts did not exceed our planning materiality level.  

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the 
Committee all audit differences in excess of €1.25 million, as well as 
differences below that threshold that in our view warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. 

An overview of the scope of our audit 

The overall scope of our audit has been assessed in line with the 
principles as described above in ‘scope of the audit of the financial 
statements’. In determining which components in the Group to perform 
audit procedures at, we utilised size and risk criteria in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Following this 
assessment of the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial 
statements, we selected 77 components which represent the principal 
business units within the Group’s six business segments. 33 of these 
components were subject to a full audit, whilst another 44 were subject to 
a partial audit where the extent of the audit work was based on our 
assessment of the risks of material misstatement and of the materiality of 
the account balances at those components. They were also selected to 
provide an appropriate basis for undertaking audit work to address the 
risks of material misstatement identified above. For the remaining 
components, we performed other procedures to confirm there were no 
significant risks of material misstatement in the Group financial 
statements.

The audit work at the 77 components was executed at levels of materiality 
applicable to each individual entity which were lower than Group 
materiality.

96  CRH

•  In our opinion the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent 

with the financial statements and the description in the Corporate 
Governance Report of the main features of the internal control and risk 
management systems in relation to the process for preparing the Group 
Financial Statements is consistent with the Group Financial Statements.

•  The net assets of the Company, as stated in the Company Balance Sheet 
are more than half of the amount of its called-up share capital and, in 
our opinion, on that basis there did not exist at 31 December 2013 a 
financial situation which under Section 40 (1) of the Companies 
(Amendment) Act, 1983 would require the convening of an 
extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following:

Under the ISAs (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if, in 
our opinion, information in the Annual Report is: 

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or 

•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 

with, our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing 
our audit; or 

•  is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified any 
inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired during the audit and the 
Directors’ Statement that they consider the Annual Report is fair, balanced 
and understandable and whether the Annual Report appropriately 
discloses those matters that we communicated to the Audit Committee 
which we consider should have been disclosed. 

Under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2013 we are required to report to you 
if, in our opinion, the disclosures of Directors’ remuneration and 
transactions specified by law are not made.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

•  the Directors’ Statement, set out on page 95, in relation to going concern;

•  the part of the Corporate Governance Report relating to the Company’s 
compliance with the nine provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code specified for our review; and

•  certain elements of the report to shareholders by the Board on Directors’ 

remuneration.

Breffni Maguire  
for and on behalf of Ernst & Young 
Dublin

24 February 2014

The Group audit team issued detailed instructions to each component 
auditor in scope for the Group audit, with specific audit requirements and 
confirmation requests across key areas. The Group audit team performed 
site visits at key locations across the Group, including attendance at 
divisional planning and closing meetings and the component auditors’ 
discussion of the risks of fraud and error. 

Our response to the risks identified above was as follows:

•  the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill:  

We considered the determination of the Group’s Cash Generating Units 
(“CGUs”). In conjunction with our valuation specialists, we audited the 
models and assumptions used by management in performing their 
goodwill impairment testing, which have been described in note 15 to 
the Group financial statements. We challenged management’s sensitivity 
analyses and performed our own sensitivity calculations.  

We considered the adequacy of management’s disclosures in respect of 
impairment testing and whether the disclosures about the sensitivity of 
the outcome of the impairment assessment to changes in key 
assumptions appropriately communicated the underlying sensitivities. 

•  the assessment of the carrying value of property, plant and equipment 

and financial assets: 
We challenged the models and assumptions used by management in 
performing their impairment testing of property, plant and equipment 
and financial assets, specifically the reasonableness of the cash flow 
projections and discount rates used. 

•  the accounting and disclosure implications arising from the portfolio 

review: 
We challenged the identification by management of the 45 business 
units determined for disposal as part of the portfolio review. As the 
decision to dispose of these units is a triggering event for an impairment 
review, we audited the business unit valuation models prepared by 
management, and in particular challenged the assumptions used in 
calculating the fair value less cost of disposal. In addition, we 
considered the adequacy of the disclosures related to the resulting asset 
impairment including the sensitivity disclosures.

•  revenue recognition for construction contracts, principally the timing 
of revenue recognition and the calculation under the percentage-of-
completion method: 
We identified and tested the processes over construction contracts 
revenue recognition and challenged the reasonableness of the 
assumptions made by management in the estimates of costs to 
complete and overall stage of completion. In addition, we examined 
contracts and tested revenue recognised in the period ensuring 
compliance with IAS 11.

•  the accounting for acquisitions and disposals: 

Our procedures focused on the reasonableness of purchase price 
allocation adjustments, the accounting treatment of deferred 
consideration, the identification and valuation of acquired intangible 
assets and the determination of the profit or loss on disposals.

Matters on which we are required to report by the Companies Acts 
1963 to 2013

•  We have obtained all the information and explanations which we 

consider necessary for the purposes of our audit.

•  In our opinion proper books of account have been kept by the Company.

•  The Company Balance Sheet is in agreement with the books of account.

CRH  97

 
 
Consolidated Income Statement
for the financial year ended 31 December 2013

Notes

 2  Revenue 

 3  Cost of sales 

Gross profit 

 3  Operating costs 

 2,4,6,7  Group operating profit 

 2,5  Profit on disposals 

Profit before finance costs 

 9  Finance costs  

 9  Finance income 

 9  Other financial expense 

 10  Share of equity accounted investments' loss  

 2  (Loss)/profit before tax 

 11  Income tax expense  

Group (loss)/profit for the financial year 

(Loss)/profit attributable to: 

Equity holders of the Company 

Non-controlling interests 

Group (loss)/profit for the financial year 

13 Basic (loss)/earnings per Ordinary Share 

13 Diluted (loss)/earnings per Ordinary Share 

All of the results relate to continuing operations.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the financial year ended 31 December 2013

2013
€m

 18,031 

(13,314)

 4,717 

(4,617)

 100 

 26 

 126 

(262)

 13 

(48)

(44)

(215)

(80)

(295)

(296)

 1 

(295)

(40.6c)

(40.6c)

Restated
2012
€m

 18,084 

(13,161)

 4,923 

(4,118)

 805 

 230 

 1,035 

(271)

 15 

(49)

(84)

 646 

(106)

 540 

 538 

 2 

 540 

74.6c

74.5c

2013
€m

Restated
2012
€m

Notes

Group (loss)/profit for the financial year 

(295)

 540 

Other comprehensive income 

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years: 

Currency translation effects 

25 (Losses)/gains relating to cash flow hedges 

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years: 

28 Remeasurement of retirement benefit obligations 

11 Tax on items recognised directly within other comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year 

Attributable to: 

Equity holders of the Company 

Non-controlling interests 

Total comprehensive income for the financial year 

N. Hartery, A. Manifold, Directors 

98  CRH

(373)

(2)

(375)

 162 

(43)

 119 

(256)

(551)

(552)

 1 

(551)

(51)

 1 

(50)

(146)

 23 

(123)

(173)

 367 

 366 

 1 

 367 

Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2013

Notes 

ASSETS
Non-current assets

 14  Property, plant and equipment 
 15  Intangible assets 
 16  Investments accounted for using the equity method 
 16  Other financial assets 
 18  Other receivables 
 25  Derivative financial instruments 
 27  Deferred income tax assets 

Total non-current assets 

Current assets 

 17  Inventories 
 18  Trade and other receivables 
 16  Asset held for sale 

Current income tax recoverable 
 25  Derivative financial instruments 
 23  Cash and cash equivalents 
Total current assets 

Total assets 

EQUITY
Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders 

29 Equity share capital 
29 Preference share capital 
29 Share premium account 
29 Treasury Shares and own shares  

Other reserves 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Retained income 

Non-controlling interests 
Total equity 

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities

24 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
25 Derivative financial instruments 
27 Deferred income tax liabilities 
19 Other payables 
28 Retirement benefit obligations 
26 Provisions for liabilities  

Total non-current liabilities 

Current liabilities 

19 Trade and other payables 

Current income tax liabilities 

24 Interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
25 Derivative financial instruments 
26 Provisions for liabilities 
Total current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Total equity and liabilities 

 N. Hartery, A. Manifold, Directors 

2013
€m

Restated
2012
€m

 Restated  
as at  
1 January
2012
€m

 7,539 
 3,911 
 1,340 
 23 
 93 
 63 
 107 
 13,076 

 2,254 
 2,516 
 -   
 26 
 17 
 2,540 
 7,353 

 7,971 
 4,267 
 1,422 
 34 
 83 
 120 
 191 
 14,088 

 2,333 
 2,520 
 143 
 17 
 52 
 1,747 
 6,812 

 8,008 
 4,148 
 2,073 
 34 
 60 
 163 
 274 
 14,760 

 2,179 
 2,542 
 -   
 8 
 24 
 1,246 
 5,999 

 20,429 

 20,900 

 20,759 

 251 
 1 
 4,219 
(118)
 197 
(542)
 5,654 
 9,662 
 24 
 9,686 

 4,579 
 34 
 1,166 
 289 
 410 
 231 
 6,709 

 2,754 
 151 
 961 
 19 
 149 
 4,034 

 249 
 1 
 4,133 
(146)
 182 
(169)
 6,303 
 10,553 
 36 
 10,589 

 4,161 
 14 
 1,232 
 277 
 653 
 256 
 6,593 

 2,775 
 180 
 647 
 6 
 110 
 3,718 

 247 
 1 
 4,047 
(183)
 168 
(119)
 6,358 
 10,519 
 41 
 10,560 

 4,300 
 -   
 1,336 
 184 
 636 
 244 
 6,700 

 2,717 
 193 
 458 
 10 
 121 
 3,499 

 10,743 

 10,311 

 10,199 

 20,429 

 20,900 

 20,759 

CRH  99

 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the financial year ended 31 December 2013

Notes

At 1 January 2013 as reported 

Change in accounting policy 

Attributable to the equity holders of the Company

Issued
share
capital
€m

Share
premium
account
€m

Treasury
Shares/
own
shares
€m

Other
reserves
€m

Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
€m

Retained
income
€m

Non- 
controlling 
interests
€m

Total
equity
€m

 250 

 4,133 

(146)

 182 

(169)

 6,287 

 36 

 10,573 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 16 

 -   

 16 

At 1 January 2013 restated 

 250 

 4,133 

(146)

 182 

(169)

 6,303 

 36 

 10,589 

Group loss for the financial year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

 29  Issue of share capital (net of expenses) 

 8  Share-based payment expense 

- share option schemes 

- Performance Share Plan (PSP) 

 29  Treasury/own shares reissued  

 29  Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares) 

Share option exercises 

 12  Dividends (including shares issued in lieu of dividends) 

 31  Non-controlling interests arising on acquisition of subsidiaries 

Acquisition of non-controlling interests 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 2 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 86 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 34 

(6)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 1 

 14 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(373)

(373)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(296)

 117 

(179)

 -   

 -   

 -   

(34)

 -   

 19 

(455)

 -   

 -   

At 31 December 2013 

 252 

 4,219 

(118)

 197 

(542)

 5,654 

 1 

 -   

 1 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(1)

 1 

(13)

 24 

(295)

(256)

(551)

 88 

 1 

 14 

 -   

(6)

 19 

(456)

 1 

(13)

 9,686 

for the financial year ended 31 December 2012

At 1 January 2012 as reported 

 248 

 4,047 

(183)

 168 

(119)

 6,348 

 74 

 10,583 

Change in accounting policy 

At 1 January 2012 restated 

Group profit for the financial year 

Other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income 

 29  Issue of share capital (net of expenses) 

 8  Share-based payment expense 

- Performance Share Plan (PSP) 

 29  Treasury/own shares reissued  

Share option exercises 

 12  Dividends (including shares issued in lieu of dividends) 

Acquisition of non-controlling interests 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 10 

(33)

(23)

 248 

 4,047 

(183)

 168 

(119)

 6,358 

 41 

 10,560 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 2 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 86 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 37 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 14 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(50)

(50)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 538 

(122)

 416 

 -   

 -   

(37)

 16 

(450)

 -   

 2 

(1)

 1 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(4)

(2)

 540 

(173)

 367 

 88 

 14 

 -   

 16 

(454)

(2)

At 31 December 2012 restated 

 250 

 4,133 

(146)

 182 

(169)

 6,303 

 36 

 10,589 

 N. Hartery, A. Manifold, Directors 

100  CRH

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the financial year ended 31 December 2013

 Notes

  Cash flows from operating activities 

(Loss)/profit before tax 

 9  Finance costs (net) 

 10  Share of equity accounted investments' result 

 5  Profit on disposals 

Group operating profit 

 3  Depreciation charge 
 3  Amortisation of intangible assets  
 3  Impairment charge 
 8  Share-based payment expense 

Other (primarily pension payments) 

 20  Net movement on working capital and provisions 

Cash generated from operations 
Interest paid (including finance leases) 
Corporation tax paid 
Net cash inflow from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 

 5  Proceeds from disposals (net of cash disposed) 

Interest received 
Dividends received from equity accounted investments 

 14  Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
31 Acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) 
16 Other investments and advances 
 20  Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration paid 

Net cash outflow from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from exercise of share options 
Acquisition of non-controlling interests 
Increase in interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases 
Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments 

 29  Treasury/own shares purchased 

Repayment of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases 

 12  Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company 
 12  Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Reconciliation of opening to closing cash and cash equivalents 

 21  Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 

Translation adjustment 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 

 21  Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Reconciliation of opening to closing net debt 

 21  Net debt at 1 January 
 31  Debt in acquired companies 
 5  Debt in disposed companies 

Increase in interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases 
Net cash flow arising from derivative financial instruments 
Repayment of interest-bearing loans, borrowings and finance leases 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Mark-to-market adjustment 
Translation adjustment 
 21  Net debt at 31 December 

N. Hartery, A. Manifold, Directors 

2013
€m

(215)
 297 
 44 
(26)
 100 
 671 
 54 
 650 
 15 
(96)
 77 
 1,471 
(269)
(110)
 1,092 

 122 
 13 
 33 
(497)
(336)
(78)
(105)
(848)

 19 
(13)
 1,491 
 64 
(6)
(586)
(367)
(1)
 601 

 845 

 1,747 
(52)
 845 
 2,540 

(2,909)
(44)
 17 
(1,491)
(64)
 586 
 845 
 10 
 77 
(2,973)

Restated
2012
€m

 646 
 305 
 84 
(230)
 805 
 686 
 44 
 28 
 14 
(152)
(58)
 1,367 
(258)
(124)
 985 

 782 
 16 
 35 
(544)
(418)
(56)
(30)
(215)

 16 
(2)
 487 
 13 
 -   
(394)
(362)
(4)
(246)

 524 

 1,246 
(23)
 524 
 1,747 

(3,335)
(42)
 2 
(487)
(13)
 394 
 524 
 9 
 39 
(2,909)

CRH  101

 
Accounting Policies 
(including key accounting estimates and assumptions)

Statement of Compliance

The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  CRH  plc  have  been  prepared 
in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS) 
as  adopted  by  the  European  Union,  which  comprise  standards  and 
interpretations  approved  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards 
Board  (IASB).  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the  European  Union  differ  in  certain 
respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. On 1 January 2013 the Group 
adopted  IFRS  10,  11  and  12,  whereas  IFRS  as  issued  by  the  European 
Union  has  an  effective  date  for  these  standards  of  1  January  2014.  The 
Group chose to early adopt these standards to ensure consistency with its 
Annual Report and its form 20-F (which is prepared in compliance with 
IFRS as issued by the IASB). The Consolidated Financial Statements for 
the financial years presented would be no different had IFRS as issued by 
the IASB been applied. 

CRH  plc,  the  Parent  Company,  is  a  publicly  traded  limited  company 
incorporated and domiciled in the Republic of Ireland.

Basis of Preparation

The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  which  are  presented  in  euro 
millions,  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention  as 
modified  by  the  measurement  at  fair  value  of  share-based  payments, 
retirement  benefit  obligations  and  certain  financial  assets  and  liabilities 
including derivative financial instruments. 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently by 
all  the  Group’s  subsidiaries,  joint  ventures  and  associates  to  all  periods 
presented in these Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Certain  prior  year  disclosures  have  been  amended  to  conform  to  current 
year presentation.

In accordance with Section 148(8) of the Companies Act, 1963 and Section 
71 (A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the Company is availing of 
the exemption from presenting its individual profit and loss account to the 
Annual General Meeting and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies.

Adoption  of  IFRS  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Interpretations 
Committee (IFRIC) interpretations

(i)  The  following  standards  and  amendments  have  been  adopted  during 

the financial year

•  IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements - amendments

•  IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures - amendments

•  IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements 

•  IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements, IAS 28 Investments in Associates and 

Joint Ventures

•  IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities 

•  IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement 

•  IAS 19 Employee Benefits (revised) 

•  IFRIC 20 Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine 

•  Improvements to IFRS 2009-2011 cycle 

 – IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements

Under  IAS  31  Interests  in  Joint  Ventures,  the  Group’s  net  interests  in  its 
joint arrangements were classified as joint ventures and the Group’s share 
of  assets,  liabilities,  revenue,  income  and  expenses  were  proportionately 
consolidated. Since the adoption of IFRS 11, the Group now accounts for 
its interests in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. The 
change to equity accounting had no impact on the Group’s result after tax 
but impacted each line in the Consolidated Income Statement. The Group’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheet was also impacted on a line by line basis but 
net assets remained unchanged. 

 – IAS 19 Employee Benefits (revised) 

The application of IAS 19 (revised) resulted in a number of amendments 
to  the  Group’s  accounting  for  retirement  benefit  obligations.  The  most 

102  CRH

significant  change  was  in  how  the  net  interest  expense  was  calculated. 
Under  the  revised  standard,  the  Group  no  longer  takes  a  credit  for 
the  expected  return  on  assets  and  the  net  interest  expense  has  been 
calculated  by  multiplying  the  discount  rate  by  the  net  pension  liability, 
both as determined at the start of the annual reporting period, adjusted for 
contributions and benefit payments in the year.

The  Group’s  Swiss  schemes  contain  a  number  of  risk-sharing  features. 
Under IAS 19 (revised), contributions from employees that are set out in 
the formal terms of the plan reduce measurements of the net retirement 
benefit obligation (if they are required to reduce a deficit arising from losses 
on plan assets or actuarial losses) or reduce current service cost (if they 
are linked to service). In addition, the defined benefit pension obligations 
relating  to  the  Group’s  Swiss  schemes  have  now  been  completed  using 
generational  rather  than  periodic  tables;  this  change  has  been  applied 
prospectively from 1 January 2013.

As required by IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates, 
and Errors the nature and effect of changes arising as a result of the adoption 
of IFRS 11 and IAS 19 (revised) on the 2012 reported Consolidated Income 
Statement, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and Consolidated Balance 
Sheet are disclosed in note 1 on pages 109 and 110. Under the transitional 
provisions of IFRS 11 the Group is not required to disclose the impact that 
the adoption of IFRS 11 has had on the current period. If IAS 19 (revised) 
had not been applied in the current period the Group’s net interest expense 
would have been lower by approximately €20 million and remeasurement 
adjustments recognised in other comprehensive income would have been 
approximately €30 million higher.

The  application  of  the  remaining  standards  and  interpretations  did  not 
result in material changes to the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

(ii)  IFRS and IFRIC interpretations being adopted in subsequent years

IFRS  9  Financial  Instruments  as  issued  reflects  the  IASB’s  work  on  the 
replacement of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement 
and applies to the classification and measurement of financial assets and 
liabilities as defined in IAS 39 and the application of hedge accounting. The 
Group will assess the impact of IFRS 9 when the final standard including 
all phases is issued.

There are no other IFRS or IFRIC interpretations that are effective subsequent 
to the CRH 2013 financial year-end that would have a material impact on 
the Group. 

Key  Accounting  Policies  which  involve  Estimates,  Assumptions  and 
Judgements

The  preparation  of  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in  accordance 
with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make  certain  estimates,  assumptions 
and  judgements  that  affect  the  application  of  accounting  policies  and 
the  reported  amounts  of  assets,  liabilities,  income  and  expenses  at  the 
end  of  the  reporting  period.  Management  believes  that  the  estimates, 
assumptions and judgements upon which it relies are reasonable based on 
the information available to it at the time that those estimates, assumptions 
and  judgements  are  made.  In  some  cases,  the  accounting  treatment  of  a 
particular transaction is specifically dictated by IFRS and does not require 
management’s judgement in its application. 

Management  consider  that  their  use  of  estimates,  assumptions  and 
judgements in the application of the Group’s accounting policies are inter-
related and therefore discuss them together below. The critical accounting 
policies which involve significant estimates or assumptions or judgements, 
the actual outcome of which could have a material impact on the Group’s 
results and financial position outlined below, are as follows:

Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill – Notes 14 and 15

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and goodwill
The carrying values of items of property, plant and equipment are reviewed 
for  indicators  of  impairment  at  each  reporting  date  and  are  subject  to 
impairment  testing  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate 
that  the  carrying  values  may  not  be  recoverable.  Goodwill  is  subject  to 
impairment testing on an annual basis and at any time during the year if 

an indicator of impairment is considered to exist. A decision to dispose of 
a business unit represents one such indicator and in these circumstances 
the  recoverable  amount  is  assessed  on  a  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal 
basis. In the year in which a business combination is effected and where 
some  or  all  of  the  goodwill  allocated  to  a  particular  cash-generating  unit 
arose in respect of that combination, the cash-generating unit is tested for 
impairment prior to the end of the relevant annual period. 

Property, plant and equipment assets are reviewed for potential impairment 
by applying a series of external and internal indicators specific to the assets 
under  consideration;  these  indicators  encompass  macroeconomic  issues 
including  the  inherent  cyclicality  of  the  building  materials  sector,  actual 
obsolescence or physical damage, a deterioration in forecast performance in 
the internal reporting cycle and restructuring and rationalisation programmes.

Where  the  carrying  value  exceeds  the  estimated  recoverable  amount 
(being  the  greater  of  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal  and  value-in-use), 
an  impairment  loss  is  recognised  by  writing  down  the  assets  to  their 
recoverable  amount.  In  assessing  value-in-use,  the  estimated  future  cash 
flows  are  discounted  to  their  present  value  using  a  pre-tax  discount  rate 
that  reflects  current  market  assessments  of  the  time  value  of  money  and 
the risks specific to the asset for which the future cash flow estimates have 
not been adjusted. The estimates of future cash flows exclude cash inflows 
or outflows attributable to financing activities and income tax. For an asset 
that  does  not  generate  largely  independent  cash  inflows,  the  recoverable 
amount  is  determined  by  reference  to  the  cash-generating  unit  to  which 
the asset belongs. Impairment losses arising in respect of goodwill are not 
reversed once recognised.

Goodwill relating to associates and joint ventures is included in the carrying 
amount of the investment and is neither amortised nor individually tested 
for  impairment.  Where  indicators  of  impairment  of  an  investment  arise 
in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement, the carrying amount is tested for impairment 
by comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying amount.

The impairment testing process requires management to make significant 
judgements  and  estimates  regarding  the  future  cash  flows  expected  to  be 
generated by the use of and, if applicable, the eventual disposal of, long-lived 
assets and goodwill as well as other factors to determine the fair value of the 
assets. Management periodically evaluates and updates the estimates based 
on  the  conditions  which  influence  these  variables.  A  detailed  discussion 
of the impairment methodology applied and key assumptions used by the 
Group in the context of long-lived assets and goodwill are provided in notes 
14 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

The assumptions and conditions for determining impairments of long-lived 
assets and goodwill reflect management’s best assumptions and estimates, 
but  these  items  involve  inherent  uncertainties  described  above,  many  of 
which are not under management’s control. As a result, the accounting for 
such  items  could  result  in  different  estimates  or  amounts  if  management 
used  different  assumptions  or  if  different  conditions  occur  in  future 
accounting periods. 

Retirement benefit obligations – Note 28

Costs arising in respect of the Group’s defined contribution pension schemes 
are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the period in which 
they are incurred. The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to pay 
further  contributions  in  the  event  that  the  fund  does  not  hold  sufficient 
assets to meet its benefit commitments.

The  liabilities  and  costs  associated  with  the  Group’s  defined  benefit 
pension schemes (both funded and unfunded) are assessed on the basis of 
the projected unit credit method by professionally qualified actuaries and 
are arrived at using actuarial assumptions based on market expectations 
at the balance sheet date. The discount rates employed in determining the 
present  value  of  the  schemes’  liabilities  are  determined  by  reference  to 
market yields at the balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds 
of  a  currency  and  term  consistent  with  the  currency  and  term  of  the 
associated post-employment benefit obligations. 

The  net  surplus  or  deficit  arising  on  the  Group’s  defined  benefit  pension 

schemes, together with the liabilities associated with the unfunded schemes, 
are shown either within non-current assets or non-current liabilities in the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheet.  The  deferred  tax  impact  of  pension  scheme 
surpluses and deficits is disclosed separately within deferred tax assets or 
liabilities as appropriate. Remeasurements, comprising actuarial gains and 
losses and the return on plan assets (excluding net interest), are recognised 
immediately in the Consolidated Balance Sheet with a corresponding debit 
or credit to retained earnings through other comprehensive income in the 
period in which they occur. Remeasurements are not reclassified to profit 
or loss in subsequent periods.

The  defined  benefit  pension  asset  or  liability  in  the  Consolidated  Balance 
Sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined 
benefit obligation less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations 
are to be settled directly. Plan assets are assets that are held by a long-term 
employee benefit fund or qualifying insurance policies. Fair value is based 
on market price information and, in the case of published securities, it is the 
published bid price. The value of any defined benefit asset is limited to the 
present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from 
the plan and reductions in the future contributions to the plan.

The Group’s obligation in respect of post-employment healthcare and life 
assurance benefits represents the amount of future benefit that employees 
have  earned  in  return  for  service  in  the  current  and  prior  periods.  The 
obligation  is  computed  on  the  basis  of  the  projected  unit  credit  method 
and  is  discounted  to  present  value  using  a  discount  rate  equating  to  the 
market yield at the balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds of a 
currency and term consistent with the currency and estimated term of the 
post-employment obligations.

Assumptions
The  assumptions  underlying  the  actuarial  valuations  from  which  the 
amounts recognised in the Consolidated Financial Statements are determined 
(including discount rates, rates of increase in future compensation levels, 
mortality  rates  and  healthcare  cost  trend  rates)  are  updated  annually 
based  on  current  economic  conditions  and  for  any  relevant  changes  to 
the terms and conditions of the pension and post-retirement plans. These 
assumptions can be affected by (i) for the discount rate, changes in the rates 
of  return  on  high-quality  corporate  bonds;  (ii)  for  future  compensation 
levels,  future  labour  market  conditions  and  (iii)  for  healthcare  cost  trend 
rates, the rate of medical cost inflation in the relevant regions. The weighted 
average actuarial assumptions used and sensitivity analysis in relation to 
the significant assumptions employed in the determination of pension and 
other post-retirement liabilities are contained in note 28 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

While  management  believes  that  the  assumptions  used  are  appropriate, 
differences  in  actual  experience  or  changes  in  assumptions  may  affect  the 
obligations and expenses recognised in future accounting periods. The assets 
and  liabilities  of  defined  benefit  pension  schemes  may  exhibit  significant 
period-on-period volatility attributable primarily to changes in bond yields 
and  longevity.  In  addition  to  future  service  contributions,  significant  cash 
contributions may be required to remediate past service deficits.

Provisions for liabilities – Note 26

A provision is recognised when the Group has a present obligation (either 
legal  or  constructive)  as  a  result  of  a  past  event,  it  is  probable  that  a 
transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and 
a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Where the 
Group anticipates that a provision will be reimbursed, the reimbursement 
is  recognised  as  a  separate  asset  only  when  it  is  virtually  certain  that 
the  reimbursement  will  arise.  The  expense  relating  to  any  provision  is 
presented in the Consolidated Income Statement net of any reimbursement. 
Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected 
to  be  required  to  settle  the  obligation.  The  increase  in  the  provision  due 
to  passage  of  time  is  recognised  as  interest  expense.  Provisions  arising 
on  business  combination  activity  are  recognised  only  to  the  extent  that 
they  would  have  qualified  for  recognition  in  the  financial  statements  of 
the acquiree prior to acquisition. Provisions are not recognised for future 
operating losses.

CRH  103

 
Accounting Policies | continued

Rationalisation and redundancy provisions
Provisions  for  rationalisation  and  redundancy  are  established  when  a 
detailed  restructuring  plan  has  been  drawn  up,  resolved  upon  by  the 
responsible  decision-making  level  of  management  and  communicated 
to  the  employees  who  are  affected  by  the  plan.  These  provisions  are 
recognised  at  the  present  value  of  future  disbursements  and  cover  only 
expenses that arise directly from restructuring measures and are necessary 
for restructuring; these provisions exclude costs related to future business 
operations. Restructuring measures may include the sale or termination of 
business units, site closures, and relocation of business activities, changes 
in management structure or a fundamental reorganisation of departments 
or business units.

Environmental and remediation provisions 
The  measurement  of  environmental  and  remediation  provisions  is  based 
on an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual 
site  and  considers  factors  such  as  existing  technology,  currently  enacted 
laws and regulations and prior experience in remediation of sites. Inherent 
uncertainties exist in such evaluations primarily due to unknown conditions, 
changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, 
the protracted length of the clean-up periods and evolving technologies. The 
environmental and remediation liabilities provided for in the Consolidated 
Financial  Statements  reflect  the  information  available  to  management  at 
the time of determination of the liability and are adjusted periodically as 
remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information 
becomes available. Due to the inherent uncertainties described above, many 
of which are not under management’s control, the accounting for such items 
could result in different amounts if management used different assumptions 
or if different conditions occur in future accounting periods. 

Legal contingencies 
The  status  of  each  significant  claim  and  legal  proceeding  in  which  the 
Group is involved is reviewed by management on a periodic basis and the 
Group’s potential financial exposure is assessed. If the potential loss from 
any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable, and the amount can 
be estimated, a liability is recognised for the estimated loss. Because of the 
uncertainties inherent in such matters, the related provisions are based on 
the  best  information  available  at  the  time;  the  issues  taken  into  account 
by  management  and  factored  into  the  assessment  of  legal  contingencies 
include, as applicable, the status of settlement negotiations, interpretations 
of  contractual  obligations,  prior  experience  with  similar  contingencies/
claims,  the  availability  of  insurance  to  protect  against  the  downside 
exposure and advice obtained from legal counsel and other third parties. As 
additional information becomes available on pending claims, the potential 
liability is reassessed and revisions are made to the amounts accrued where 
appropriate. Such revisions in the estimates of the potential liabilities could 
have a material impact on the results of operations and financial position 
of the Group. 

Taxation – current and deferred – Notes 11 and 27

Current  tax  represents  the  expected  tax  payable  (or  recoverable)  on  the 
taxable profit for the year using tax rates enacted for the period. Any interest 
or  penalties  arising  are  included  within  current  tax.  Where  items  are 
accounted for outside of profit or loss, the related income tax is recognised 
either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity as appropriate.

Deferred  tax  is  recognised  using  the  liability  method  on  temporary 
differences arising at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets 
and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise 
from the initial recognition of goodwill; in addition, deferred income tax is 
not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability 
in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the 
transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. For the most 
part, no provision has been made for temporary differences applicable to 
investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures as the Group is in a position 
to  control  the  timing  of  reversal  of  the  temporary  differences  and  it  is 
probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future. However, a temporary difference has been recognised to the extent 

that specific assets have been identified for sale or where there is a specific 
intention to unwind the temporary difference in the foreseeable future. Due 
to the absence of control in the context of associates (significant influence 
only), deferred tax liabilities are recognised where appropriate in respect 
of  CRH’s  investments  in  these  entities  on  the  basis  that  the  exercise  of 
significant influence would not necessarily prevent earnings being remitted 
by other shareholders in the undertaking.

Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted 
or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply 
when  the  related  deferred  income  tax  asset  is  realised  or  the  deferred 
income  tax  liability  is  settled.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  not 
subject to discounting. 

Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  in  respect  of  all  deductible  temporary 
differences, carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which 
the temporary differences can be utilised. The carrying amounts of deferred 
tax assets are subject to review at each balance sheet date and are reduced 
to the extent that future taxable profits are considered to be inadequate to 
allow all or part of any deferred tax asset to be utilised. 

The  Group’s  income  tax  charge  is  based  on  reported  profit  and  expected 
statutory  tax  rates,  which  reflect  various  allowances  and  reliefs  and 
tax  planning  opportunities  available  to  the  Group  in  the  multiple  tax 
jurisdictions  in  which  it  operates.  The  determination  of  the  Group’s 
provision  for  income  tax  requires  certain  judgements  and  estimates  in 
relation  to  matters  where  the  ultimate  tax  outcome  may  not  be  certain. 
The  recognition  or  non-recognition  of  deferred  tax  assets  as  appropriate 
also  requires  judgement  as  it  involves  an  assessment  of  the  future 
recoverability of those assets. In addition, the Group is subject to tax audits 
which  can  involve  complex  issues  that  could  require  extended  periods 
for resolution. Although management believes that the estimates included 
in  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements and its  tax return positions are 
reasonable,  no  assurance  can  be  given  that  the  final  outcome  of  these 
matters  will  not  be  different  than  that  which  is  reflected  in  the  Group’s 
historical income tax provisions and accruals. Any such differences could 
have a material impact on the income tax provision and profit for the period 
in which such a determination is made. 

Property, plant and equipment – Note 14

The  Group’s  accounting  policy  for  property,  plant  and  equipment  is 
considered  critical  because  the  carrying  value  of  €7,539  million  at  31 
December 2013 represents a significant portion (37%) of total assets at that 
date. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less any accumulated 
depreciation  and  any  accumulated  impairments  except  for  certain  items 
that had been revalued to fair value prior to the date of transition to IFRS 
(1 January 2004).

Repair  and  maintenance  expenditure  is  included  in  an  asset’s  carrying 
amount or recognised  as  a  separate asset,  as appropriate, only when it is 
probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow 
to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other 
repair and maintenance expenditure is charged to the Consolidated Income 
Statement during the financial period in which it is incurred.

Borrowing costs incurred in the construction of major assets which take a 
substantial period of time to complete are capitalised in the financial period 
in which they are incurred. 

In  the  application  of  the  Group’s  accounting  policy,  judgement  is 
exercised  by  management  in  the  determination  of  residual  values  and 
useful  lives.  Depreciation  and  depletion  is  calculated  to  write  off  the 
book value of each item of property, plant and equipment over its useful 
economic life on a straight-line basis at the following rates:

Land and buildings: The book value of mineral-bearing land, less an estimate 
of its residual value, is depleted over the period of the mineral extraction in 
the proportion which production for the year bears to the latest estimates of 
mineral reserves. Land other than mineral-bearing land is not depreciated. 
In general, buildings are depreciated at 2.5% per annum (“p.a.”).

104  CRH

Plant and machinery:  These are depreciated at rates ranging from 3.3% p.a. 
to 20% p.a. depending on the type of asset. Plant and machinery includes 
transport which is, on average, depreciated at 20% p.a.

Depreciation  methods,  useful  lives  and  residual  values  are  reviewed  at 
each financial year-end. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected 
pattern  of  consumption  of  future  economic  benefits  embodied  in  the 
asset are accounted for by changing the depreciation period or method as 
appropriate on a prospective basis. For the Group’s accounting policy on 
impairment  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  please  see  impairment  of 
long-lived assets and goodwill.

Other Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of consolidation

The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  include  the  financial  statements 
of the Parent Company and all subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, 
drawn up to 31 December each year. The financial year-ends of the Group’s 
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are co-terminous.

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group 
controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns  from  its  involvement  with  the  entity  and  has  the  ability  to  affect 
those  returns  through  its  power  over  the  entity.  Subsidiaries  are  fully 
consolidated  from  the  date  on  which  control  is  transferred  to  the  Group. 
They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. A change in the 
ownership interest of a subsidiary without a change in control is accounted 
for as an equity transaction.

Non-controlling interests represent the portion of the equity of a subsidiary 
not attributable either directly or indirectly to the Parent Company and are 
presented  separately  in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  and  within 
equity  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet,  distinguished  from  Parent 
Company  shareholders’  equity.  Acquisitions  of  non-controlling  interests 
are accounted for as transactions with equity holders in their capacity as 
equity holders and therefore no goodwill is recognised as a result of such 
transactions. On an acquisition by acquisition basis, the Group recognises 
any  non-controlling  interest  in  the  acquiree  either  at  fair  value  or  at  the 
non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.

Investments in associates and joint ventures – Notes 10 and 16
An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. 
Significant  influence  is  the  power  to  participate  in  the  financial  and 
operating policy decisions of an entity, but is not control or joint control 
over those policies.

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have 
joint  control  of  the  arrangement  have  rights  to  the  net  assets  of  the  joint 
venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of the 
arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities 
require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

The Group’s investments in its associates and joint ventures are accounted 
for using the equity method from the date significant influence/joint control 
is deemed to arise until the date on which significant influence/joint control 
ceases to exist.

The Consolidated Income Statement reflects the Group’s share of profit after 
tax of the related associates and joint ventures. Investments in associates 
and  joint  ventures  are  carried  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  at  cost 
adjusted  in  respect  of  post-acquisition  changes  in  the  Group’s  share  of 
net  assets,  less  any  impairment  in  value.  If  necessary,  impairment  losses 
on the carrying amount of an investment are reported within the Group’s 
share of equity accounted investments results in the Consolidated Income 
Statement.  If  the  Group’s  share  of  losses  exceeds  the  carrying  amount  of 
an  associate  or  joint  venture,  the  carrying  amount  is  reduced  to  nil  and 
recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the 
Group has incurred obligations in respect of the associate or joint venture.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-group  balances  and  transactions,  income  and  expenses,  and  any 

unrealised gains or losses arising from such transactions, are eliminated in 
preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements. Unrealised gains arising 
from transactions with joint ventures and associates are eliminated to the 
extent of the Group’s interest in the entity. Unrealised losses are eliminated 
in the same manner as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is 
no evidence of impairment in the Group’s interest in the entity.

Revenue recognition

Revenue represents the value of goods and services supplied and is net of 
trade  discounts  and  value  added  tax/sales  tax.  Other  than  in  the  case  of 
construction contracts, revenue is recognised to the extent that revenue and 
related costs incurred or to be incurred are subject to reliable measurement, 
that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and that 
the  significant  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  have  passed  to  the  buyer, 
usually on delivery of the goods. 

Construction contracts
The Group engages primarily in the performance of fixed price contracts, 
as  opposed  to  cost  plus  contracts,  and  recognises  revenue  in  accordance 
with the percentage-of-completion method, with the completion percentage 
being computed generally by reference to the proportion that contract costs 
incurred at the balance sheet date bear to the total estimated costs of the 
contract. 

Contract costs are recognised as incurred. When the outcome of a construction 
contract can be estimated reliably and it is probable that the contract will 
be profitable, contract revenue is recognised over the period of the contract. 
When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, 
contract revenue is recognised only to the extent of contract costs incurred 
where it is probable that these costs will be recoverable. When it is probable 
that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss 
is recognised immediately as an expense. Revenue and/or costs in respect 
of variations or contracts claims and incentive payments, to the extent that 
they arise, are recognised when it is probable that the amount, which can be 
measured reliably, will be recovered from/paid to the customer. 

If circumstances arise that may change the original estimates of revenues, 
costs or extent of progress towards completion, estimates are revised. These 
revisions may result in increases or decreases in revenue or costs and are 
reflected in income in the period in which the circumstances that give rise 
to the revision became known by management.

Segment reporting – Note 2

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal 
organisational  and  management  structure  and  the  internal  reporting 
information  provided  to  the  Chief  Operating  Decision-Maker  who  is 
responsible  for  allocating  resources  and  assessing  performance  of  the 
operating segments. 

Share-based payments – Note 8 

The Group operates Share Option Schemes, a Performance Share Plan and a 
Restricted Share Plan. Its policy in relation to the granting of share options 
and the granting of awards under the Performance Share Plan together with 
the nature of the underlying market and non-market performance and other 
vesting conditions are addressed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
page 62. The Group’s employee share options and shares awarded under the 
Performance Share Plan and Restricted Share Plan are equity-settled share-
based payments as defined in IFRS 2 Share-Based Payment.

Share options
For share option awards, the Group measures the services received and the 
corresponding increase in equity at fair value at the grant date using the 
trinomial model (a lattice option-pricing model in accordance with IFRS 
2). Fair value is determined on the basis that the services to be rendered 
by  employees  as  consideration  for  the  granting  of  share  options  will  be 
received over the vesting period, which is assessed as at the grant date. 
The share options granted by the Company are at market value at date of 
grant  and  are  not  subject  to  market-based  vesting  conditions  within  the 
meaning of IFRS 2.

CRH  105

 
Accounting Policies | continued

The cost is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over 
the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled. 
The cumulative expense recognised at each reporting date until the vesting 
date reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the Group’s 
best estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. 
The Consolidated Income Statement expense/credit for a period represents 
the movement in cumulative expense recognised at the beginning and end 
of that period. The cumulative charge to the Consolidated Income Statement 
is  reversed  only  where  the  performance  condition  is  not  met  or  where  an 
employee in receipt of share options leaves service prior to completion of the 
expected vesting period and those options forfeit in consequence. 

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except 
for share-based payments where vesting is conditional upon a non-vesting 
condition which is treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not it is 
satisfied,  provided  that  all  other  performance  and/or  service  conditions 
are satisfied.

Where an award is cancelled, it is treated as if it is vested on the date of 
cancellation, and any expense not yet recognised for the award is recognised 
immediately.  This  includes  any  award  where  non-vesting  conditions 
within the control of either the Company or the employee are not met. All 
cancellations of awards are treated equally. 

The  proceeds  received  net  of  any  directly  attributable  transaction  costs 
are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium when the 
options are exercised.

The  dilutive  effect  of  outstanding  options  is  reflected  as  additional  share 
dilution in the determination of diluted earnings per share.

To the extent that the Group receives a tax deduction relating to the services 
paid in shares, deferred tax in respect of share options is provided on the 
basis of the difference between the market price of the underlying equity as 
at the date of the financial statements and the exercise price of the option; 
where the amount of any tax deduction (or estimated future tax deduction) 
exceeds the amount of the related cumulative remuneration expense, the 
current or deferred tax associated with the excess is recognised directly in 
equity.

The Group has no exposure in respect of cash-settled share-based payment 
transactions and share-based payment transactions with cash alternatives.

Awards under the Performance Share Plan
The  fair  value  of  shares  awarded  under  the  Performance  Share  Plan  is 
determined  using  a  Monte  Carlo  simulation  technique  and  is  expensed 
in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  over  the  vesting  period.  The 
Performance Share Plan contains inter alia a total shareholder return-based 
(and  hence  market-based)  vesting  condition;  accordingly,  the  fair  value 
assigned to the related equity instruments at the grant date is adjusted so 
as to reflect the anticipated likelihood as at the grant date of achieving the 
market-based vesting condition. Awards are treated as vesting irrespective 
of whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that all other 
performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

Awards under the Restricted Share Plan
The fair value of shares granted under the Restricted Share Plan is calculated 
as the market price of the shares at the date of grant reduced by the present 
value of dividends expected to be paid over the vesting period. 

Business combinations – Note 31

The  Group  applies  the  acquisition  method  in  accounting  for  business 
combinations.  The  cost  of  an  acquisition  is  measured  as  the  aggregate  of 
the consideration transferred (excluding amounts relating to the settlement 
of  pre-existing  relationships),  the  amount  of  any  non-controlling  interest 
in  the  acquiree  and,  in  a  business  combination  achieved  in  stages,  the 
acquisition-date fair value of the acquirer’s previously-held equity interest 
in the acquiree. Transaction costs that the Group incurs in connection with 
a business combination are expensed as incurred.

To the extent that settlement of all or any part of a business combination is 
deferred, the fair value of the deferred component is determined through 

discounting  the  amounts  payable  to  their  present  value  at  the  date  of 
exchange.  The  discount  component  is  unwound  as  an  interest  charge  in 
the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the obligation. Where 
a  business  combination  agreement  provides  for  an  adjustment  to  the 
cost  of  the  combination  contingent  on  future  events,  the  amount  of  the 
adjustment  is  included  in  the  cost  at  the  acquisition  date  at  fair  value. 
The fair value of contingent consideration at acquisition date is arrived at 
through discounting the expected payment (based on scenario modelling) 
to present value. In general, in order for contingent consideration to become 
payable, pre-defined profit and/or profit/net asset ratios must be exceeded. 
Subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration will be 
recognised in profit or loss unless the contingent consideration is classified 
as equity, in which case it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted 
for within equity.

The  assets  and  liabilities  arising  on  business  combination  activity  are 
measured  at  their  acquisition-date  fair  values.  Contingent  liabilities 
assumed  in  business  combination  activity  are  recognised  as  of  the 
acquisition date, where such contingent liabilities are present obligations 
arising from past events and their fair value can be measured reliably. In 
the case of a business combination achieved in stages, the acquisition-date 
fair value of the acquirer’s previously-held equity interest in the acquiree 
is remeasured to fair value as at the acquisition date through profit or loss. 
When  the  initial  accounting  for  a  business  combination  is  determined 
provisionally,  any  adjustments  to  the  provisional  values  allocated  to  the 
identifiable assets and liabilities (and contingent liabilities, if relevant) are 
made within the measurement period, a period of no more than one year 
from the acquisition date.

Goodwill – Note 15

Goodwill  arising  on  a  business  combination  is  initially  measured  at  cost 
being  the  excess  of  the  cost  of  an  acquisition  over  the  net  identifiable 
assets and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition and relates to the 
future  economic  benefits  arising  from  assets  which  are  not  capable  of 
being individually identified and separately recognised. Following initial 
recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment 
losses. If the cost of the acquisition is lower than the fair value of the net 
assets of the subsidiary acquired, the identification and measurement of the 
related assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities are revisited and the 
cost is reassessed with any remaining balance recognised immediately in 
the Consolidated Income Statement. 

The carrying amount of goodwill in respect of associates and joint ventures 
is  included  in  investments  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  (i.e. 
within financial assets) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Where a subsidiary is disposed of or terminated through closure, the carrying 
value of any goodwill of that subsidiary is included in the determination of 
the net profit or loss on disposal/termination.

Intangible assets (other than goodwill) arising on business combinations 
– Note 15

An  intangible  asset  is  capitalised  separately  from  goodwill  as  part  of  a 
business combination at cost (fair value at date of acquisition) to the extent 
that it is probable that the expected future economic benefits attributable to 
the asset will flow to the Group and that its cost can be measured reliably. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less 
any  accumulated  amortisation  and  any  accumulated  impairment  losses. 
The carrying values of definite-lived intangible assets (the Group does not 
currently have any indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill) 
are  reviewed  for  indicators  of  impairment  at  each  reporting  date  and  are 
subject  to  impairment  testing  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances 
indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.

The  amortisation  of  intangible  assets  is  calculated  to  write  off  the  book 
value of definite-lived intangible assets over their useful lives on a straight-
line  basis  on  the  assumption  of  zero  residual  value.  In  general,  definite-
lived intangible assets are amortised over periods ranging from one to ten 
years, depending on the nature of the intangible asset.

106  CRH

Amortisation  periods,  useful  lives,  expected  patterns  of  consumption 
and  residual  values  are  reviewed  at  each  financial  year-end.  Changes  in 
the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future 
economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the 
amortisation period or method as appropriate on a prospective basis. 

Other financial assets – Note 16

All  investments  are  initially  recognised  at  the  fair  value  of  consideration 
given  plus  any  directly  attributable  transaction  costs.  Where  equity 
investments are actively traded in organised financial markets, fair value is 
determined by reference to Stock Exchange quoted market bid prices at the 
close of business on the balance sheet date. Unquoted equity investments 
are recorded at historical cost given that it is impracticable to determine fair 
value in accordance with IAS 39 and are included within financial assets in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Leases – Notes 4 and 30 

Leases  where  the  lessor  retains  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of 
ownership  are  classified  as  operating  leases.  Operating  lease  rentals  are 
charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term.

Inventories and construction contracts – Note 17

Inventories  are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost  and  net  realisable  value.  Cost 
is  based  on  the  first-in,  first-out  principle  (and  weighted  average,  where 
appropriate)  and  includes  all  expenditure  incurred  in  acquiring  the 
inventories and bringing them to their present location and condition. Raw 
materials  are  valued  on  the  basis  of  purchase  cost  on  a  first-in,  first-out 
basis.  In  the  case  of  finished  goods  and  work-in-progress,  cost  includes 
direct materials, direct labour and attributable overheads based on normal 
operating capacity and excludes borrowing costs. 

Net  realisable  value  is  the  estimated  proceeds  of  sale  less  all  further 
costs  to  completion,  and  less  all  costs  to  be  incurred  in  marketing, 
selling  and  distribution.  Estimates  of  net  realisable  value  are  based  on 
the most reliable evidence available at the time the estimates are made, 
taking into consideration fluctuations of price or cost directly relating to 
events occurring after the end of the period, the likelihood of short-term 
changes in buyer preferences, product obsolescence or perishability (all 
of which are generally low given the nature of the Group’s products) and 
the purpose for which the inventory is held. Materials and other supplies 
held for use in the production of inventories are not written down below 
cost if the finished goods, in which they will be incorporated, are expected 
to be sold at or above cost. 

cash management, they are netted against cash and cash equivalents for the 
purposes of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings – Note 24 

All  loans  and  borrowings  are  initially  recorded  at  the  fair  value  of  the 
consideration  received  net  of  directly  attributable  transaction  costs. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, current and non-current interest-bearing 
loans and borrowings are, in general, measured at amortised cost employing 
the  effective  interest  methodology.  Fixed  rate  term  loans,  which  have 
been  hedged  to  floating rates (using interest  rate swaps), are measured  at 
amortised cost adjusted for changes in value attributable to the hedged risks 
arising from changes in underlying market interest rates. The computation 
of  amortised  cost  includes  any  issue  costs  and  any  discount  or  premium 
materialising on settlement. 

Gains  and  losses  are  recognised  in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement 
through amortisation on the basis of the period of the loans and borrowings.

Borrowing  costs  arising  on  financial  instruments  are  recognised  as  an 
expense in the period in which they are incurred (unless capitalised as part 
of the cost of property, plant and equipment).

Derivative financial instruments and hedging practices – Note 25

In order to manage interest rate, foreign currency and commodity risks and 
to  realise  the  desired  currency  profile  of  borrowings,  the  Group  employs 
derivative financial instruments (principally interest rate swaps, currency 
swaps  and  forward  foreign  exchange  contracts).  Derivative  financial 
instruments  are  recognised  initially  at  fair  value  on  the  date  on  which  a 
derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair 
value. The carrying value of derivatives is fair value based on discounted 
future  cash  flows  and  adjusted  for  counterparty  risk.  Future  floating  rate 
cash  flows  are  estimated  based  on  future  interest  rates  (from  observable 
yield curves at the end of the reporting period). Fixed and floating rate cash 
flows  are  discounted  at  future  interest  rates  and  translated  at  period  end 
foreign exchange rates.

At  the  inception  of  a  derivative  transaction,  the  Group  documents  the 
relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument together 
with its risk management objective and the strategy underlying the proposed 
transaction. The Group also documents its assessment, both at the inception 
of the hedging relationship and subsequently on an ongoing basis, of the 
effectiveness of the hedging instrument in offsetting movements in the fair 
values or cash flows of the hedged items. Where derivatives do not fulfil 
the criteria for hedge accounting, changes in fair values are reported in the 
Consolidated Income Statement. 

Amounts  recoverable  on  construction  contracts,  which  are  included  in 
receivables,  are  stated  at  the  net  invoiced  value  of  the  work  done  less 
amounts  received  as  progress  payments  on  account.  Cumulative  costs 
incurred,  net  of  amounts  transferred  to  cost  of  sales,  after  deducting 
foreseeable losses, provisions for contingencies and payments on account 
not matched with revenue, are included as construction contract balances 
in  inventories.  Cost  includes  all  expenditure  directly  related  to  specific 
projects and an allocation of fixed and variable overheads incurred in the 
Group’s contract activities based on normal operating capacity.

Fair value and cash flow hedges
The  Group  uses  fair  value  hedges  and  cash  flow  hedges  in  its  treasury 
activities. For the purposes of hedge accounting, hedges are classified either 
as fair value hedges (which entail hedging the exposure to movements in 
the  fair  value  of  a  recognised  asset  or  liability  or  an  unrecognised  firm 
commitment  that  could  affect  profit  or  loss)  or  cash  flow  hedges  (which 
hedge exposure to fluctuations in future cash flows derived from a particular 
risk  associated  with  a  recognised  asset  or  liability,  or  a  highly  probable 
forecast transaction that could affect profit or loss).

Trade and other receivables – Note 18 

Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less an allowance 
for potentially uncollectible debts. Provision is made when there is objective 
evidence that the Group will not be in a position to collect the associated 
debts. Bad debts are written-off in the Consolidated Income Statement on 
identification.

Cash and cash equivalents – Note 23

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances held for the purpose of 
meeting short-term cash commitments and investments which are readily 
convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant 
risk  of  change  in  value.  Bank  overdrafts  are  included  within  current 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 
Where the overdrafts are repayable on demand and form an integral part of 

Where  the  conditions  for  hedge  accounting  are  satisfied  and  the  hedging 
instrument  concerned  is classified as a fair value hedge,  any gain or loss 
stemming from the remeasurement of the hedging instrument to fair value 
is  reported  in  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement.  In  addition,  any  gain 
or  loss  on  the  hedged  item  which  is  attributable  to  the  hedged  risk  is 
adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and reflected in the 
Consolidated  Income  Statement.  Where  the  adjustment  is  to  the  carrying 
amount of a hedged interest-bearing financial instrument, the adjustment 
is  amortised  to  the  Consolidated  Income  Statement  with  the  objective  of 
achieving full amortisation by maturity.

Where  a  derivative  financial  instrument  is  designated  as  a  hedge  of  the 
variability  in  cash  flows  of  a  recognised  asset  or  liability  or  a  highly 
probable forecast transaction that could affect profit or loss, the effective 
part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised 

CRH  107

 
Accounting Policies | continued

as  other  comprehensive  income,  net  of  the  income  tax  effect,  with  the 
ineffective portion being reported in the Consolidated Income Statement. 
The  associated  gains  or  losses  that  had  previously  been  recognised  as 
other comprehensive income are transferred to the Consolidated Income 
Statement  contemporaneously  with  the  materialisation  of  the  hedged 
transaction. Any gain or loss arising in respect of changes in the time value 
of the derivative financial instrument is excluded from the measurement 
of hedge effectiveness and is recognised immediately in the Consolidated 
Income Statement.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires 
or  is  sold,  terminated  or  exercised,  or  no  longer  qualifies  for  hedge 
accounting.  At  that  point  in  time,  any  cumulative  gain  or  loss  on  the 
hedging instrument recognised as other comprehensive income remains 
there until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is  no 
longer  anticipated  to  occur,  the  net  cumulative  gain  or  loss  previously 
recognised  as  other  comprehensive  income  is  transferred  to  the 
Consolidated Income Statement in the period.

Net investment hedges
Where  foreign  currency  borrowings  provide  a  hedge  against  a  net 
investment  in  a  foreign  operation,  and  the  hedge  is  deemed  to  be 
effective,  foreign  exchange  differences  are  taken  directly  to  a  foreign 
currency  translation  reserve.  The  ineffective  portion  of  any  gain  or  loss 
on the hedging instrument is recognised immediately in the Consolidated 
Income  Statement.  Cumulative  gains  and  losses  remain  in  equity  until 
disposal of the net investment in the foreign operation at which point the 
related differences are transferred to the Consolidated Income Statement 
as part of the overall gain or loss on sale.

Fair value hierarchy – Note 25

For financial reporting purposes, fair value measurements are categorised 
into Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the degree to which inputs to the fair value 
measurements are observable and the significance of the inputs to the fair 
value measurement in its entirety, which are described as follows:

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets 
or liabilities

Level 2: valuation techniques for which the lowest level of inputs which 
have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either 
directly or indirectly

Level  3:  valuation  techniques  for  which  the  lowest  level  of  inputs  that 
have  a  significant  effect  on  the  recorded  fair  value  are  not  based  on 
observable market data

Share capital and dividends – Notes 12 and 29

Treasury Shares and own shares
Ordinary  Shares  acquired  by  the  Parent  Company  or  purchased  by  the 
Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of the Parent Company under the terms 
of the Performance Share Plan and the Restricted Share Plan are deducted 
from equity and presented on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 
No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue 
or cancellation of the Parent Company’s Ordinary Shares.

Dividends
Dividends  on  Ordinary  Shares  are  recognised  as  a  liability  in  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  in  the  period  in  which  they  are 
declared by the Parent Company.

108  CRH

Emission rights

Emission  rights  are  accounted  for  such  that  a  liability  is  recognised  only 
in  circumstances  where  emission  rights  have  been  exceeded  from  the 
perspective of the Group as a whole and the differential between actual and 
permitted emissions will have to be remedied through the purchase of the 
required additional rights at fair value; assets and liabilities arising in respect 
of under and over-utilisation of emission credits respectively are accordingly 
netted against one another in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements. To the extent that excess emission rights are disposed of during 
a  financial  period,  the  profit  or  loss  materialising  thereon  is  recognised 
immediately within cost of sales in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities 
are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in 
which  the  entity  operates  (“the  functional  currency”).  The  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements  are  presented  in  euro,  which  is  the  presentation 
currency of the Group and the functional currency of the Parent Company.

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date 
of  the  transaction.  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies are retranslated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet 
date.  All  currency  translation  differences  are  taken  to  the  Consolidated 
Income  Statement  with  the  exception  of  all  monetary  items  that  provide 
an  effective  hedge  for  a  net  investment  in  a  foreign  operation.  These  are 
recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  until  the  disposal  of  the  net 
investment, at which time they are recognised in the Consolidated Income 
Statement.

Results and cash flows of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates with non-
euro functional currencies have been translated into euro at average exchange 
rates  for  the  year,  and  the  related  balance  sheets  have  been  translated  at 
the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Adjustments arising 
on  translation  of  the  results  of  non-euro  subsidiaries,  joint  ventures  and 
associates at average rates, and on restatement of the opening net assets at 
closing rates, are recognised in a separate translation reserve within equity, 
net  of  differences  on  related  currency  borrowings.  All  other  translation 
differences are taken to the Consolidated Income Statement.

Goodwill  and  fair  value  adjustments  arising  on  acquisition  of  a  foreign 
operation  are  regarded  as  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  foreign  operation, 
are  expressed  in  the  functional  currency  of  the  foreign  operation,  are 
recorded in euro at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and are 
subsequently retranslated at the applicable closing rates.

The principal exchange rates used for the translation of results, cash flows 
and balance sheets into euro were as follows:

euro 1 =

US Dollar

Pound Sterling

Polish Zloty

Average

Year-end

2013

2012

2013

2012

1.3281

0.8493

4.1975

1.2848

0.8109

4.1847

1.3791

1.3194

0.8337

0.8161

4.1543

4.0740

Ukrainian Hryvnia

10.8339

10.3933

11.3583

10.6259

Swiss Franc

Canadian Dollar

Argentine Peso

Turkish Lira

Indian Rupee

1.2311

1.3684

7.2892

2.5335

1.2053

1.2842

5.8492

2.3135

1.2276

1.2072

1.4671

1.3137

8.9910

6.4890

2.9605

2.3551

77.9300

68.5973

85.3660

72.5600

Chinese Renminbi

8.1646

8.1052

8.3491

8.2207

Notes on Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Adoption of New Accounting Standards 

As noted in the Accounting Policies on page 102 the Group adopted IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and IAS 19 Employee Benefits (revised) on 1 January 2013. As 
required by IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, the financial impact of the adoption of these standards is outlined below.

Impact on Consolidated Income Statement

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating costs

Group operating profit

Profit on disposals

Profit before finance costs

Finance costs 

Finance income

Other financial expense

Share of equity accounted investments' (loss)/profit 

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Group profit for the financial year

Basic earnings per Ordinary Share

Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share

Impact on Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Group profit for the financial year

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years:
Remeasurement of retirement benefit obligations
Tax on items recognised directly within other comprehensive income

Impact on Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

Year ended 31 December 2012

Adoption of

As reported
€m

IFRS 11
€m

IAS 19R
€m

Restated
€m

 18,659 

(13,562)

 5,097 

(4,252)

 845 

 230 

 1,075 

(277)

 19 

(31)

(112)

 674 

(120)

 554 

76.5c

76.4c

554

(171)
 28 

 1,025 

(269)

(257)

 499 

(575)

 401 

(174)

 134 

(40)

 -   

(40)

 6 

(4)

 -   

 28 

(10)

 10 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   
 -   

(40)

 54 

 11 

 25 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(18)

 -   

(18)

 4 

(14)

 18,084 

(13,161)

 4,923 

(4,118)

 805 

 230 

 1,035 

(271)

 15 

(49)

(84)

 646 

(106)

 540 

(1.9c)

74.6c

(1.9c)

74.5c

(14)

 540 

 25 
(5)

(146)
 23 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 985 

(215)

(246)

 524 

CRH  109

 
1. Adoption of New Accounting Standards | continued

Impact on Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2012

Adoption of

As at 1 January 2012

Adoption of

As reported IFRS 11
€m
€m

IAS 19R
€m

Restated
€m

As reported
€m

IFRS 11
€m

IAS 19R
€m

Restated
€m

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Investments accounted for using the equity 
method

Other financial assets
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax assets
Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Asset held for sale
Current income tax recoverable
Derivative financial instruments
Liquid investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets

 8,448 
 4,446 

 835 
 36 
 86 
 120 
 197 
 14,168 

 2,397 
 2,592 
 143 
 17 
 52 
 31 
 1,768 
 7,000 

(477)
(179)

 587 
(2)
(3)
 -   
(2)
(76)

(64)
(72)
 -   
 -   
 -   
(31)
(21)
(188)

 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
(4)
(4)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 7,971 
 4,267 

 1,422 
 34 
 83 
 120 
 191 
 14,088 

 2,333 
 2,520 
 143 
 17 
 52 
 -   
 1,747 
 6,812 

 8,936 
 4,488 

 1,089 
 36 
 62 
 181 
 290 
 15,082

 2,286 
 2,663 
 -   
 8 
 24 
 29 
 1,295 
 6,305 

(928)
(340)

 984 
(2)
(2)
(18)
(13)
(319)

(107)
(121)
 -   
 -   
 -   
(29)
(49)
(306)

 -   
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
(3)
(3)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 8,008 
 4,148 

 2,073 
 34 
 60 
 163 
 274 
 14,760

 2,179 
 2,542 
 -   
 8 
 24 
 -   
 1,246 
 5,999 

Total assets

 21,168 

(264)

(4)

 20,900 

 21,387 

(625)

(3)

 20,759 

EQUITY
Other components of equity
Retained income

Non-controlling interests
Total equity

LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax liabilities
Other payables
Retirement benefit obligations
Provisions for liabilities 
Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Provisions for liabilities
Total current liabilities

 4,250 
 6,287 
10,537
36
 10,573 

 4,239 
 14 
 1,301 
 296 
 674 
 257 
 6,781 

 2,841 
 181 
 676 
 6 
 110 
 3,814 

 -   
 -   
-
-
 -   

(78)
 -   
(69)
(19)
(1)
(1)
(168)

(66)
(1)
(29)
 -   
 -   
(96)

 -   
 16 
16
-
 16 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
(20)
 -   
(20)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 4,250 
 6,303 
10,553
36
 10,589 

 4,161 
 6,348 
 10,509 
 74 
 10,583 

 4,161 
 14 
 1,232 
 277 
 653 
 256 
 6,593 

 2,775 
 180 
 647 
 6 
 110 
 3,718 

 4,463 
 20 
 1,492 
 204 
 664 
 252 
 7,095 

 2,858 
 201 
 519 
 10 
 121 
 3,709 

 -   
 -   
 -   
(33)
(33)

(163)
(20)
(156)
(20)
(15)
(8)
(382)

(141)
(8)
(61)
 -   
 -   
(210)

 -   
 10 
 10 
 -   
 10 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
(13)
 -   
(13)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 4,161 
 6,358 
 10,519 
 41 
 10,560 

 4,300 
 -   
 1,336 
 184 
 636 
 244 
 6,700 

 2,717 
 193 
 458 
 10 
 121 
 3,499 

Total liabilities

 10,595 

(264)

(20)

 10,311 

 10,804 

(592)

(13)

 10,199 

Total equity and liabilities

 21,168 

(264)

(4)

 20,900 

 21,387 

(625)

(3)

 20,759 

110  CRH

2. Segment Information

CRH is a diversified international building materials group which manufactures and distributes a range of building materials products from the fundamentals of 
heavy materials and elements to construct the frame, through value-added products that complete the building envelope, to distribution channels which service 
construction fit-out and renewal. Based on these key strategic drivers across the value chain, the Group was organised in 2013 into six business segments 
comprising Europe Materials (including activities in China and India), Europe Products (including activities in Australia and Southeast Asia), Europe Distribution, 
Americas Materials, Americas Products and Americas Distribution. No operating segments have been aggregated to form these segments.
Materials businesses are predominantly engaged in the production and sale of a range of primary materials including cement, aggregates, readymixed concrete, 
asphalt/bitumen and agricultural/chemical lime.
Products businesses are predominantly engaged in the production and sale of architectural and structural concrete products, clay products, fabricated and 
tempered glass products, construction accessories and the provision of a wide range of inter-related products and services to the construction sector. 
Distribution  businesses  encompass  builders  merchanting  activities  and  Do-It-Yourself  (DIY)  stores  engaged  in  the  marketing  and  sale  of  supplies  to  the 
construction sector and to the general public.
The principal factors employed in the identification of the six segments reflected in this note include the Group’s organisational structure in 2013, the nature of 
the reporting lines to the Chief Operating Decision-Maker (as defined in IFRS 8 Operating Segments), the structure of internal reporting documentation such as 
management accounts and budgets, and the degree of homogeneity of products, services and geographical areas within each of the segments from which 
revenue is derived.
The Chief Operating Decision-Maker monitors the operating results of segments separately in order to allocate resources between segments and to assess 
performance.  Segment  performance  is  predominantly  evaluated  based  on  operating  profit.  During  the  year  the  Chief  Operating  Decision-Maker  received 
information relating to the results of our joint venture operations on both a proportionate consolidation basis and equity accounting basis (see note 10 for results 
of our joint venture operations). As performance is also evaluated using operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA (as defined)*), supplemental 
information based on EBITDA (as defined)* is also provided below. Given that net finance costs and income tax are managed on a centralised basis, these items 
are  not  allocated  between  operating  segments  for  the  purposes  of  the  information  presented  to  the  Chief  Operating  Decision-Maker  and  are  accordingly 
omitted from the detailed segmental analysis below. There are no asymmetrical allocations to reporting segments which would require disclosure.

A. Operating segments disclosures - Consolidated Income Statement data

Revenue
Europe
Americas

Continuing operations - year ended 31 December

Materials

Products 

Distribution

Total Group

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

 2,266 
 4,721 
 6,987 

 2,383 
 4,886 
 7,269 

 2,376 
 3,068 
 5,444 

 2,477 
 2,806 
 5,283 

 3,936 
 1,664 
 5,600 

 3,956 
 1,576 
 5,532 

 8,578 
 9,453 
 18,031 

 8,816 
 9,268 
 18,084 

Group operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA (as defined)*)

Europe
Americas

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment (i)

Europe
Americas

Group operating profit (EBIT)
Europe
Americas

Profit on disposals (ii) 
Finance costs less income 
Other financial expense 
Share of equity accounted investments' loss (iii) 
(Loss)/profit before tax 

(i)  See note 3 for details of the impairment charge.
(ii)  Profit/(loss) on disposals (note 5) 
Europe
Americas

 278 
 557 
 835 

 239 
 331 
 570 

 39 
 226 
 265 

 7 
 19 
 26 

(iii) Share of equity accounted investments’ (loss)/profit (note 10)
Europe
Americas

(60)
 7 
(53)

 352 
 555 
 907 

 135 
 276 
 411 

 217 
 279 
 496 

 148 
 24 
 172 

(98)
 1 
(97)

 119 
 246 
 365 

 525 
 178 
 703 

(406)
 68 
(338)

 152 
 204 
 356 

 133 
 118 
 251 

 19 
 86 
 105 

 186 
 89 
 275 

 80 
 22 
 102 

 106 
 67 
 173 

 217 
 83 
 300 

 72 
 24 
 96 

 145 
 59 
 204 

 5 
(3)
 2 

 -   
 -   
 -   

 54 
 1 
 55 

(1)
 -   
(1)

(2)
 -   
(2)

 9 
 -   
 9 

 3 
 -   
 3 

 14 
 -   
 14 

 583 
 892 
 1,475 

 844 
 531 
 1,375 

(261)
 361 
 100 

 26 
(249)
(48)
(44)
(215)

 10 
 16 
 26 

(51)
 7 
(44)

 721 
 842 
 1,563 

 340 
 418 
 758 

 381 
 424 
 805 

 230 
(256)
(49)
(84)
 646 

 205 
 25 
 230 

(85)
1
(84)

*   EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment charges, profit on disposals and the Group’s share of equity accounted 

investments’ result after tax.

CRH  111

 
2. Segment Information | continued

B. Operating segments disclosures - Consolidated Balance Sheet data

Total assets

Europe
Americas

Continuing operations - year ended 31 December

Materials

Products 

Distribution

Total Group

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

 3,399 
 5,510 
 8,909 

 3,411 
 5,826 
 9,237 

 1,974 
 2,360 
 4,334 

 2,473 
 2,403 
 4,876 

 2,217 
 853 
 3,070 

 2,247 
 814 
 3,061 

 7,590 
 8,723 
 16,313 

 8,131 
 9,043 
 17,174 

Reconciliation to total assets as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Investments accounted for using the equity method 
Other financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current) 
Asset held for sale 
Income tax assets (current and deferred) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet 

 1,340 
 23 
 80 
 -   
 133 
 2,540 
 20,429 

 1,422 
 34 
 172 
 143 
 208 
 1,747 
 20,900 

Total liabilities

Europe
Americas

 870 
 772 
 1,642 

 1,064 
 890 
 1,954 

 738 
 656 
 1,394 

 716 
 580 
 1,296 

 542 
 255 
 797 

 594 
 227 
 821 

 2,150 
 1,683 
 3,833 

 2,374 
 1,697 
 4,071 

Reconciliation to total liabilities as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (current and non-current)
Derivative financial instruments (current and non-current)
Income tax liabilities (current and deferred)
Total liabilities as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

 5,540 
 53 
 1,317 
 10,743 

 4,808 
 20 
 1,412 
 10,311 

C. Operating segments disclosures - other items

Additions to non-current assets

Europe:

Property, plant and equipment (note 14)
Financial assets (note 16)

Americas: Property, plant and equipment (note 14)

Financial assets (note 16)

D. Entity-wide disclosures

 78 
 68 
 199 
 7 
 352 

 101 
 30 
 212 
 9 
 352 

 67 
 2 
 83 
 -   
 152 

 84 
 16 
 69 
 -   
 169 

 49 
 1 
 21 
 -   
 71 

 70 
 1 
 8 
 -   
 79 

 194 
 71 
 303 
 7 
 575 

 255 
 47 
 289 
 9 
 600 

Section 1: Information about products and services
The Group’s revenue from external customers in respect of its principal products and services is analysed in the disclosures above. Segment revenue includes 
€3,268  million  (2012:  €3,456  million)  in  respect  of  revenue  applicable  to  construction  contracts.  The  bulk  of  our  construction  activities  are  performed  by  our 
Americas Materials reportable segment, are for the most part short-term in nature and are generally completed within the same financial reporting period. 

Revenue derived through the supply of services and intersegment revenue is not material to the Group. The transfer pricing policy implemented by the Group 
between operating segments and across its constituent entities is described in greater detail in note 32. In addition, due to the nature of building materials, which 
exhibit a low value-to-weight ratio, the Group’s revenue streams include a low level of cross-border transactions.

Section 2: Information about geographical areas and customers
CRH has a presence in 35 countries worldwide. The revenues from external customers and non-current assets (as defined in IFRS 8) attributable to the country 
of domicile and all foreign countries of operation are as follows; regions which exceed 10% of total external Group revenue have been highlighted separately 
on the basis of materiality.

Year ended 31 December 
Revenue by destination

As at 31 December 
Non-current assets

Country of domicile - Republic of Ireland
Benelux (mainly the Netherlands) 
Americas (mainly the United States)
Other
Group totals

2013
€m

 278 
 2,324 
 9,468 
 5,961 
 18,031 

2012
€m

 267 
 2,327 
 9,285 
 6,205 
 18,084 

2013
€m

 475 
 1,280 
 6,488 
 4,547 
 12,790 

2012
€m

 497 
 1,464 
 6,822 
 4,877 
 13,660 

There are no material dependencies or concentrations on individual customers which would warrant disclosure under IFRS 8. The individual entities within the 
Group have a large number of customers spread across various activities, end-uses and geographies.

112  CRH

3. Cost Analysis

Cost of sales analysis

Raw materials and goods for resale 
Employment costs (note 6) 
Energy conversion costs 
Repairs and maintenance 
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment (i) 
Change in inventory (note 20) 
Other production expenses (primarily sub-contractor costs and equipment rental) 
Total 

Operating costs analysis  

Selling and distribution costs 
Administrative expenses 
Total 

2013
€m

2012
€m

 7,240 
 1,974 
 644 
 421 
 792 
 37 
 2,206 
 13,314 

 7,282 
 1,946 
 670 
 411 
 559 
(93)
 2,386 
 13,161 

 2,893 
 1,724 
 4,617 

 2,892 
 1,226 
 4,118 

(i)  Depreciation, amortisation and impairment analysis 

Cost of sales

Operating costs

Total

Depreciation and depletion (note 14) 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment (note 14) 
Impairment of intangible assets (note 15) 
Amortisation of intangible assets (note 15) 
Total 

Segmental analysis of 2013 impairment charges

2013
€m

2012
€m

 521 
 271 
 -   
 -   
 792 

 538 
 21 
 -   
 -   
 559 

2013
€m

 150 
 4 
 375 
 54 
 583 

2012
€m

 148 
 4 
 3 
 44 
 199 

2013
€m

 671 
 275 
 375 
 54 
 1,375 

Materials
Europe Americas
€m

€m

Products 
Europe Americas
€m

€m

Distribution
Europe Americas
€m

€m

Annual impairment process (note 15)
Portfolio review (ii)
Included in operating profit
Portfolio review - included in share of equity accounted investments (ii)
Total

 58 
 43 
 101 
 101 
 202 

 -   
 60 
 60 
 -   
 60 

 -   
 414 
 414 
 -   
 414 

 10 
 61 
 71 
 -   
 71 

 4 
 -   
 4 
 4 
 8 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

2012
€m

 686 
 25 
 3 
 44 
 758 

Total
2013
€m

 72 
 578 
 650 
 105 
 755 

Asset  impairment  charges  of  €174  million  arose  in  2012,  €28  million  of  which  were  recorded  within  operating  profit  (Europe  Products  €24  million  and 
Americas Products €4 million).

(ii) Impairments arising from portfolio review

In November 2013, a Group-wide portfolio review was initiated to identify and focus on those businesses within our portfolio which offer the most attractive 
future returns, and to prioritise capital allocation to ensure profitable growth across our network of businesses. This review has resulted in the identification 
of 45 (34 Europe, 11 Americas) business units which will not meet our future returns objectives and are in line for divestment. None of these businesses has 
been classified as held-for-sale or as discontinued operations at 31 December 2013 as they did not meet the relevant criteria under IFRS 5. The decision to 
divest of these business units has resulted in the need to assess each of them separately for impairment.

For  each  of  the  business  units  identified,  a  valuation  was  prepared  based  on  the  estimated  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal.  The  valuations  were  then 
compared to the carrying value of each business and where that valuation fell below the carrying value an impairment charge was taken. 

The largest impairments have arisen in two businesses within the Europe Products segment amounting to €99 million (€58 million goodwill and €41 million 
property, plant and equipment) and €75 million (all goodwill). The recoverable amount of these businesses is calculated based on their fair value less costs 
of disposal (income-based valuation approach) using real pre-tax discount rates of 8.9% and 9.2% respectively. Both businesses serve the residential new-
build sector in mature markets.

In addition, financial asset impairments of €105 million have been recorded (see note 10), primarily in respect of a re-assessment of the carrying value of two 
equity accounted investments in our Europe Materials segment. The recoverable amount of these financial assets is based on their fair value less costs of 
disposal (income-based valuation approach) using real pre-tax discount rates of 9.2% and 9.8% respectively.  

CRH  113

 
3. Cost Analysis | continued

Sensitivity analysis
Fair value less costs of disposal for businesses identified for divestment in the portfolio review was calculated using either an income-based valuation 
approach or a market-based valuation approach. In respect of those businesses that used the latter valuation approach, a 10% decrease in valuation would 
result in an additional impairment of €28 million. 

In respect of the remaining businesses which employed an income-based valuation approach, the following table provides valuation sensitivity analysis.

Income-based valuation approach

4. Operating Profit Disclosures

Operating lease rentals

- hire of plant and machinery
- land and buildings
- other operating leases
Total

Auditor’s remuneration

Additional impairment that would arise as a result of

0.5% reduction in EBITDA 
(as defined)* margin

0.5% increase
in pre-tax discount rate

€m

74

€m

36

2013
€m

2012
€m

 108 
 220 
 47 
 375 

 99 
 187 
 69 
 355 

In accordance with statutory requirements in Ireland, fees for professional services provided by the Group’s independent auditors in respect of each of the 
following categories were:

EY Ireland (statutory auditor)
EY (network firms)
Total

    Audit of the
      Group accounts (i)

   Other assurance 
     services (ii)

   Tax advisory
    services

    Total

2013
€m

 2 
 12 
 14 

2012
€m

 2 
 12 
 14 

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

 -   
 2 
 2 

 -   
 2 
 2 

 -   
 1 
 1 

 -   
 1 
 1 

2013
€m

 2 
 15 
 17 

2012
€m

 2 
 15 
 17 

(i)  Audit of the Group accounts includes Sarbanes-Oxley attestation, parent and subsidiary statutory audit fees, but excludes €1 million (2012: €1 million) 

paid to auditors other than EY.

(ii)  Other assurance services includes attestation and due diligence services that are closely related to the performance of the audit. 

*  EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment charges, profit on disposals and the Group’s share of equity accounted 

investments’ result after tax.

114  CRH

5. Profit on Disposals

Assets/(liabilities) disposed of at net carrying amount: 
- non-current assets (notes 14,15,16) 
- cash and cash equivalents 
- working capital and provisions (note 20) 
- asset held for sale (i) (note 16) 
- interest-bearing loans and borrowings 
- deferred tax (note 27) 
- retirement benefit obligations (note 28) 
Net assets disposed  
Re-classification of currency translation effects on disposal  
Total 
Proceeds from disposals (net of disposal costs)  
Asset exchange (i) (note 31) 
(Loss)/profit on disposals 

Net cash inflow arising on disposal 
Cash proceeds 
Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed 
Total 

Business  
disposals

Disposal of other
non-current assets

Total

2013
€m

2012 (ii)
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

2013
€m

2012
€m

 43 
 -   
 6 
 139 
(17)
 -   
 -   
 171 
 3 
 174 
 26 
 144 
(4)

 26 
 -   
 26 

 432 
 3 
 21 
 -   
(2)
 1 
(4)
 451 
 14 
 465 
 652 
 -   
 187 

 652 
(3)
 649 

 66 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 66 
 -   
 66 
 96 
 -   
 30 

 96 
 -   
 96 

 90 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 90 
 -   
 90 
 133 
 -   
 43 

 133 
 -   
 133 

 109 
 -   
 6 
 139 
(17)
 -   
 -   
 237 
 3 
 240 
 122 
 144 
 26 

 122 
 -   
 122 

 522 
 3 
 21 
 -   
(2)
 1 
(4)
 541 
 14 
 555 
 785 
 -   
 230 

 785 
(3)
 782 

(i)  On 25 February 2013, the Group transferred its 26% stake in Corporacion Uniland to Cementos Portland Valderrivas in exchange for a 99% stake in 

Cementos Lemona, an integrated cement, readymixed concrete and aggregates business.

(ii)  This relates principally to the disposal of our 49% investment in our Portuguese joint venture, Secil (which was part of the Europe Materials segment).

6. Employment

The average number of employees is as follows:

Year ended 31 December 2013

Europe
Americas
Total

Year ended 31 December 2012

Europe
Americas
Total

Employment costs charged in the Consolidated Income Statement are analysed as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social welfare costs
Other employment-related costs
Share-based payment expense (note 8)
Total retirement benefits expense (note 28)
Total

Total charge analysed between:
Cost of sales
Operating costs
Finance costs (net) - applicable to retirement benefit obligations (note 9)
Total

Materials Products  Distribution

 9,440 
 18,216 
 27,656 

 15,613 
 17,276 
 32,889 

 11,388 
 3,709 
 15,097 

Total  
Group

 36,441 
 39,201 
 75,642 

 9,473 
 18,106 
 27,579 

 16,129 
 15,546 
 31,675 

 11,174 
 3,532 
 14,706 

 36,776 
 37,184 
 73,960 

2013
€m

 2,915 
 360 
 464 
 15 
 201 
 3,955 

 1,974 
 1,959 
 22 
 3,955 

2012
€m

 2,876 
 359 
 432 
 14 
 181 
 3,862 

 1,946 
 1,891 
 25 
 3,862 

CRH  115

 
7. Directors’ Emoluments and Interests

Directors’ emoluments (which are included in administrative expenses in note 3) and interests are given in the Directors’ Remuneration Report pages 59 to 90 
of this Annual Report.

8. Share-based Payment Expense

Share option expense
Performance Share Plan and Restricted Share Plan expense
Total

Share-based payment expense is reflected in operating costs in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Share option schemes

2013
€m

 1 
 14 
 15 

2012
€m

 -   
14
14

In May 2010, shareholders approved the adoption of new share option and savings-related share option schemes, which replaced schemes approved by 
shareholders in May 2000. The general terms and conditions applicable to the new share option and savings-related share option schemes were set out in a 
circular issued to shareholders on 31 March 2010, a copy of which is available on www.crh.com. 

Due to the immateriality of the savings-related schemes’ expense and the level of savings-related share options outstanding, detailed financial disclosures have 
not been provided in relation to these schemes.

Details of options granted under the share option schemes (excluding savings-related share option schemes) 

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted (a)
Exercised (b)
Lapsed

Outstanding at end of year
Exercisable at end of year

Weighted average  
exercise price

Number of 
options
2013

Weighted average  
exercise price

Number of 
options
2012

€18.84
€16.19
€13.21
€18.53

 23,295,955 
 3,853,400 
(1,245,029)
(4,105,439)

€18.75
€17.94

 21,798,887 
 2,114,772 

€19.13
€15.19
€11.98
€18.68

 23,591,756 
 3,889,100 
(1,010,780)
(3,174,121)

€18.84
€16.24

 23,295,955 
 3,364,448 

(a)  Granted in April 2013 (2012: April), the level of vesting of these options will be determined by reference to certain performance targets (see page 69). If 
the performance criteria have been met, these options, or portion thereof as appropriate, may be exercised after the expiration of three years from their 
date of grant. All options granted have a life of ten years.

(b)  The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of these options was €17.28 (2012: €14.95).

Weighted average remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at 31 December (years)

Euro-denominated options outstanding at the end of the year (number)
Range of exercise prices (€)

Sterling-denominated options outstanding at the end of the year (number)
Range of exercise prices (Stg£)

2013

5.54

2012

5.69

 21,683,559 
 15.07-29.86 

 23,182,257 
 11.86-29.86 

 115,328 
 10.04-20.23 

 113,698 
 8.17-20.23 

The CRH share price at 31 December 2013 was €18.30 (2012: €15.30). The following analysis shows the number of outstanding share options with 
exercise prices lower/higher than the year-end share price:

Number of options with exercise prices lower than year-end price:
Exercisable 
Not exercisable 

Number of options with exercise prices higher than year-end price:
Exercisable 
Not exercisable 

Total options outstanding

116  CRH

 506,581 
 13,788,399 

 1,677,365 

 5,382,296 

 14,294,980 

 7,059,661 

 1,608,191 
 5,895,716 
 7,503,907 

 1,687,083 
 14,549,211 
 16,236,294 

 21,798,887 

 23,295,955 

8. Share-based Payment Expense | continued

Fair values

The weighted average fair value assigned to the 3-year euro-denominated options granted in 2013 under the 2010 share option scheme was €3.61 (2012: 
€3.43). The fair values of these options were determined using the following assumptions:

Weighted average exercise price

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend payments over the expected life 

Expected volatility

Expected life in years

2013

2012

€16.19

0.36%

€3.25

33.7%

5

€15.19

0.80%

€3.25

33.8%

5

The expected volatility was determined using a historical sample of 61 month-end CRH share prices. Share options are granted at market value at the date of 
grant. The expected lives of the options are based on historical data and are therefore not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may materialise.

Other than the assumptions listed above, no other features of option grants were factored into the determination of fair value. No relevant modifications were 
effected to either the 2010 share option scheme or the previously approved 2000 share option scheme during the course of 2013.

Performance Share Plan

The Group operates a Performance Share Plan which was approved by shareholders in May 2006.

The expense of €13 million (2012: €14 million) reported in the Consolidated Income Statement has been arrived at through applying a Monte Carlo simulation 
technique to model the combination of market-based and non-market-based performance conditions in the Plan.

Due  to  the  immateriality  of  the  Restricted  Share  Plan  expense  and  the  level  of  awards  outstanding  in  this  plan  at  31  December  2013,  detailed  financial 
disclosures have not been provided in relation to this share-based payment arrangement.

Details of awards granted under the Performance Share Plan

Granted in 2010

Granted in 2011

Granted in 2012

Granted in 2013

Share price at 
date
of award

Period to 
earliest 
release
date

Number of Shares

Initial
award

Cumulative
lapses
to date

Net
outstanding

Fair
 value

€18.51

3 years

 1,459,750 

(1,459,750)

 -   

€10.01

€16.52

3 years

 1,684,250 

(172,000)

 1,512,250 

€9.72

€15.63

3 years

 2,079,000 

(116,500)

 1,962,500 

€7.77

€16.69

3 years

 1,195,500 

(71,750)

 1,123,750 

€8.54

The fair value of the shares awarded was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique taking account of peer group total shareholder return, volatilities 
and correlations, together with the following assumptions:

The CRH share price at 31 December 2013 was €18.30 (2012: €15.30). The following analysis shows the number of outstanding share options with 

exercise prices lower/higher than the year-end share price:

Number of options with exercise prices lower than year-end price:

Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected volatility (%)

The expected volatility was determined using a historical sample of 37 month-end CRH share prices.

Number of options with exercise prices higher than year-end price:

Exercisable 

Not exercisable 

Exercisable 

Not exercisable 

Total options outstanding

 506,581 

 1,677,365 

 13,788,399 

 5,382,296 

 14,294,980 

 7,059,661 

 1,608,191 

 1,687,083 

 5,895,716 

 14,549,211 

 7,503,907 

 16,236,294 

 21,798,887 

 23,295,955 

2013

2012

0.10
31.3

0.33
35.4

CRH  117

 
9. Finance Costs and Finance Income

Finance costs
Interest payable on borrowings
Net income on interest rate and currency swaps
Mark-to-market of derivatives and related fixed rate debt:
- interest rate swaps (i)

- currency swaps and forward contracts

- fixed rate debt (i)
Net loss on interest rate swaps not designated as hedges
Net finance cost on gross debt including related derivatives

Finance income
Interest receivable on loans to joint ventures and associates
Interest receivable on cash and cash equivalents and other
Finance income 

Finance costs less income

Other financial expense
Unwinding of discount element of provisions for liabilities (note 26)
Unwinding of discount applicable to deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (note 19)
Pension-related finance cost (net) (note 28)

Total

2013
€m

2012
€m

 323 
(55)

 68 

 1 

(79)
 4 
 262 

(3)
(10)
(13)

 249 

 15 
 11 
 22 

 48 

 327 
(47)

 22 

 3 

(34)
 -   
 271 

(2)
(13)
(15)

 256 

 15 
 9 
 25 

 49 

(i)  The Group uses interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate debt to floating rate. Fixed rate debt, which has been converted to floating rate through the use of 
interest rate swaps, is stated in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at adjusted value to reflect movements in underlying fixed rates. The movement on this 
adjustment, together with the offsetting movement in the fair value of the related interest rate swaps, is included in finance costs in each reporting period.

10. Share of Equity Accounted Investments’ (Loss)/Profit

The Group’s share of joint ventures’ and associates’ results after tax is equity accounted and is presented as a single-line item in the Consolidated Income 
Statement; it is analysed as follows between the principal Consolidated Income Statement captions:

Group share of:

Revenue

EBITDA (as defined)*

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment (i)

Operating (loss)/profit

Finance costs (net)

(Loss)/profit before tax

Income tax expense

(Loss)/profit after tax

Joint Ventures
2012
2013
€m
€m

Associates

2013
€m

2012 (ii)
€m

Total

2013
€m

2012
€m

 469 

 575 

 961 

 978 

 1,430 

 1,553 

 60 

(27)

(54)

(21)

(2)

(23)

(5)

(28)

 77 

(37)

 -   

 40 

(2)

 38 

(10)

 28 

 109 

(39)

(51)

 19 

(22)

(3)

(13)

(16)

 118 

(50)

(146)

(78)

(26)

(104)

(8)

(112)

 169 

(66)

(105)

(2)

(24)

(26)

(18)

(44)

 195 

(87)

(146)

(38)

(28)

(66)

(18)

(84)

An analysis of the result after tax by operating segment is presented in note 2. The aggregated balance sheet data (analysed between current and non-current 
assets and liabilities) in respect of the Group’s investment in joint ventures and associates is presented in note 16.

(i)  See note 3 for details of the impairment charge.

(ii)  During 2012, the Group recognised an impairment charge of €146 million in respect of our 26% investment in our associate Corporacion Uniland (part 
of  the  Europe  Materials  segment).  During  2013,  the  Group  transferred  its  26%  stake  in  Corporacion  Uniland  to  Cementos  Portland  Valderrivas  in 
exchange for a 99% stake in Cementos Lemona (see note 5 for further details).

*    EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment charges and profit on disposals.

118  CRH

11. Income Tax Expense

Recognised within the Consolidated Income Statement

(a) Current tax
Republic of Ireland
Overseas 
Total current tax expense

(b) Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences:
Retirement benefit obligations
Share-based payment expense
Derivative financial instruments
Other items 
Total deferred tax expense

Income tax expense reported in the Consolidated Income Statement

Recognised within equity

(a) Within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income:
Deferred tax - retirement benefit obligations
Income tax recognised directly within equity

Reconciliation of applicable tax rate to effective tax rate

(Loss)/profit before tax (€m)
Tax charge expressed as a percentage of (loss)/profit before tax (effective tax rate):
- current tax expense only
- total income tax expense (current and deferred)

The following table reconciles the applicable Republic of Ireland statutory tax rate to the 
effective tax rate (current and deferred) of the Group:

Irish corporation tax rate
Higher tax rates on overseas earnings
Other items (primarily comprising items not chargeable to tax/expenses not deductible for tax):
- arising from 2013 impairment
- other items
Total effective tax rate

Other disclosures

2013
€m

(1)
 77 
 76 

 16 
(1)
 4 
(15)
 4 

 80 

(43)
(43)

2012
€m

(4)
 103 
 99 

 20 
 1 
(9)
(5)
 7 

 106 

 23 
 23 

(215)

646

(35.3%)
(37.2%)

15.3%
16.4%

% of (loss)/profit  
 before tax

 12.5 
 17.8 

(70.2)
 2.7 
(37.2)

 12.5 
 3.1 

 -   
 0.8 
 16.4 

Effective tax rate
The 2013 income statement includes an impairment charge of €755 million with an associated tax credit of €25 million. The 2013 effective tax rate excluding 
the aforementioned impairment charge and related tax credit is 19.4%.

Changes in tax rates
The total tax charge in future periods will be affected by any changes to the tax rates in force in the countries in which the Group operates. 

Excess of capital allowances over depreciation
The current tax charge will also be impacted by changes in the excess of tax depreciation (capital allowances) over accounting depreciation. Based on current 
capital investment plans, the Group expects to continue to be in a position to claim capital allowances in excess of depreciation in future years.

Investments in subsidiaries
Given that participation exemptions and tax credits would be available in the context of the Group’s investments in subsidiaries in the majority of the jurisdictions 
in which the Group operates, the aggregate amount of temporary differences in respect of which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised would be 
immaterial.

Proposed dividends
There are no income tax consequences for the Company in respect of dividends proposed prior to issuance of the Consolidated Financial Statements and for 
which a liability has not been recognised.

CRH  119

 
12. Dividends

The dividends paid and proposed in respect of each class of share capital are as follows:

Dividends to shareholders
Preference
5% Cumulative Preference Shares €3,175 (2012: €3,175)
7% 'A' Cumulative Preference Shares €77,521 (2012: €77,521)
Equity 
Final - paid 44.00c per Ordinary Share (2012: 44.00c)
Interim - paid 18.50c per Ordinary Share (2012: 18.50c)

Total

Dividends proposed (memorandum disclosure)
Equity

Final 2013 - proposed 44.00c per Ordinary Share (2012: 44.00c)

Reconciliation to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Dividends to shareholders
Less: issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (note 29)

Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests

Total dividends paid

13. Earnings per Ordinary Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per Ordinary Share is set out below:

Numerator computations
Group (loss)/profit for the financial year
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests
(Loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
Preference dividends
(Loss)/profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company - numerator for basic/diluted earnings per Ordinary Share
Depreciation charge 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Impairment of financial assets
Numerator for "cash" earnings per Ordinary Share (i)

Denominator computations
Denominator for basic earnings per Ordinary Share
Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares (millions) outstanding for the year (ii)
Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary Shares (employee share options) (millions) (ii) and (iii)
Denominator for diluted earnings per Ordinary Share

Basic (loss)/earnings per Ordinary Share

Diluted (loss)/earnings per Ordinary Share

"Cash" earnings per Ordinary Share (i)

2013

€m

2012

€m

 -   
 -   

 320 
 135 

 455 

 -   
 -   

 317 
 133 

 450 

 323 

 320 

 455 
(88)

 367 
 1 

 368 

 450 
(88)

 362 
 4 

 366 

2013
€m

2012
€m

(295)
(1)
(296)
 -   
(296)
 671 
 54 
 650 
 105 
 1,184 

 729.2 
 -   
 729.2 

(40.6c)

(40.6c)

162.4c

 540 
(2)
 538 
 -   
 538 
 686 
 44 
 28 
 146 
 1,442 

 721.9 
 0.3 
 722.2 

74.6c

74.5c

199.8c

(i)  This measure is presented here for information as management believes it is a useful indicator of the Group’s ability to generate cash from operations. 

This is not a recognised measure under generally accepted accounting principles. 

(ii)  The weighted average number of Ordinary Shares included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per Ordinary Share has been adjusted to 
exclude shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust and Ordinary Shares repurchased and held by the Company (CRH plc) as Treasury Shares given that 
these shares do not rank for dividend. The number of Ordinary Shares so held at the balance sheet date is detailed in note 29.

(iii) Contingently issuable Ordinary Shares (totalling 24,282,615 at 31 December 2013 and 24,856,007 at 31 December 2012) are excluded from the computation 

of diluted earnings per Ordinary Share where the conditions governing exercisability have not been satisfied as at the end of the reporting period. 

120  CRH

 
14. Property, Plant and Equipment

At 31 December 2013
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated depreciation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

At 1 January 2013, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Reclassifications 
Additions at cost 
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Disposals at net carrying amount
Depreciation charge for year
Impairment charge for year (ii)
At 31 December 2013, net carrying amount

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 31 December 2012
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated depreciation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

At 1 January 2012, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Reclassifications 
Additions at cost 
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Disposals at net carrying amount
Depreciation charge for year
Impairment charge for year (ii)
At 31 December 2012, net carrying amount

At 1 January 2012
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated depreciation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

Land and  
buildings (i)
€m

Plant and  
machinery
€m

Assets in 
course of 
construction
€m

 5,912 
(1,816)
 4,096 

 4,313 
(129)
 7 
 46 
 132 
(30)
(132)
(111)
 4,096 

 5,838 
(1,525)
 4,313 

 4,269 
(28)
 30 
 58 
 156 
(38)
(126)
(8)
 4,313 

 5,750 
(1,481)
 4,269 

 8,847 
(5,633)
 3,214 

 3,371 
(114)
 144 
 350 
 210 
(44)
(539)
(164)
 3,214 

 8,694 
(5,323)
 3,371 

 3,181 
(21)
 352 
 378 
 96 
(38)
(560)
(17)
 3,371 

 8,225 
(5,044)
 3,181 

 229 
 -   
 229 

 287 
(8)
(151)
 101 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 229 

 287 
 -   
 287 

 558 
 2 
(382)
 108 
 1 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 287 

 558 
 -   
 558 

Total
€m

 14,988 
(7,449)
 7,539 

 7,971 
(251)
 -   
 497 
 342 
(74)
(671)
(275)
 7,539 

 14,819 
(6,848)
 7,971 

 8,008 
(47)
 -   
 544 
 253 
(76)
(686)
(25)
 7,971 

 14,533 
(6,525)
 8,008 

(i)  The carrying value of mineral-bearing land included in the land and buildings category above amounted to €1,824 million at the balance sheet date (2012: 

€1,835 million).

(ii)  See note 3 for details of the impairment charge.

Future purchase commitments for property, plant and equipment

Contracted for but not provided in the financial statements

Authorised by the Directors but not contracted for

2013
€m

 155 

 91 

2012
€m

 176 

 82 

CRH  121

 
 
15. Intangible Assets

At 31 December 2013
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated amortisation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

At 1 January 2013, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Disposals
Amortisation charge for year
Impairment charge for year
At 31 December 2013, net carrying amount

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 31 December 2012
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated amortisation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

At 1 January 2012, net carrying amount
Translation adjustment
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Reclassifications
Disposals
Amortisation charge for year
Impairment charge for year 
At 31 December 2012, net carrying amount

At 1 January 2012
Cost/deemed cost
Accumulated amortisation (and impairment charges)
Net carrying amount

Other intangible assets

Goodwill
€m

Marketing-
related
€m

Customer-
related (i)
€m

Contract-
based
€m

 4,158 
(424)
 3,734 

 4,067 
(117)
 169 
(12)
 -   
(373)
 3,734 

 4,122 
(55)
 4,067 

 3,967 
(32)
 162 
(13)
(15)
 -   
(2)
 4,067 

 4,020 
(53)
 3,967 

 48 
(36)
 12 

 17 
(1)
 1 
 -   
(5)
 -   
 12 

 51 
(34)
 17 

 14 
 -   
 8 
 -   
 -   
(5)
 -   
 17 

 44 
(30)
 14 

 420 
(269)
 151 

 177 
(2)
 20 
 -   
(42)
(2)
 151 

 413 
(236)
 177 

 160 
 -   
 56 
 -   
 -   
(38)
(1)
 177 

 360 
(200)
 160 

Total
€m

 4,657 
(746)
 3,911 

 4,267 
(121)
 208 
(14)
(54)
(375)
 3,911 

 4,603 
(336)
 4,267 

 4,148 
(33)
 227 
(13)
(15)
(44)
(3)
 4,267 

 31 
(17)
 14 

 6 
(1)
 18 
(2)
(7)
 -   
 14 

 17 
(11)
 6 

 7 
(1)
 1 
 -   
 -   
(1)
 -   
 6 

 18 
(11)
 7 

 4,442 
(294)
 4,148 

(i)  The customer-related intangible assets relate predominantly to non-contractual customer relationships.

Goodwill
The net book value of goodwill capitalised under previous GAAP (Irish GAAP) as at the transition date to IFRS (1 January 2004) has been treated as deemed 
cost. Goodwill arising on acquisition since that date is capitalised at cost. 

Cash-generating units
Goodwill acquired through business combination activity has been allocated to cash-generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from synergies in that 
combination. The cash-generating units represent the lowest level within the Group at which the associated goodwill is monitored for internal management 
purposes, and are not larger than the operating segments determined in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. A total of 19 (2012: 21) cash-generating 
units have been identified and these are analysed between the six business segments in the Group below. The decrease in the number of CGUs in 2013 relates 
to organisational changes in our Americas Products and Europe Materials segments. All businesses within the various cash-generating units exhibit similar and/
or consistent profit margin and asset intensity characteristics. Assets, liabilities, deferred tax and goodwill have been assigned to the CGUs on a reasonable 
and consistent basis. 

Significant under-performance in any of CRH’s major cash-generating units may give rise to a material write-down of goodwill which would have a substantial 
impact on the Group’s income and equity.

Europe Materials
Europe Products*
Europe Distribution
Americas Materials
Americas Products
Americas Distribution
Total cash-generating units

Cash-generating units

Goodwill (€m)

2013

2012

2013

2012

 7 
 1 
 1 
 7 
 2 
 1 
 19 

 8 
 1 
 1 
 7 
 3 
 1 
 21 

 579 
 431 
 641 
 1,151 
 618 
 314 
 3,734 

 579 
 679 
 629 
 1,231 
 629 
 320 
 4,067 

*  Included  in  the  goodwill  number  of  €431  million  in  respect  of  Europe  Products  at  31  December  2013  is  an  amount  of  €62  million  in  respect  of  businesses  identified  for 

divestment as part of the portfolio review, which have been tested separately (see note 3).

122  CRH

15. Intangible Assets | continued

Impairment testing methodology and results
Goodwill  is  subject  to  impairment  testing  on  an  annual  basis.  The  recoverable  amount  of  each  of  the  19  CGUs  is  determined  based  on  a  value-in-use 
computation. The cash flow forecasts are primarily based on a five-year strategic plan document formally approved by senior management and the Board of 
Directors and specifically exclude the impact of future development activity. These cash flows are projected forward for an additional five years to determine 
the basis for an annuity-based terminal value, calculated on the same basis as the Group’s acquisition modelling methodology. As in prior years, the terminal 
value is based on a 20-year annuity. The projected cash flows assume zero growth in real cash flows beyond the initial evaluation period. The value-in-use 
represents the present value of the future cash flows, including the terminal value, discounted at a rate appropriate to each CGU. The real pre-tax discount rates 
used range from 7.8% to 11.7% (2012: 7.6% to 12.6%); these rates are in line with the Group’s estimated weighted average cost of capital, arrived at using the 
Capital Asset Pricing Model.

The 2013 annual goodwill impairment testing process has resulted in an impairment of €58 million being recorded in respect of our Benelux CGU in Europe 
Materials. The CGU, which has formed part of our sensitivity disclosures for the last number of years, has experienced a difficult trading environment in 2013, 
resulting in a slower recovery now being forecast for the CGU than previously anticipated. These updated assumptions underlying the value-in-use model 
projections result in a present value (using a real pre-tax discount rate of 9.4%) of €241 million and a related goodwill impairment being recorded of €58 million. 
A sensitivity analysis in respect of this CGU is presented below.

Benelux CGU

Additional impairment that would arise as a result of

0.5% reduction in EBITDA 
(as defined)* margin
 €m 

0.5% increase in pre-tax 
discount rate
 €m 

 14 

11

Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The cash flows have been arrived at taking account of the Group’s strong financial position, its established history of earnings and cash flow generation and 
the nature of the building materials industry, where product obsolescence is very low. However, expected future cash flows are inherently uncertain and are 
therefore liable to material change over time. The key assumptions employed in arriving at the estimates of future cash flows factored into impairment testing 
are subjective and include projected EBITDA (as defined)* margins, net cash flows, discount rates used and the duration of the discounted cash flow model.

Significant goodwill amounts
The goodwill allocated to the Europe Products, Europe Distribution and the Oldcastle Building Products (Americas Products segment) CGUs accounts for 
between 10% and 20% of the total carrying amount of €3,734 million. The goodwill allocated to each of the remaining CGUs is less than 10% of the total 
carrying value in all other cases. The additional disclosures required for the three CGUs with significant goodwill are as follows:

Europe Products

Europe Distribution

Oldcastle  
Building Products

2013

2012

2013

2012

2013

2012

Goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit at balance sheet date

€369m**

€679m

€641m

€629m

€615m

€625m

Discount rate applied to the cash flow projections (real pre-tax)

9.9%

Average EBITDA (as defined)* margin over the initial 5-year period

11.3%

9.1%

9.4%

9.4%

6.4%

9.7%

6.9%

11.7%

10.6%

11.3%

10.1%

Value-in-use (present value of future cash flows)

€1,168m €1,847m

€2,201m

€2,242m

€2,380m

€2,217m

Excess of value-in-use over carrying amount

€284m

€140m

€431m

€684m

€579m

€389m

** Excludes €62 million of goodwill in respect of businesses identified for divestment as part of the portfolio review.

The key assumptions and methodology used in respect of these three CGUs are consistent with those described above. The values applied to each of the key 
estimates  and  assumptions  are  specific  to  the  individual  CGUs  and  were  derived  from  a  combination  of  internal  and  external  factors  based  on  historical 
experience and took into account the cash flows specifically associated with these businesses. The cash flows and 20-year annuity-based terminal value were 
projected in line with the methodology disclosed above.

Europe Products, Europe Distribution and Oldcastle Building Products are not included in the CGUs referred to in the “Sensitivity analysis” section below. Given 
the magnitude of the excess of value-in-use over carrying amount, and our belief that the key assumptions are reasonable, management believe that it is not 
reasonably possible that there would be a change in the key assumptions such that the carrying amount would exceed the value-in-use. Consequently no 
further disclosures relating to sensitivity of the value-in-use computations for the Europe Products, Europe Distribution or Oldcastle Building Products CGUs 
are considered to be warranted. 

Sensitivity analysis
Sensitivity analysis has been performed and results in additional disclosures in respect of 1 of the other 19 CGUs. The key assumptions, methodology used 
and values applied to each of the key assumptions for this cash-generating unit are in line with those outlined above. This CGU had goodwill of €224 million at 
the date of testing. The table below identifies the amounts by which each of the following assumptions may either decline or increase to arrive at a zero excess 
of the present value of future cash flows over the book value of net assets in an Americas CGU.

Reduction in EBITDA (as defined)* margin
Reduction in profit before tax
Reduction in net cash flow
Increase in pre-tax discount rate

1.0 percentage points
10.1%
9.6%
0.9 percentage points

The average EBITDA (as defined)* margin for the CGU over the initial 5-year period was 10.8%. The value-in-use (being the present value of the future net cash 
flows) was €595 million and the carrying amount was €535 million, resulting in an excess of value-in-use over carrying amount of €60 million.

*  EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation, asset impairment charges, profit on disposals and the Group’s share of equity accounted 

investments’ result after tax.

CRH  123

 
16. Financial Assets

At 1 January 2013
Translation adjustment
Investments and advances 
Disposals and repayments
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Retained loss
At 31 December 2013

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 1 January 2012
Translation adjustment
Investments and advances 
Disposals and repayments
Reclassifications
Transfer to asset held for sale
Retained loss
At 31 December 2012

Investments accounted for 
using the equity method  
(i.e. joint ventures and associates)

Share of net 
assets
€m

Loans
€m

 1,291 
(72)
 64 
 -   
 2 
(74)
 1,211 

 1,923 
(24)
 52 
(410)
 13 
(143)
(120)
 1,291 

 131 
(5)
 10 
(7)
 -   
 -   
 129 

 150 
(2)
 4 
(21)
 -   
 -   
 -   
 131 

Total
€m

 1,422 
(77)
 74 
(7)
 2 
(74)
 1,340 

 2,073 
(26)
 56 
(431)
 13 
(143)
(120)
 1,422 

Asset held 
for sale
€m

Other (i)
€m

 143 
(1)
 -   
(139)
 -   
(3)
 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 143 
 -   
 143 

 34 
(1)
 4 
(14)
 -   
 -   
 23 

 34 
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 34 

(i) Other financial assets primarily comprise trade investments carried at historical cost. 

Summarised financial information for the Group’s investment in joint ventures and associates which are accounted for using the equity method is as follows:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets

 Joint Ventures

Associates

Total

2013
€m

 600 
 176 
(174)
(106)
 496 

2012
€m

 663 
 188 
(168)
(96)
 587 

2013
€m

 862 
 557 
(230)
(474)
 715 

2012
€m

 837 
 641 
(194)
(580)
 704 

2013
€m

 1,462 
 733 
(404)
(580)
 1,211 

2012
€m

 1,500 
 829 
(362)
(676)
 1,291 

A listing of the principal equity accounted investments is contained on page 160.

The Group holds a 21.13% stake (2012: 21.13%) in Samse S.A., a publicly-listed distributor in France which is accounted for as an associate investment above. 
The fair value of this investment was €58 million (2012: €39 million) (Level 1 input in the fair value hierarchy) as at the balance sheet date. Fair value has been 
calculated based on the number of shares held multiplied by the closing share price at 31 December 2013.

For details of the impairments recorded as a result of the portfolio review process see note 3.

124  CRH

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
17. Inventories

Raw materials 
Work-in-progress (i)
Finished goods
Total inventories at the lower of cost and net realisable value

2013
€m

 606 
 86 
 1,562 
 2,254 

2012
€m

 628 
 87 
 1,618 
 2,333 

(i)  Work-in-progress includes €2 million (2012: €1 million) in respect of the cumulative costs incurred, net of amounts transferred to cost of sales under 

percentage-of-completion accounting, for construction contracts in progress at the balance sheet date. 

An analysis of the Group’s cost of sales expense is provided in note 3 to the financial statements.

Write-downs of inventories recognised as an expense within cost of sales amounted to €19 million (2012: €12 million).

18. Trade and Other Receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Amounts receivable in respect of construction contracts (i)
Total trade receivables, gross
Provision for impairment
Total trade receivables, net
Amounts receivable from equity accounted investments
Prepayments and other receivables
Total

Non-current 
Other receivables 

2013
€m

 1,725 
 422 
 2,147 
(118)
 2,029 
 4 
 483 
 2,516 

2012
€m

 1,706 
 469 
 2,175 
(123)
 2,052 
 3 
 465 
 2,520 

 93 

 83 

The carrying amounts of current and non-current trade and other receivables approximate their fair value largely due to the short-term maturities and nature of 
these instruments.

(i)  Includes unbilled revenue and retentions held by customers in respect of construction contracts at the balance sheet date amounting to €121 million and 

€63 million respectively (2012: €137 million and €65 million respectively).

Provision for impairment
The movements in the provision for impairment of receivables during the financial year were as follows:

At 1 January
Translation adjustment
Provided during year
Written-off during year
Recovered during year
At 31 December

 123 
(2)
 36 
(33)
(6)
 118 

 136 
 -   
 40 
(50)
(3)
 123 

Information in relation to the Group’s credit risk management is provided in note 22 to the financial statements.

Aged analysis
The aged analysis of gross trade receivables and amounts receivable in respect of construction contracts at the balance sheet date was as follows:

Neither past due nor impaired
Past due but not impaired:
- less than 60 days
- 60 days or greater but less than 120 days
- 120 days or greater
Past due and impaired (partial or full provision)
Total

 1,554 

 1,637 

 290 
 126 
 53 
 124 
 2,147 

 218 
 113 
 54 
 153 
 2,175 

Trade receivables and amounts receivable in respect of construction contracts are in general receivable within 90 days of the balance sheet date. 

CRH  125

 
19. Trade and Other Payables

Current
Trade payables
Construction contract-related payables (i)
Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (ii)
Accruals and other payables
Amounts payable to equity accounted investments
Total

Non-current
Other payables
Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (ii)
Total

2013
€m

 1,495 
 103 
 24 
 1,093 
 39 
 2,754 

 105 
 184 
 289 

2012
€m

 1,469 
 97 
 105 
 1,067 
 37 
 2,775 

 85 
 192 
 277 

(i) Construction contract-related payables include billings in excess of revenue, together with advances received from customers in respect of work to be  
    performed under construction contracts and foreseeable losses thereon.

Other than deferred and contingent consideration, the carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximate their fair value largely due to the short-term 
maturities and nature of these instruments. 

(ii) Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration
    The fair value of total contingent consideration is €120 million (2012: €141 million), (Level 3 input in the fair value hierarchy) and deferred consideration is  
    €88 million (2012: €156 million). On an undiscounted basis, the corresponding basis for which the Group may be liable for contingent consideration range  
     from €nil million to a maximum of €149 million. The movement in deferred and contingent consideration during the financial year was as follows:

At 1 January
Translation adjustment
Arising on acquisitions and investments during the year
Changes in estimate
Paid during the year
Discount unwinding
At 31 December

20. Movement in Working Capital and Provisions for Liabilities

 297 
(9)
 17 
(3)
(105)
 11 
 208 

At 1 January 2013
Translation adjustment
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Disposals
Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration:
- arising on acquisitions during year (note 31)
- paid during year
Interest accruals and discount unwinding
(Decrease)/increase in working capital and provisions for liabilities
At 31 December 2013

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 1 January 2012
Translation adjustment
Arising on acquisition (note 31)
Disposals
Deferred and contingent acquisition consideration:
- arising on acquisitions during year (note 31)
- paid during year
Interest accruals and discount unwinding
Increase/(decrease) in working capital and provisions for liabilities
At 31 December 2012

126  CRH

Trade 
and other 
receivables
€m

Trade 
and other 
payables
€m

Provisions  
for  
liabilities
€m

Inventories
€m

 2,333 
(74)
 41 
(9)

 -   
 -   
 -   
(37)
 2,254 

 2,179 
(15)
 98 
(22)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 93 
 2,333 

 2,603 
(80)
 53 
(4)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 37 
 2,609 

 2,602 
(5)
 103 
(23)

 -   
 -   
 -   
(74)
 2,603 

(3,052)
 91 
(80)
 7 

(17)
 105 
(14)
(83)
(3,043)

(2,901)
 8 
(57)
 23 

(151)
 30 
(31)
 27 
(3,052)

(366)
 9 
(14)
 -   

 -   
 -   
(15)
 6 
(380)

(365)
 2 
(1)
 1 

 -   
 -   
(15)
 12 
(366)

 151 
(3)
 170 
 -   
(30)
 9 
 297 

Total
€m

 1,518 
(54)
 -   
(6)

(17)
 105 
(29)
(77)
 1,440 

 1,515 
(10)
 143 
(21)

(151)
 30 
(46)
 58 
 1,518 

   
21. Analysis of Net Debt

Components of net debt
Net debt is a non-GAAP measure which we provide to investors as we believe they find it useful. Net debt comprises cash and cash equivalents, derivative 
financial instrument assets and liabilities and interest-bearing loans and borrowings and enables investors to see the economic effects of these in total (see note 
22 for details of the capital and risk management policies employed by the Group). Net debt is commonly used in computations such as net debt as a % of 
total equity and net debt as a % of market capitalisation.

Cash and cash equivalents (note 23)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (note 24)
Derivative financial instruments (net) (note 25)
Group net debt

As at 31 December 2013

As at 31 December 2012

Fair value (i)
 €m 

Book value
 €m 

Fair value (i)
 €m 

Book value
 €m 

 2,540 
(5,799)
 27 
(3,232)

 2,540 
(5,540)
 27 
(2,973)

 1,747 
(5,142)
 152 
(3,243)

 1,747 
(4,808)
 152 
(2,909)

(i)  All interest-bearing loans and borrowings are Level 2 fair value measurements.

The following table shows the effective interest rates on period-end fixed, gross and net debt:

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings nominal - fixed rate (i)
Derivative financial instruments - fixed rate
Net fixed rate debt including derivatives
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings nominal - floating rate (ii)
Adjustment of debt from nominal to book value (i)
Derivative financial instruments - currency floating rate
Gross debt including derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents - floating rate
Net debt including derivative financial instruments

 €m 

(5,362)
 1,518 
(3,844)
(54)
(124)
(1,491)
(5,513)
 2,540 
(2,973)

As at 31 December 2013

As at 31 December 2012

Interest 
rate

Weighted average 
fixed period  
Years

5.5%

 5.1 

4.6%

Interest 
rate

Weighted average  
fixed period  
Years

6.3%

4.4

5.3%

 €m 

(4,516)
 1,314 
(3,202)
(82)
(210)
(1,162)
(4,656)
1,747 
(2,909)

(i)  Of the Group’s nominal fixed rate debt at 31 December 2013, €1,882 million (2012: €2,087 million) was hedged to floating rate at inception using interest rate swaps. 
The balance of nominal fixed rate debt of €3,480 million (2012: €2,429 million) pertains to financial liabilities measured at amortised cost in accordance with IAS 39.

(ii)  Floating rate debt comprises bank borrowings and finance leases bearing interest at rates set in advance for periods ranging from overnight to less than one year 

largely by reference to inter-bank interest rates.

Currency profile
The currency profile of the Group’s net debt and net worth (capital and reserves attributable to the Company’s equity holders) as at 31 December 2013 and 
2012 is as follows: 

euro
€m

US
Dollar
€m

Pound
Sterling
€m

Swiss
Franc Other (iii)
€m

€m

Total
€m

Net debt by major currency including derivative financial instruments

(1,304)

(1,476)

(57)

 11 

(147)

(2,973)

Non-debt assets and liabilities analysed as follows:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities
Non-controlling interests
Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders 

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

 3,378 
 1,568 
(522)
(1,126)
(8)
 1,986 

 6,293 
 2,138 
(1,221)
(1,221)
(3)
 4,510 

 433 
 234 
(107)
(208)
 -   
 295 

 796 
 330 
(169)
(198)
(12)
 758 

 2,113 
 526 
(77)
(301)
(1)
 2,113 

 13,013 
 4,796 
(2,096)
(3,054)
(24)
 9,662 

Net debt by major currency including derivative financial instruments

(856)

(1,828)

(49)

(3)

(173)

(2,909)

Non-debt assets and liabilities analysed as follows:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities
Non-controlling interests
Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders

 3,583 
 1,721 
(571)
(1,118)
(20)
 2,739 

 6,682 
 2,181 
(1,356)
(1,279)
(3)
 4,397 

 522 
 235 
(150)
(197)
 -   
 361 

 870 
 358 
(243)
(211)
(11)
 760 

 2,311 
 518 
(98)
(260)
(2)
 2,296 

 13,968 
 5,013 
(2,418)
(3,065)
(36)
 10,553 

(iii)  The principal currencies included in this category are the Polish Zloty, the Indian Rupee, the Ukrainian Hryvnia, the Chinese Renminbi, the Turkish Lira, 

the Canadian Dollar, the Israeli Shekel and the Argentine Peso.

CRH  127

 
22. Capital and Financial Risk Management

Capital management

Overall summary
The primary objectives of CRH’s capital management strategy are to ensure that the Group maintains a strong credit rating to support its business and to 
create shareholder value by managing the debt and equity balance and the cost of capital. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes 
for managing capital during 2013.

The Board periodically reviews the capital structure of the Group, including the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Group 
manages and, if necessary, adjusts its capital structure taking account of underlying economic conditions; any material adjustments to the Group’s capital 
structure in terms of the relative proportions of debt and equity are approved by the Board. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group 
may  issue  new  shares,  dispose  of  assets,  amend  investment  plans,  alter  dividend  policy  or  return  capital  to  shareholders.  The  Group  is  committed  to 
optimising the use of its balance sheet within the confines of the overall objective to maintain an investment grade credit rating. Dividend cover for the year 
ended 31 December 2013, before impairment charges (and the related tax credit), amounted to 0.95 times (2012: 1.2 times).

The capital structure of the Group, which comprises net debt and capital and reserves attributable to the Company’s equity holders, may be summarised 
as follows: 

Capital and reserves attributable to the Company's equity holders
Net debt
Capital and net debt

Financial risk management objectives and policies

2013
€m

 9,662 
 2,973 
 12,635 

2012
€m

10,553
2,909
13,462

The Group uses financial instruments throughout its businesses: interest-bearing loans and borrowings, cash and cash equivalents and finance leases are used 
to finance the Group’s operations; trade receivables and trade payables arise directly from operations; and derivatives, principally interest rate and currency 
swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are used to manage interest rate risks and currency exposures and to achieve the desired profile of borrowings. 
The Group does not trade in financial instruments nor does it enter into any leveraged derivative transactions.

The Group’s corporate treasury function provides services to the business units, co-ordinates access to domestic and international financial markets, and 
monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Group. The Head of Group Financial Operations reports to the Finance Director and 
the activities of the corporate treasury function are subject to regular internal audit. Systems are in place to monitor and control the Group’s liquidity risks. The 
Group’s net debt position forms part of the monthly documentation presented to the Board of Directors. 

The main risks attaching to the Group’s financial instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Commodity price risk arising 
from financial instruments is of minimal relevance given that exposure is confined to a small number of contracts entered into for the purpose of hedging future 
movements in energy costs. The Board reviews and agrees policies for the prudent management of each of these risks as documented below. 

Interest rate risk 
The Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates stems predominantly from its long-term debt obligations. Interest cost is managed using a mix 
of fixed and floating rate debt. With the objective of managing this mix in a cost-efficient manner, the Group enters into interest rate swaps, under which the 
Group contracts to exchange, at predetermined intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to a pre-agreed 
notional principal. Such contracts enable the Group to mitigate the risk of changing interest rates on the fair value of issued fixed rate debt and the cash flow 
exposures of issued floating rate debt.

The  majority  of  these  swaps  are  designated  under  IAS  39  to  hedge  underlying  debt  obligations  and  qualify  for  hedge  accounting;  undesignated  financial 
instruments are termed “not designated as hedges” in the analysis of derivative financial instruments presented in note 25. The following table demonstrates 
the impact on (loss)/profit before tax and total equity of a range of possible changes in the interest rates applicable to net floating rate borrowings, with all other 
variables held constant. These impacts are calculated based on the closing balance sheet for the relevant period and assume all floating interest rates and 
interest curves change by the same amount. For (loss)/profit before tax, the impact shown is the impact on closing balance sheet floating rate net debt for a full 
year while for total equity the impact shown is the impact on the value of financial instruments.

Percentage change in cost of borrowings

Impact on (loss)/profit before tax 

Impact on total equity

128  CRH

+/- 1%

+/- 0.5%

+/- €10m
+/- €5m

+/- €5m
+/- €3m

-/+ €8m
+/- €1m

-/+ €4m
+/- €0.5m

2013
2012

2013
2012

 
22. Capital and Financial Risk Management | continued

Foreign currency risk
Due to the nature of building materials, which in general exhibit a low value-to-weight ratio, CRH’s activities are conducted primarily in the local currency of 
the country of operation resulting in low levels of foreign currency transaction risk; variances arising in this regard are reflected in operating costs or cost of 
sales in the Consolidated Income Statement in the period in which they arise.

Given the Group’s presence in 35 countries worldwide, the principal foreign exchange risk arises from fluctuations in the euro value of the Group’s net 
investment in a wide basket of currencies other than the euro; such changes are reported separately within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income. A currency profile of the Group’s net debt and net worth is presented in note 21. The Group’s established policy is to spread its net worth across 
the  currencies  of  its  various  operations  with  the  objective  of  limiting  its  exposure  to  individual  currencies  and  thus  promoting  consistency  with  the 
geographical balance of its operations. In order to achieve this objective, the Group manages its borrowings, where practicable and cost effective, to hedge 
a portion of its foreign currency assets. Hedging is done using currency borrowings in the same currency as the assets being hedged or through the use of 
other hedging methods such as currency swaps. 

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of (loss)/profit before tax and equity to selected movements in the relevant €/US$ exchange rate (with all 
other variables held constant); the US Dollar has been selected as the appropriate currency for this analysis given the materiality of the Group’s activities in 
the United States. The impact on (loss)/profit before tax is based on changing the €/US$ exchange rate used in calculating (loss)/profit before tax for the 
period. The impact on total equity and financial instruments is calculated by changing the €/US$ exchange rate used in measuring the closing balance sheet.

Percentage change in relevant €/US$ exchange rate

Impact on (loss)/profit before tax 

Impact on total equity*

* Includes the impact on financial instruments which is as follows:

+/- 5% +/- 2.5%

2013
2012

-/+ €14m
-/+ €14m

-/+ €7m
-/+ €7m

2013 -/+ €215m -/+ €110m
2012 -/+ €210m -/+ €108m

2013
2012

+/- €70m +/- €36m
+/- €87m +/- €45m

Financial instruments include deposits, money market funds, bank loans, medium term notes and other fixed term debt, interest rate swaps, commodity 
swaps and foreign exchange contracts. They exclude trade receivables and trade payables.

Credit/counterparty risk
In  addition  to  cash  at  bank  and  in  hand,  the  Group  holds  significant  cash  balances  which  are  invested  on  a  short-term  basis  and  are  classified  as  cash 
equivalents (see note 23). These deposits and other financial instruments (principally certain derivatives and loans and receivables included within financial 
assets) give rise to credit risk on amounts due from counterparty financial institutions (stemming from their insolvency or a downgrade in their credit ratings). 
Credit risk is managed by limiting the aggregate amount and duration of exposure to any one counterparty primarily depending on its credit rating and by regular 
review of these ratings. Acceptable credit ratings are high investment-grade ratings - generally counterparties have ratings of A2/A or higher from Moody’s/
Standard & Poor’s ratings agencies. The maximum exposure arising in the event of default on the part of the counterparty (including insolvency) is the carrying 
value of the relevant financial instrument.

In its worldwide insurance programme, the Group carries appropriate levels of insurance for typical business risks (including product liability) with various 
leading insurance companies. However, in the event of the failure of one or more of its insurance counterparties, the Group could be impacted by losses where 
recovery from such counterparties is not possible.

Credit risk arising in the context of the Group’s operations is not significant with the total bad debt provision at the balance sheet date amounting to 5.5% of 
gross  trade  receivables  (2012:  5.7%).  Customer  credit  risk  is  managed  at  appropriate  Group  locations  according  to  established  policies,  procedures  and 
controls. Customer credit quality is assessed in line with strict credit rating criteria and credit limits established where appropriate. Outstanding customer 
balances are regularly monitored and a review for indicators of impairment (evidence of financial difficulty of the customer, payment default, breach of contract 
etc.)  is  carried  out  at  each  reporting  date.  Significant  balances  are  reviewed  individually  while  smaller  balances  are  grouped  and  assessed  collectively. 
Receivables balances are in general unsecured and non-interest-bearing. The trade receivables balances disclosed in note 18 comprise a large number of 
customers spread across the Group’s activities and geographies with balances classified as neither past due nor impaired representing 72% of the total trade 
receivables balance at the balance sheet date (2012: 75%); amounts receivable from related parties (notes 18 and 32) are immaterial. Factoring and credit 
guarantee arrangements are employed in certain of the Group’s operations where deemed to be of benefit by operational management.

Liquidity risk
The principal liquidity risks faced by the Group stem from the maturation of debt obligations and derivative transactions. A downgrade of CRH’s credit ratings 
may  give  rise  to  increases  in  funding  costs  in  respect  of  future  debt  and  may  impair  the  Group’s  ability  to  raise  funds  on  acceptable  terms.  The  Group’s 
corporate treasury function ensures that sufficient resources are available to meet such liabilities as they fall due through a combination of cash and cash 
equivalents, cash flows and undrawn committed bank facilities. Flexibility in funding sources is achieved through a variety of means including (i) maintaining 
cash and cash equivalents only with a diversity of highly-rated counterparties; (ii) limiting the maturity of such balances; (iii) borrowing the bulk of the Group’s 
debt requirements under committed bank lines or other term financing; and (iv) having surplus committed lines of credit.

The undrawn committed facilities available to the Group as at the balance sheet date are quantified in note 24; these facilities span a wide number of highly-
rated financial institutions thus minimising any potential exposure arising from concentrations in borrowing sources. The repayment schedule (analysed by 
maturity date) applicable to the Group’s outstanding interest-bearing loans and borrowings as at the balance sheet date is also presented in note 24.

CRH  129

 
22. Capital and Financial Risk Management | continued

The tables below show the projected contractual undiscounted total cash outflows (principal and interest) arising from the Group’s trade and other payables, 
gross debt and derivative financial instruments. The tables also include the gross cash inflows projected to arise from derivative financial instruments. These 
projections are based on the interest and foreign exchange rates applying at the end of the relevant financial year.

At 31 December 2013
Financial liabilities - cash outflows
Trade and other payables
Finance leases
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Interest payments on finance leases
Interest payments on other interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Cross-currency swaps - gross cash outflows
Gross projected cash outflows

Derivative financial instruments - cash inflows
Interest rate swaps - net cash inflows
Cross-currency swaps - gross cash inflows
Gross projected cash inflows

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 31 December 2012
Financial liabilities - cash outflows
Trade and other payables
Finance leases
Other interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Interest payments on finance leases
Interest payments on other interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Cross-currency swaps - gross cash outflows
Gross projected cash outflows

Derivative financial instruments - cash inflows
Interest rate swaps - net cash inflows
Cross-currency swaps - gross cash inflows
Gross projected cash inflows

Within
1 year
 €m 

Between 
1 and 2
years
 €m 

Between 
2 and 3
years
 €m 

Between 
3 and 4
years
 €m 

Between 
4 and 5
years
 €m 

After
5 years
 €m 

Total
 €m 

 2,754 
 3 
 955 
 1 
 263 
 2,196 
 6,172 

(40)
(2,183)
(2,223)

 2,775 
 3 
 634 
 1 
 284 
 2,201 
 5,898 

(57)
(2,216)
(2,273)

 140 
 2 
 353 
 1 
 214 
 327 
 1,037 

(30)
(308)
(338)

 145 
 3 
 905 
 1 
 224 
 29 
 1,307 

(34)
(27)
(61)

 20 
 1 
 1,203 
 -   
 178 
 -   
 1,402 

(20)
 -   
(20)

 41 
 1 
 350 
 -   
 176 
 343 
 911 

(25)
(332)
(357)

 22 
 6 
 -   
 -   
 134 
 -   
 162 

(12)
 -   
(12)

 13 
 1 
 1,257 
 1 
 138 
 8 
 1,418 

(20)
(8)
(28)

 22 
 1 
 472 
 -   
 116 
 -   
 611 

(13)
 -   
(13)

 21 
 6 
 1 
 -   
 93 
 -   
 121 

(11)
 -   
(11)

 128 
 2 
 2,445 
 -   
 318 
 -   
 2,893 

 3,086 
 15 
 5,428 
 2 
 1,223 
 2,523 
 12,277 

(22)
 -   
(22)

(137)
(2,491)
(2,628)

 118 
 3 
 1,457 
 1 
 264 
 -   
 1,843 

 3,113 
 17 
 4,604 
 4 
 1,179 
 2,581 
 11,498 

(7)
 -   
(7)

(154)
(2,583)
(2,737)

Commodity price risk
The fair value of derivatives used to hedge future energy costs was €4 million unfavourable as at the balance sheet date (2012: €2 million unfavourable).

23. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents balances are spread across a wide number of highly-rated financial institutions. The credit risk attaching to these items is documented 
in note 22.

Cash and cash equivalents, are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows at fair value and, are analysed as 
follows:

Cash at bank and in hand

Investments (short-term deposits)

Total

2013
€m

 582 

 1,958 

 2,540 

2012
€m

 604 

 1,143 

 1,747 

Cash at bank earns interest at floating rates based on daily deposit bank rates. Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and 
three months depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Group, and earn interest at the respective short-term deposit rates.

130  CRH

24. Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings

Loans and borrowings outstanding

Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Finance leases 
Bonds and private placements
Other 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings*

2013
€m

 40 
 28 
 15 
 5,439 
 18 
 5,540 

2012
€m

 54 
 48 
 17 
 4,670 
 19 
 4,808 

*  Including loans of €1 million (2012: €3 million) secured on specific items of property, plant and equipment; these figures do not include finance leases.

Maturity profile of loans and borrowings and undrawn committed facilities

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years
Total

As at 31 December 2013

As at 31 December 2012

Loans and  
borrowings

€m

 961 
 349 
 1,240 
 4 
 506 
 2,480 
 5,540 

Undrawn  
committed  
facilities**

Loans and  
borrowings

€m

€m

 -   
 40 
 1,625 
 85 
 200 
 -   
 1,950 

 647 
 928 
 347 
 1,314 
 5 
 1,567 
 4,808 

Undrawn  
committed  
facilities**

€m

 150 
 -   
 40 
 1,626 
 -   
 1 
 1,817 

**  The Group manages its borrowing ability by entering into committed borrowing agreements. Revolving committed bank facilities are generally available to the Group 
for periods of up to five years from the date of inception. The figures shown above are the undrawn committed facilities available to be drawn by the Group at  
31 December 2013.

Guarantees
The Company has given letters of guarantee to secure obligations of subsidiary undertakings as follows: €5.5 billion in respect of loans, bank advances, 
derivative obligations and future lease obligations (2012: €4.8 billion), €270 million in respect of letters of credit (2012: €289 million) and €nil million in 
respect of other obligations (2012: €7 million).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 17, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the Company has guaranteed the liabilities of its wholly-owned subsidiary 
undertakings and the Oldcastle Finance Company and Oldcastle North America Funding Company general partnerships in the Republic of Ireland for 
the financial year ended 31 December 2013 and, as a result, such subsidiary undertakings and the general partnerships have been exempted from the 
filing  provisions  of  Section  7,  Companies  (Amendment)  Act,  1986  and  Regulation  20  of  the  European  Communities  (Accounts)  Regulations,  1993 
respectively.

Lender covenants
The Group’s major bank facilities and debt issued pursuant to Note Purchase Agreements in private placements require the Group to maintain certain 
financial  covenants.  Non-compliance  with  financial  covenants  would  give  the  relevant  lenders  the  right  to  terminate  facilities  and  demand  early 
repayment of any sums drawn thereunder thus altering the maturity profile of the Group’s debt and the Group’s liquidity. Calculations for financial 
covenants  are  completed  for  twelve-month  periods  half-yearly  on  30  June  and  31  December.  The  Group  was  in  full  compliance  with  its  financial 
covenants throughout each of the periods presented. The Group is not aware of any stated events of default as defined in the Agreements.

The financial covenants are:

(1)  Minimum  interest  cover  defined  as  PBITDA/net  interest  (all  as  defined  in  the  relevant  agreement)  cover  at  no  lower  than  4.5  times.  As  at  

31 December 2013 the ratio was 6.3 times (2012: 6.5 times);

(2)  Minimum net worth defined as total equity plus deferred tax liabilities and capital grants less repayable capital grants being in aggregate no 
lower than €5.1 billion (2012: €5.1 billion) (such minimum being adjusted for foreign exchange translation impacts). As at 31 December 2013 net 
worth (as defined in the relevant agreement) was €10.9 billion (2012: €11.8 billion).

CRH  131

 
25. Derivative Financial Instruments

The fair values of derivative financial instruments are analysed by year of maturity and by accounting designation as follows:

Fair  
value 
hedges

Cash flow 
hedges

Net  
investment 
hedges

Not  
designated 
as hedges

 €m 

 €m 

 €m 

 €m 

Total

 €m 

At 31 December 2013

Derivative assets
Within one year - current assets

Between one and two years 
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years
Non-current assets

Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities
Within one year - current liabilities

Between one and two years 
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years
Non-current liabilities

Total derivative liabilities

Net asset arising on derivative financial instruments

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 31 December 2012

Derivative assets
Within one year - current assets

Between one and two years 
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years
Non-current assets

Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities
Within one year - current liabilities

Between one and two years 
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years
Non-current liabilities

Total derivative liabilities

 9 

 -   
 30 
 -   
 28 
 -   
 58 

 67 

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
(11)
(11)

(11)

 56 

 48 

 24 
 -   
 45 
 -   
 51 
 120 

 168 

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

Net asset arising on derivative financial instruments

 168 

132  CRH

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

(2)

(21)
(1)
(1)
 -   
 -   
(23)

(25)

(25)

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

(1)

(1)
(13)
 -   
 -   
 -   
(14)

(15)

(15)

 8 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 8 

(17)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

(17)

(9)

 4 

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 4 

(5)

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

(5)

(1)

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 5 
 5 

 5 

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

 5 

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   
 -   

 -   

 -   

 17 

 -   
 30 
 -   
 28 
 5 
 63 

 80 

(19)

(21)
(1)
(1)
 -   
(11)
(34)

(53)

 27 

 52 

 24 
 -   
 45 
 -   
 51 
 120 

 172 

(6)

(1)
(13)
 -   
 -   
 -   
(14)

(20)

 152 

25. Derivative Financial Instruments | continued

At 31 December 2013 and 2012, the Group had no master netting or similar arrangements, collateral posting requirements, and enforceable 
right of set-off agreements with any of its derivative counterparts.

Fair value hedges consist of interest rate swaps and currency swaps. These instruments hedge risks arising from changes in asset/liability 
fair values due to interest rate and foreign exchange rate movements.

Cash flow hedges consist of forward foreign exchange and commodity contracts and interest rate and currency swaps. These instruments 
hedge risks arising to future cash flows from movements in foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. Cash flow hedges 
are expected to affect profit and loss over the period to maturity. 

Net investment hedges comprise cross-currency swaps and hedge changes in the value of net investments due to currency movements.

The profit/(loss) arising on fair value, cash flow, net investment hedges and related hedged items reflected in the Consolidated Income 
Statement is shown below:

Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness
Fair value of hedge instruments
Fair value of the hedged items

Components of other comprehensive income - cash flow hedges

(Losses)/gains arising during the year:
 - commodity forward contracts

Reclassification adjustments for losses/(gains) included in:
 - the Consolidated Income Statement
Total

Fair value hierarchy

Assets measured at fair value
Fair value hedges - cross currency and interest rate swaps
Net investment hedges - cross currency swaps
Not designated as hedges (held-for-trading) - interest rate swaps
Total

Liabilities measured at fair value
Fair value hedges - cross currency and interest rate swaps
Cash flow hedges - cross currency, interest rate swaps and commodity forwards
Net investment hedges - cross currency swaps
Total

2013
€m

 -   
(68)
 71 

(2)

 -   
(2)

2012
€m

(3)
(16)
21

 -   

 1 
 1 

2013
Level 2
€m

2012
Level 2
€m

 67 
 8 
 5 
 80 

(11)
(25)
(17)
(53)

 168 
 4 
 -   
 172 

 -   
(15)
(5)
(20)

At 31 December 2013 and 2012 there were no derivatives valued using Level 1 or Level 3 fair value techniques. Valuation methods for 
Levels 1, 2 and 3 are described in the “fair value hierarchy” section of the accounting policies on page 108.

CRH  133

 
 
26. Provisions for Liabilities

Net present cost

At 1 
January
€m

Translation
adjustment
€m

Arising on
acquisition 
(note 31)
€m

Provided
during
year
€m

Utilised 
during
year
€m

Disposed 
during
year
€m

Reversed
unused
€m

Discount
unwinding
€m

At 31
December
€m

31 December 2013

Insurance (i)

Environment and remediation (ii)

Rationalisation and redundancy (iii)

Other (iv)

Total

Analysed as:

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Total

 191 

 82 

 26 

 67 

 366 

 256 

 110 

 366 

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

31 December 2012

Insurance (i)

Environment and remediation (ii)

Rationalisation and redundancy (iii)

Other (iv)

Total

Analysed as:

Non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Total

 199 

 85 

 13 

 68 

 365 

 244 

 121 

 365 

(7)

(1)

 -   

(1)

(9)

(2)

 -   

 -   

 -   

(2)

 -   

 5 

 5 

 4 

 42 

 6 

 55 

 14 

(50)

(4)

(38)

(11)

 14 

 117 

(103)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 1 

 1 

 51 

 2 

 48 

 15 

 116 

(45)

(4)

(35)

(8)

(92)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(1)

 -   

 -   

(1)

(4)

(4)

(6)

(6)

 9 

 3 

 1 

 2 

 181 

 87 

 43 

 69 

(20)

 15 

 380 

(22)

(2)

(1)

(11)

(36)

 10 

 2 

 1 

 2 

 15 

 231 

 149 

 380 

 191 

 82 

 26 

 67 

 366 

 256 

 110 

 366 

(i)  This provision relates to actual and potential obligations arising under the self-insurance components of the Group’s insurance arrangements which 
comprise employers’ liability (workers’ compensation in the United States), public and products liability (general liability in the United States), automobile 
liability, property damage, business interruption and various other insurances; a substantial proportion of the total provision pertains to claims which are 
classified as “incurred but not reported”. Due to the extended timeframe associated with many of the insurances, a significant proportion of the total 
provision is subject to periodic actuarial valuation. The projected cash flows underlying the discounting process are established through the application 
of actuarial triangulations, which are extrapolated from historical claims experience. The triangulations applied in the discounting process indicate that 
the Group’s insurance provisions have an average life of six years (2012: six years).

(ii)  This  provision  comprises  obligations  governing  site  remediation  and  improvement  costs  to  be  incurred  in  compliance  with  either  local  or  national 
environmental  regulations  together  with  constructive  obligations  stemming  from  established  best  practice.  Whilst  a  significant  element  of  the  total 
provision  will  reverse  in  the  medium-term  (two  to  ten  years),  the  majority  of  the  legal  and  constructive  obligations  applicable  to  long-lived  assets 
(principally mineral-bearing land) will unwind over a 30-year timeframe. In discounting the related obligations, expected future cash outflows have been 
determined with due regard to extraction status and anticipated remaining life.

(iii) These provisions relate to irrevocable commitments under various rationalisation and redundancy programmes, none of which is individually material to the 
Group. In 2013, €55 million (2012: €48 million) was provided in respect of rationalisation and redundancy activities as a consequence of undertaking various 
cost  reduction  initiatives  across  all  operations.  These  initiatives  included  removing  excess  capacity  from  manufacturing  and  distribution  networks  and 
scaling operations to match market supply and demand; implementation of these initiatives resulted in a reduction in staffing levels in all business segments 
over recent years. The Group expects that these provisions will be utilised within one to two years of the balance sheet date (2012: one to two years).

(iv) This includes provisions relating to guarantees and warranties of €14 million (2012: €13 million) throughout the Group at 31 December 2013. The Group 

expects that these provisions will be utilised within two years of the balance sheet date (2012: two to three years). 

Discount rate sensitivity analysis
All non-current provisions are discounted at a rate of 5% (2012: 5%), consistent with the average effective interest rate for the Group’s borrowings. There is 
no impact (2012: €1 million) on profit before tax of a 1% change in the discount rate applicable to provisions, with all other variables held constant.

134  CRH

  
27. Deferred Income Tax

The deductible and taxable temporary differences in respect of which deferred tax has been recognised are as follows:

Reported in balance sheet after offset

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets

Net deferred income tax liability

Deferred income tax assets (deductible temporary differences)

Deficits on Group retirement benefit obligations (note 28)

Revaluation of derivative financial instruments to fair value

Tax loss carryforwards

Share-based payment expense

Provisions for liabilities and working capital-related items

Other deductible temporary differences

Total

2013
€m

2012
€m

 1,166 

(107)

 1,059 

 1,232 

(191)

 1,041 

 74 

 15 

 98 

 2 

 144 

 38 

 371 

 135 

 21 

 129 

 1 

 181 

 47 

 514 

Deferred income tax assets have been recognised in respect of all deductible temporary differences, with the exception of some tax loss carryforwards. The 
amount of tax losses where recovery is not probable and is therefore not recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is €712 million (2012: €357 million). The 
vast majority will expire post 2018 (2012: 2017).

Deferred income tax liabilities (taxable temporary differences)
Taxable temporary differences principally attributable to accelerated tax depreciation and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition (i)
Revaluation of derivative financial instruments to fair value
Rolled-over capital gains
Total

 1,400 
 13 
 17 
 1,430 

 1,522 
 15 
 18 
 1,555 

(i)  Fair value adjustments arising on acquisition principally relate to property, plant and equipment.

Movement in net deferred income tax liability

At 1 January

Translation adjustment

Net expense for the year (note 11)

Arising on acquisition (note 31)

Disposal (note 5)

Movement in deferred tax asset on Group retirement benefit obligations

At 31 December

 1,041 

(37)

 1,062 

(15)

 4 

 8 

 -   

 7 

 9 

 1 

 43 

 1,059 

(23)

 1,041 

CRH  135

 
28. Retirement Benefit Obligations

The Group operates either defined benefit or defined contribution pension schemes in all of its principal operating areas. 

The Group operates defined benefit pension schemes in the Republic of Ireland, Britain and Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland 
and the United States; for the purposes of the disclosures which follow, the schemes in the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have 
been aggregated into a “Eurozone” category on the basis of common currency and financial assumptions. The majority of the defined benefit pension schemes 
operated by the Group are funded as disclosed in the analysis of the defined benefit obligation presented below with unfunded schemes restricted to one 
scheme in each of the Netherlands and the United States and three schemes in Germany.  

All funded defined benefit schemes are administered by separate funds that are legally separate from the Group under the jurisdiction of Trustees. Each of the 
Group’s schemes operate under broadly similar regulatory frameworks. The Trustees of the various pension funds in existence across the Group are required 
by law and by their articles of association to act in the best interests of the scheme participants and are responsible for the definition of investment strategy and 
for  scheme  administration.  The  level  of  benefits  available  to  members  depends  on  length  of  service  and  either  their  average  salary  over  their  period  of 
employment  or  their  salary  in  the  final  years  leading  up  to  retirement.  The  Group’s  pension  schemes  in  Switzerland  are  contribution-based  schemes  with 
guarantees to provide further contributions in the event that certain targets are not met largely in relation to investment return and the annuity conversion factor 
on retirement.

Provision has been made in the financial statements for post-retirement healthcare obligations in respect of certain current and former employees principally in 
the United States and for long-term service commitments in respect of certain employees in the Eurozone and Switzerland. These obligations are unfunded in 
nature and the required disclosures form part of this note.

Defined benefit pension schemes - principal risks

Through its defined benefit pension schemes and post-retirement healthcare plans, the Group is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which 
are detailed below:

Asset volatility: Under IFRS, the assets of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes are reported at fair value (using bid prices, where relevant). The majority 
of the schemes’ assets comprise of equities, bonds and property all of which may fluctuate significantly in value from period to period. Given that liabilities are 
discounted to present value based on bond yields and that bond prices are inversely related to yields, an increase in the liability discount rate (which would 
reduce liabilities) would reduce bond values though not necessarily by an equal magnitude.

Given the maturity of certain of the Group’s funded defined benefit pension schemes, de-risking frameworks have been introduced to mitigate deficit volatility 
and enable better matching of investment returns with the cash outflows related to benefit obligations. These frameworks entail the usage of asset-liability 
matching techniques whereby triggers are set for the conversion of equity holdings into bonds of similar average duration to the relevant liabilities.

Discount rates: The discount rates employed in determining the present value of the schemes’ liabilities are determined by reference to market yields at the 
balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds of a currency and term consistent with the currency and term of the associated post-employment benefit 
obligations. Changes in discount rates impact the quantum of liabilities as discussed above.

Inflation risk: Some of the Group’s pension obligations have an inflation linkage; higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities (although in most cases, caps on the 
level of inflationary increases are in place to protect the scheme against extreme inflation).

Longevity risk: In the majority of cases, the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes provide benefits for life with spousal and dependent child reversionary 
provisions; increases in life expectancy will therefore give rise to higher liabilities.

Financial assumptions - scheme liabilities
The major long-term assumptions used by the Group’s actuaries in the computation of scheme liabilities as at 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2012 are 
as follows:

Rate of increase in:

- salaries

- pensions in payment

Inflation

Discount rate

Medical cost trend rate

2013
%

 4.00 

 2.00 

 2.00 

 3.70 

 n/a 

Eurozone

2012
%

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
2013
%
%

 4.00 

 4.30 

 4.00 

 2.00   3.30-3.50   3.00-3.40 

 2.00 

 3.80 

 n/a 

 3.30 

 4.60 

 n/a 

 3.00 

 4.50 

 n/a 

Switzerland

2013
%

 2.25 

 0.25 

 1.25 

 2.35 

 n/a 

2012
%

 2.25 

 0.25 

 1.25 

 1.85 

 n/a 

United States
2013
%

2012
%

 3.50 

 3.50 

 -   

 2.00 

 4.70 

 7.40 

 -   

 2.00 

 3.75 

 6.25 

The mortality assumptions employed in determining the present value of scheme liabilities under IAS 19 are in accordance with the underlying funding valuations 
and represent actuarial best practice in the relevant jurisdictions taking account of mortality experience and industry circumstances. With regard to the most 
material of the Group’s schemes, the future life expectations factored into the relevant valuations, based on retirement at 65 years of age for current and future 
retirees, are as follows:

Current retirees

- male

- female

Future retirees 

- male

- female

The above data allow for future improvements in life expectancy. 

136  CRH

Republic of 
Ireland

2013

2012

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
2013

Switzerland

2013

2012

 22.7 

 24.9 

 25.7 

 26.7 

 22.6 

 24.4 

 25.7 

 26.7 

 23.2 

 25.7 

 25.5 

 28.2 

 23.2 

 25.8 

 24.8 

 27.4 

 21.3 

 23.8 

 23.5 

 25.9 

 19.7 

 22.0 

 19.7 

 22.0 

28. Retirement Benefit Obligations | continued

Impact on Consolidated Income Statement

The total retirement benefit expense in the Consolidated Income Statement is as follows:

Total defined contribution expense

Total defined benefit expense

Total expense in Consolidated Income Statement 

2013
€m

2012
€m

 149 

 52 

 201 

 142 

 39 

 181 

At 31 December 2013, €34 million (2012: €38 million) was included in other payables in respect of defined contribution pension liabilities.

Analysis of defined benefit expense

Eurozone

2013
€m

2012
€m

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
€m

2013
€m

Switzerland
2013
€m

2012
€m

United States
2012
2013
€m
€m

Total Group
2013
€m

2012
€m

Charged in arriving at Group profit before finance costs:

Current service cost

Administration expenses

Past service costs

Subtotal

Included in finance income and finance costs respectively:

Interest income on scheme assets

Interest cost on scheme liabilities

Net interest expense

Net charge to Consolidated Income Statement

 11 

 1 

(6)

 6 

(27)

 39 

 12 

 18 

 7 

 -   

(33)

(26)

(29)

 44 

 15 

(11)

 13 

 1 

(3)

 11 

(26)

 30 

 4 

 15 

 14 

 2 

 -   

 16 

(26)

 31 

 5 

 21 

 27 

 1 

(15)

 13 

(12)

 14 

 2 

 15 

 25 

 -   

 1 

 26 

(16)

 17 

 1 

 27 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(6)

 10 

 4 

 4 

(2)

 -   

 -   

(2)

(7)

 11 

 4 

 2 

 51 

 3 

(24)

 30 

(71)

 93 

 22 

 52 

 44 

 2 

(32)

 14 

(78)

 103 

 25 

 39 

Past service costs include curtailment and settlement gains. During 2013, the Group implemented changes to the terms of a number of its defined benefit 
pension schemes in Switzerland giving rise to a curtailment gain of €15 million.

No reimbursement rights have been recognised as assets in accordance with IAS19 Employee Benefits.

Reconciliation of scheme assets (bid value)

At 1 January

Movement in year

Administration expenses

Past service costs

Interest income on scheme assets

Return on scheme assets excluding interest income

Employer contributions paid

Contributions paid by plan participants

Benefit and settlement payments

Disposals

Translation adjustment

At 31 December

 710 

 551 

 597 

 525 

 661 

 628 

 174 

 159 

 2,142 

 1,863 

(1)

 -   

 27 

 30 

 70 

 3 

(49)

 -   

 -   

 -   

(3)

 29 

 57 

 114 

 3 

(41)

 -   

 -   

 790 

 710 

(1)

 -   

 26 

 44 

 28 

 -   

(21)

 -   

(2)

 -   

 26 

 35 

 20 

 -   

(19)

 -   

(11)

 662 

 12 

 597 

(1)

 -   

 12 

 25 

 17 

 10 

(31)

 -   

(10)

 683 

 -   

 -   

 16 

 32 

 18 

 11 

(33)

(15)

 4 

 -   

 -   

 6 

 9 

 9 

 -   

(11)

 -   

(8)

 -   

(1)

 7 

 10 

 14 

 -   

(11)

 -   

(4)

(3)

 -   

 71 

 108 

 124 

 13 

(112)

 -   

(29)

(2)

(4)

 78 

 134 

 166 

 14 

(104)

(15)

 12 

 661 

 179 

 174 

 2,314 

 2,142 

CRH  137

 
28. Retirement Benefit Obligations | continued

Reconciliation of actuarial value of liabilities

At 1 January

Movement in year

Current service cost

Past service costs

Interest cost on scheme liabilities

Remeasurements

 - experience variations

 - actuarial (loss)/gain from changes in financial assumptions

 - actuarial loss from changes in demographic assumptions

Contributions paid by plan participants

Benefit and settlement payments

Disposals

Translation adjustment

At 31 December

Recoverable deficit in schemes

Related deferred income tax asset

Net pension liability

Eurozone

2013
€m

2012
€m

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
€m

2013
€m

Switzerland
2013
€m

2012
€m

United States
2012
2013
€m
€m

Total Group
2013
€m

2012
€m

(1,054)

(896)

(705)

(652)

(765)

(702)

(271)

(249)

(2,795)

(2,499)

(11)

 6 

(39)

 23 

(16)

 -   

(3)

 49 

 -   

 -   

(7)

 36 

(44)

(4)

(175)

(2)

(3)

 41 

 -   

 -   

(1,045)

(1,054)

(255)

 39 

(216)

(344)

 51 

(293)

(13)

 3 

(30)

 2 

(13)

(2)

 -   

 21 

 -   

 14 

(723)

(61)

 6 

(55)

(14)

 -   

(31)

 11 

(23)

 -   

 -   

 19 

 -   

(15)

(705)

(108)

 25 

(83)

(27)

 15 

(14)

 17 

 64 

(51)

(10)

 31 

 -   

 13 

(727)

(44)

 9 

(35)

(25)

(1)

(17)

 7 

(60)

(3)

(11)

 33 

 19 

(5)

(765)

(104)

 21 

(83)

 -   

 -   

(10)

 -   

 30 

 -   

 -   

 11 

 -   

 11 

(229)

(50)

 20 

(30)

 2 

 1 

(11)

(1)

(30)

 -   

 -   

(51)

 24 

(93)

 42 

 65 

(53)

(13)

(44)

 36 

(103)

 13 

(288)

(5)

(14)

 11 

 112 

 104 

 -   

 6 

 -   

 38 

 19 

(14)

(271)

(2,724)

(2,795)

(97)

 38 

(59)

(410)

 74 

(336)

(653)

 135 

(518)

During the year, settlement payments of €11 million (2012: €nil million) were made in respect of some of the Group’s schemes in the Eurozone (€7 million) 
and Switzerland (€4 million).

Split of scheme liabilities - funded and unfunded

Funded defined benefit pension schemes

(999)

(1,009)

(723)

(705)

(722)

(760)

(219)

(260)

(2,663)

(2,734)

Unfunded defined benefit pension schemes

(40)

(39)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(7)

(7)

(47)

(46)

Total - defined benefit pension schemes

(1,039)

(1,048)

(723)

(705)

(722)

(760)

(226)

(267)

(2,710)

(2,780)

Post-retirement healthcare obligations (unfunded)

Long-term service commitments (unfunded)

 -   

(6)

 -   

(6)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

(5)

 -   

(5)

(3)

 -   

(4)

 -   

(3)

(11)

(4)

(11)

Actuarial value of liabilities (present value)

(1,045)

(1,054)

(723)

(705)

(727)

(765)

(229)

(271)

(2,724)

(2,795)

Sensitivity analysis
The impact of a movement (as indicated below) in the principal actuarial assumptions would be as follows:

Britain and
Northern 

Eurozone
2013
€m

Ireland Switzerland
2013
€m

2013
€m

United  
States
2013
€m

Total  
Group
2013
€m

Scheme liabilities at 31 December 2013

(1,045)

(723)

(727)

(229)

(2,724)

Revised liabilities

Discount rate

Inflation rate

Decrease by 0.25%

Increase by 0.25%

Life expectancy

Increase by 1 year 

(1,088)

(1,086)

(1,072)

(759)

(750)

(745)

(757)

(727)

(741)

(236)

(229)

(234)

(2,840)

(2,792)

(2,792)

The above sensitivity analysis is derived through changing the individual assumption while holding all other assumptions constant.

138  CRH

28. Retirement Benefit Obligations | continued

Split of scheme assets

Eurozone

2013
€m

2012
€m

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
€m

2013
€m

Switzerland
2013
€m

2012
€m

United States
2012
2013
€m
€m

Total Group
2013
€m

2012
€m

Investments quoted in active markets

Equity instruments:

- Developed markets

- Emerging markets

Debt instruments:

- Non Government debt instruments

- Government debt instruments

Property

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment funds

Assets held by insurance company

Unquoted investments

Property

Cash and cash equivalents

Investment funds

Assets held by insurance company

Total

 262 

 12 

 29 

 390 

 29 

 47 

 12 

 -   

 2 

 4 

 -   

 3 

 343 

 10 

 26 

 220 

 27 

 72 

 -   

 -   

 2 

 4 

 -   

 6 

 340 

 53 

 294 

 39 

 229 

 190 

 -   

 -   

 139 

 137 

 210 

 176 

 69 

 43 

 72 

 41 

 1 

 9 

 -   

 -   

 2 

 6 

 -   

 7 

 5 

 -   

-

 1 

 -   

 1 

 58 

 68 

 2 

 -   

 5 

 68 

 31 

 -   

 12 

 683 

 48 

 67 

 2 

 -   

 4 

 66 

 89 

 -   

 19 

 661 

 92 

 -   

 26 

 51 

 -   

 4 

 6 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 91 

 -   

 21 

 50 

 -   

 3 

 8 

 1 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 923 

 65 

 404 

 568 

 140 

 54 

 27 

 5 

 70 

 37 

 6 

 15 

 918 

 49 

 360 

 390 

 135 

 84 

 13 

 5 

 68 

 94 

 -   

 26 

 179 

 174 

 2,314 

 2,142 

 790 

 710 

 662 

 597 

Actuarial valuations - funding requirements and future cash flows

In accordance with statutory requirements in Ireland and Britain (minimum funding requirements), additional annual contributions and lump-sum payments are 
required to certain of the schemes in place in those jurisdictions. The funding requirements in relation to the Group’s defined benefit schemes are assessed in 
accordance with the advice of independent and qualified actuaries and valuations are prepared in this regard either annually, where local requirements mandate 
that this be done, or at triennial intervals at a maximum in all other cases. In Ireland and Britain, either the attained age or projected unit credit methods are used 
in the valuations. In the Netherlands and Switzerland, the actuarial valuations reflect the current unit method, while the valuations are performed in accordance 
with the projected unit credit methodology in Germany. In the United States, valuations are performed using a variety of actuarial cost methodologies - current 
unit, projected unit and aggregate cost. The dates of the actuarial valuations range from December 2010 to December 2013. 

In general, actuarial valuations are not available for public inspection; however, the results of valuations are advised to the members of the various schemes.

The maturity profile of the Group’s contracted payments (on a discounted basis) to certain schemes in the Eurozone (Ireland) and Britain and Northern Ireland is as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

Eurozone

2013
€m

2012
€m

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012
€m

2013
€m

Total Group
2013
€m

2012
€m

 18 
 17 
 16 
 16 
 15 
 -   
 82 

 18 
 17 
 16 
 16 
 15 
 15 
 97 

 7 
 7 
 7 
 6 
 6 
 47 
 80 

 18 
 7 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 41 
 84 

 25 
 24 
 23 
 22 
 21 
 47 
 162 

 36 
 24 
 22 
 22 
 21 
 56 
 181 

Employer  contributions  payable  in  the  2014  financial  year  including  minimum  funding  payments  (expressed  using  year-end  exchange  rates  for  2013)  are 
estimated at €115 million.

Average duration and scheme composition

Average duration of defined benefit obligation (years)

15.9

16.9

18.1

20.8

16.0

16.0

13.3

13.2

Eurozone

2013

2012

Britain and
Northern Ireland
2012

2013

Switzerland
2013

2012

United States
2012
2013

Allocation of defined benefit obligation by participant:

Active plan participants

Deferred plan participants

Retirees

39%

20%

41%

40%

20%

40%

27%

34%

39%

28%

34%

38%

86%

87%

 -   

 -   

14%

13%

36%

30%

34%

38%

30%

32%

CRH  139

 
29. Share Capital and Reserves

Equity Share Capital

Authorised
At 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 (€m)

2013

2012

Ordinary
Shares of
€0.32 each (i)

Income
Shares of
€0.02 each (ii)

Ordinary  
Shares of 
€0.32 each (i)

Income  
Shares of 
€0.02 each (ii)

 320 

 20 

 320 

 20 

Number of Shares at 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 ('000s)

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

1,000,000

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
At 1 January (€m)
Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (iii)
At 31 December (€m)

 235 
 2 
 237 

 14 
 -   
 14 

 233 
 2 
 235 

 14 
 -   
 14 

The movement in the number of shares (expressed in ‘000s) during the financial year was as follows:

At 1 January
Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (iii)
At 31 December

733,821
5,410
739,231

733,821
5,410
739,231

727,897
5,924
733,821

727,897
5,924
733,821

(i)  The Ordinary Shares represent 93.68% of the total issued share capital.

(ii)  The  Income  Shares,  which  represent  5.85%  of  the  total  issued  share  capital,  were  created  on  29  August  1988  for  the  express  purpose  of  giving 
shareholders the choice of receiving dividends on either their Ordinary Shares or on their Income Shares (by notice of election to the Company). The 
Income Shares carried a different tax credit to the Ordinary Shares. The creation of the Income Shares was achieved by the allotment of fully paid Income 
Shares to each shareholder equal to his/her holding of Ordinary Shares but the shareholder is not entitled to an Income Share certificate, as a certificate 
for Ordinary Shares is deemed to include an equal number of Income Shares and a shareholder may only sell, transfer or transmit Income Shares with 
an equivalent number of Ordinary Shares. Income Shares carry no voting rights. Due to changes in Irish tax legislation since the creation of the Income 
Shares, dividends on the Company’s shares no longer carry a tax credit. As elections made by shareholders to receive dividends on their holding of 
Income Shares were no longer relevant, the Articles of Association were amended on 8 May 2002 to cancel such elections. 

Share schemes 
The  aggregate  number  of  shares  which  may  be  committed  for  issue  in  respect  of  any  share  option  scheme,  savings-related  share  option  scheme,  share 
participation scheme, performance share plan or any subsequent option scheme or share plan, may not exceed 10% of the issued Ordinary share capital from 
time to time.

Share option schemes
Details  of  share  options  granted  under  the  Company’s  share  option  schemes  and  the  terms  attaching  thereto  are  provided  in  note  8  to  the  financial 
statements and on page 68 of the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

Options exercised during the year (satisfied by the reissue of Treasury Shares)

Number of Shares

2013

2012

1,310,187

1,163,827

Share participation schemes
As at 31 December 2013, 7,386,047 (2012: 7,272,632) Ordinary Shares had been appropriated to participation schemes. In the financial year ended 31 
December 2013, the appropriation of 113,415 shares was satisfied by the reissue of Treasury Shares (2012: 154,045). The Ordinary Shares appropriated 
pursuant to these schemes were issued at market value on the dates of appropriation. The shares issued pursuant to these schemes are excluded from the 
scope of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment and are hence not factored into the expense computation and the associated disclosures in note 8.

Restricted Share Plan
During the year, the Employee Benefit Trust purchased 391,250 shares on behalf of CRH plc in respect of awards under the 2013 Restricted Share Plan.

The nominal value of own shares, on which dividends have been waived by the Trustees of the 2013 Restricted Share Plan, amounted to €0.1 million at  
31 December 2013.

(iii) Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends:

May 2013 - Final 2012 dividend (2012: Final 2011 dividend)
October 2013 - Interim 2013 dividend (2012: Interim 2012 dividend)
Total

Number of Shares

Price per Share

2013

2012

2013

2012

2,011,165
3,398,992
5,410,157

2,653,368
3,270,169
5,923,537

€17.01
€15.79

€15.40
€14.27

140  CRH

29. Share Capital and Reserves | continued

Preference Share Capital

Authorised
At 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013

Allotted, called-up and fully paid
At 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013

5% Cumulative
Preference Shares of
€1.27 each (iv)

7% ‘A’ Cumulative
Preference Shares of
€1.27 each (v)

Number of 
Shares (‘000s)

 150 

 50 

€m

 -   

 -   

Number of  
Shares (‘000s)

 872 

 872 

€m

 1 

 1 

There was no movement in the number of cumulative preference shares in either the current or the prior year.

(iv)  The holders of the 5% Cumulative Preference Shares are entitled to a fixed cumulative preference dividend at a rate of 5% per annum and priority in a 
winding-up to repayment of capital, but have no further right to participate in profits or assets and are not entitled to be present or vote at general 
meetings unless their dividend is in arrears. Dividends on the 5% Cumulative Preference Shares are payable half-yearly on 15 April and 15 October in 
each year. The 5% Cumulative Preference Shares represent 0.03% of the total issued share capital.

(v)   The holders of the 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares are entitled to a fixed cumulative preference dividend at a rate of 7% per annum, and subject 
to  the  rights  of  the  holders  of  the  5%  Cumulative  Preference  Shares,  priority  in  a  winding-up  to  repayment  of  capital,  but  have  no  further  right  to 
participate in profits or assets and are not entitled to be present or vote at general meetings unless their dividend is in arrears or unless the business of 
the meeting includes certain matters, which are specified in the Articles of Association. Dividends on the 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares are 
payable half-yearly on 5 April and 5 October in each year. The 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares represent 0.44% of the total issued share capital.

Treasury Shares/own shares

At 1 January
Treasury Shares/own shares reissued
Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares)
At 31 December 

2013
€m

(146)
 34 
(6)
(118)

2012
€m

(183)
 37 
 -   
(146)

As at the balance sheet date, the total number of Treasury Shares held was 5,951,104 (2012: 7,374,706); the nominal value of these shares was €2 million (2012: 
€3 million). During the year ended 31 December 2013, 1,423,602 shares were reissued (2012: 1,317,872) to satisfy exercises and appropriations under the 
Group’s  share  option  and  share  participation  schemes.  These  reissued  Treasury  Shares  were  previously  purchased  at  an  average  price  of  €24.08  (2012: 
€24.11). No Treasury Shares were purchased during 2013 or 2012.

Reconciliation of shares issued to net proceeds 

Shares issued at nominal amount:
- scrip shares issued in lieu of cash dividends
Premium on shares issued
Total value of shares issued
Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends (note 12)
Net proceeds from issue of shares

Share Premium

At 1 January
Premium arising on shares issued
At 31 December

30. Commitments under Operating and Finance Leases

Operating leases
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 December are as follows:

Within one year
After one year but not more than five years
More than five years

Finance leases

Future minimum lease payments under finance leases are not material for the Group.

 2 
 86 
 88 
(88)
 -   

 2 
 86 
 88 
(88)
 -   

 4,133 
 86 
 4,219 

4,047
86
4,133

2013
€m

 301 
 596 
 357 
 1,254 

2012
€m

 270 
 653 
 398 
 1,321 

CRH  141

(iii) Issue of scrip shares in lieu of cash dividends:

May 2013 - Final 2012 dividend (2012: Final 2011 dividend)

October 2013 - Interim 2013 dividend (2012: Interim 2012 dividend)

Total

Number of Shares

Price per Share

2013

2012

2013

2012

2,011,165

3,398,992

5,410,157

2,653,368

3,270,169

5,923,537

€17.01

€15.79

€15.40

€14.27

 
 
31. Business Combinations

The principal acquisitions completed during the year ended 31 December 2013 by reportable segment, together with the completion dates, are detailed 
below; these transactions entailed the acquisition of an effective 100% stake except where indicated to the contrary:

Europe Materials: Spain: Cementos Lemona (99%, 25 February); United Kingdom: Southern Cement (25 February), assets of Cemex in Northern Ireland 
(13 May) and the cement import facilities of Dudman (31 May); Ukraine: Mykolaiv Cement (99%, 25 September).

Europe Products: Belgium: assets of Echo NV (24 April). 

Europe Distribution: Belgium: Halschoor (4 January); the Netherlands: Van Buren (9 January); France: 4 Wolseley locations (1 October).

Americas  Materials: Colorado:  selected  assets  of  Lafarge  in  the  Western  Slopes  (3  July);  Michigan:  Rockwood  quarry  (10  May)  and  assets  of  Waterland 
Trucking Service (10 May); Mississippi: assets of Rogers Group (3 July); New York: selected assets of Dutchess Quarry and Supply (18 March); Oregon: selected 
assets of Cemex (15 February) and Turner Gravel (18 November); Pennsylvania: Miller reserves (26 March); West Virginia: Sugarland reserves (17 May).

Americas Products: Canada: Expocrete (18 March); North and South Carolina: concrete product assets of Cemex (8 April); Pennsylvania: assets of Modern 
Precast Concrete (25 January); Wisconsin: Harmony Outdoor Living (21 March). 

Americas Distribution: Florida: assets of Fogleman Builders Supply (3 October); Maryland: assets of Eldersburg Supply (1 April, also Washington DC); 
Texas: certain assets of JEH Company (18 September). 

The identifiable net assets acquired, including adjustments to provisional fair values, were as follows:

2013
€m

2012
€m

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Equity accounted investments
Deferred income tax assets 
Total non-current assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables (i)
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Provisions for liabilities (stated at net present cost)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings and finance leases
Current income tax liabilities
Deferred income tax liabilities
Total liabilities

Total identifiable net assets at fair value
Goodwill arising on acquisition (ii)
Excess of fair value of identifiable net assets over consideration paid (ii)
Non-controlling interests*
Total consideration 

Consideration satisfied by:
Cash payments
Asset exchange (note 5) 
Deferred consideration (stated at net present cost)
Contingent consideration (iii)
Total consideration

*  Measured at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

Net cash outflow arising on acquisition

Cash consideration

Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired

Total

142  CRH

 342 
 39 
 2 
 -   
 383 

 41 
 53 
 11 
 105 

(80)
(14)
(44)
 -   
(8)
(146)

 342 
 169 
(2)
(1)
 508 

 347 
 144 
 4 
 13 
 508 

 347 

(11)

 336 

 253 
 65 
 -   
 10 
 328 

 98 
 103 
 19 
 220 

(57)
(1)
(42)
(3)
(19)
(122)

 426 
 162 
 -   
-
 588 

 437 
 -   
 75 
 76 
 588 

 437 

(19)

 418 

31. Business Combinations | continued

None of the acquisitions completed during the financial year were considered sufficiently material to warrant separate disclosure of the attributable fair values. 
The  initial  assignment  of  fair  values  to  identifiable  net  assets  acquired  has  been  performed  on  a  provisional  basis  in  respect  of  certain  acquisitions;  any 
amendments  to  these  fair  values  made  during  the  subsequent  reporting  window  (within  the  measurement  period  imposed  by  IFRS  3)  will  be  subject  to 
subsequent disclosure.  

(i)  The gross contractual value of trade and other receivables as at the respective dates of acquisition amounted to €57 million (2012: €106 million). The fair 
value of these receivables is €53 million (all of which is expected to be recoverable) (2012: €103 million) and is inclusive of an aggregate allowance for 
impairment of €4 million (2012: €3 million).

(ii)  The  principal  factor  contributing  to  the  recognition  of  goodwill  on  acquisitions  entered  into  by  the  Group  is  the  realisation  of  cost  savings  and  other 
synergies  with  existing  entities  in  the  Group  which  do  not  qualify  for  separate  recognition  as  intangible  assets.  Due  to  the  asset-intensive  nature  of 
operations in the Materials business segments, no significant intangible assets are recognised on business combinations in these segments. €49 million of 
the goodwill recognised in respect of acquisitions completed in 2013 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes (2012: €106 million). An excess of fair 
value of identifiable net assets over consideration of €2 million arose during the year and is included in operating costs in note 3.

(iii)  The fair value of contingent consideration recognised is €13 million (including adjustments to prior year acquisitions of €11 million). On an undiscounted 
basis, the corresponding future payments on current year acquisitions for which the Group may be liable range from €nil million to a maximum of €7 million. 

Acquisition-related costs amounting to €2 million (2012: €4 million) have been included in operating costs in the Consolidated Income Statement (note 3).

No contingent liabilities were recognised on the acquisitions completed during the financial year or the prior financial years.

The  carrying  amounts  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  determined  in  accordance  with  IFRS  before  completion  of  the  acquisition,  together  with  the 
adjustments made to those carrying values to arrive at the fair values disclosed above, were as follows:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Liabilities

Identifiable net assets acquired 

Non-controlling interests

Goodwill arising on acquisition (see (ii) above)

Total consideration 

Book  
values
€m

Fair value 
adjustments
€m

Accounting 
policy  
alignments
€m

Adjustments 
to provisional 
fair values
€m

 257 

 130 

(107)

 280 

(2)

 224 

 502 

 106 

(12)

(34)

 60 

 1 

(61)

 -   

 -   

(2)

 -   

(2)

 -   

 2 

 -   

 20 

(11)

(5)

 4 

 -   

 2 

 6 

Fair  
value
€m

 383 

 105 

(146)

 342 

(1)

 167 

 508 

The adjustments to provisional fair values above relate principally to our acquisition of Trap Rock Industries in December 2012. 

The following table analyses the 25 acquisitions (2012: 32 acquisitions) by reportable segment and provides details of the goodwill and consideration figures 
arising in each of those segments:

Reportable segments

Europe Materials

Europe Products

Europe Distribution

Americas Materials

Americas Products

Americas Distribution

Group totals

Adjustments to provisional fair values of prior year acquisitions

Total consideration

Number of  
Acquisitions

2013

2012

 5 

 1 

 3 

 9 

 4 

 3 

 25 

 2 

 4 

 3 

 14 

 9 

 -   

 32 

Goodwill

Consideration

2013
€m

 80 

 -   

 10 

 19 

 48 

 8 

 165 

2012
€m

 26 

 68 

 8 

 34 

 14 

 -   

 150 

2013
€m

 256 

 9 

 15 

 76 

 124 

 22 

 502 

6 

508

2012
€m

 58 

 151 

 40 

 226 

 112 

 -   

 587 

1 

588

CRH  143

 
31. Business Combinations | continued

The post-acquisition impact of acquisitions completed during the year on the Group’s result for the financial year was as follows:

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating costs

Group operating profit

Profit on disposals

Profit before finance costs

Finance costs (net)

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Group profit for the financial year

2013
€m

 306 

(232)

 74 

(63)

 11 

 -   

 11 

(3)

 8 

(2)

 6 

2012
€m

 270 

(201)

 69 

(56)

 13 

 -   

 13 

(2)

 11 

(4)

 7 

The revenue and result of the Group for the financial year determined in accordance with IFRS as though the acquisitions effected during the year had been at 
the beginning of the year would have been as follows:

Revenue

Group (loss)/profit for the financial year

Pro-forma 2013

2013  
acquisitions
€m

CRH Group excluding 
2013 acquisitions
€m

Pro-forma 
consolidated 
 Group
€m

Pro-forma 
2012
€m

 434 

 1 

 17,725 

 18,159 

(301)

(300)

19,054

571

There  have  been  no  acquisitions  completed  subsequent  to  the  balance  sheet  date  which  would  be  individually  material  to  the  Group,  thereby  requiring 
disclosure  under  either  IFRS  3  or  IAS  10  Events  after  the  Balance  Sheet  Date.  Development  updates,  giving  details  of  acquisitions  which  do  not  require 
separate disclosure on the grounds of materiality, are published in January and July each year.

144  CRH

32. Related Party Transactions

The principal related party relationships requiring disclosure in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Group under IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures pertain 
to: the existence of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates; transactions with these entities entered into by the Group; and the identification and compensation 
of key management personnel.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of the Company (CRH plc, the ultimate parent) and its subsidiaries, joint ventures and 
associates as documented in the accounting policies on pages 102 to 108. The Group’s principal subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are disclosed on 
pages 154 to 160.

Sales to and purchases from joint ventures are immaterial in 2013 and 2012. Loans extended by the Group to joint ventures and associates (see note 16)  
are  included  in  financial  assets.  Sales  to  and  purchases  from  associates  during  the  financial  year  ended  31  December  2013  amounted  to  €24  million  
(2012: €21 million) and €411 million (2012: €446 million) respectively. Amounts receivable from and payable to equity accounted investments (arising from the 
aforementioned sales and purchases transactions) as at the balance sheet date are included as separate line items in notes 18 and 19 to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements.

Terms and conditions of transactions with subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates
In  general,  the  transfer  pricing  policy  implemented  by  the  Group  across  its  subsidiaries  is  market-based.  Sales  to  and  purchases  from  joint  ventures  and 
associates  are  conducted  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  on  terms  equivalent  to  those  that  prevail  in  arm’s-length  transactions.  The  outstanding 
balances included in receivables and payables as at the balance sheet date in respect of transactions with joint ventures and associates are unsecured and 
settlement arises in cash. No guarantees have been either requested or provided in relation to related party receivables and payables. Loans to joint ventures 
and associates (as disclosed in note 16) are extended on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of business with interest accruing and, in general, 
paid to the Group at predetermined intervals. 

Key management personnel
For the purposes of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24, the term “key management personnel” (i.e. those persons having authority and responsibility for 
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company) comprises the Board of Directors which manages the business and affairs of the Company. 

Key management remuneration amounted to:

Short-term benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments - calculated in accordance with the principles disclosed in note 8
Total

Other than these compensation entitlements, there were no other transactions involving key management personnel.

2013
€m

 7 
 2 
 2 
 11 

2012
€m

 6 
 2 
 2 
 10 

33. Board Approval

The Board of Directors approved and authorised for issue the financial statements on pages 98 to 145 in respect of the year ended 31 December 2013 on  
24 February 2014.

CRH  145

 
Company Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2013

Notes

Fixed assets 
2 Financial assets 

Current assets 

3 Debtors 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Total current assets 

Creditors (amounts falling due within one year)

4 Trade and other creditors 
Bank loans and overdrafts 
Total current liabilities 

2013
€m

2012
€m

 581 

 538 

 6,394 
 175 
 6,569 

 1,453 
 57 
 1,510 

 6,394 
 172 
 6,566 

 1,126 
 2 
 1,128 

Net current assets 

 5,059 

 5,438 

Net assets 

 5,640 

 5,976 

Capital and reserves 
7 Called-up share capital 
7 Preference share capital 
8 Share premium account 
8 Treasury Shares and own shares 
8 Revaluation reserve 
8 Other reserves 
8 Profit and loss account 
Shareholders' funds 

N. Hartery, A. Manifold, Directors

 251 
 1 
 4,223 
(118)
 42 
  187 
1,054 
 5,640 

 249 
 1 
 4,137 
(146)
 42 
 172 
 1,521 
 5,976 

146  CRH

 
Notes to the Company Balance Sheet

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the 
Companies Acts, 1963 to 2013 and Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the Republic of Ireland 
(“Irish  GAAP”).  The  following  paragraphs  describe  the  principal  accounting  policies  under  Irish  GAAP, 
which have been applied consistently.

Operating income and expense
Operating income and expense arises from the Company’s principal activities as a holding company for 
the Group and are accounted for on an accruals basis.

Financial assets
Fixed asset investments, including investments in subsidiaries, are stated at cost (and at valuation at 31 
December 1980 for those investments in existence at that date) less any accumulated impairments and 
are reviewed for impairment if there are indications that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Foreign currencies
The reporting currency of the Company is euro. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the 
rates of exchange ruling at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign 
currencies  are  translated  into  euro  at  the  rates  of  exchange  ruling  at  the  balance  sheet  date,  with  a 
corresponding charge or credit to the profit and loss account.

Share issue expenses and share premium account
Costs of share issues are written off against the premium arising on issues of share capital.

Share-based payments
The Company has applied the requirements of FRS 20 Share-based Payment. 

The accounting policy applicable to share-based payments is consistent with that applied under IFRS 
and is accordingly addressed in detail on pages 105 and 106 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash flow statement
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption afforded by FRS 1 Cash Flow Statements not to 
provide a statement of cash flows.

Treasury Shares and own shares
Treasury Shares
Own equity instruments (i.e. Ordinary Shares) acquired by the Company are deducted from equity and 
presented on the face of the Company Balance Sheet. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on 
the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Company’s Ordinary Shares.

Own shares
Ordinary Shares purchased by the Employee Benefit Trust on behalf of the Company under the terms of 
the Performance Share Plan are recorded as a deduction from equity on the face of the Company Balance 
Sheet.

Dividends
Dividends on Ordinary Shares are recognised as a liability in the Company’s Financial Statements in the 
period in which they are declared by the Company.

CRH  147

 
2. Financial Assets

The Company’s investment in its subsidiaries is as follows:

At 1 January 2013 at cost/valuation
Capital contribution in respect of share-based payments
Additions
At 31 December 2013 at cost/valuation

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 1 January 2012 at cost/valuation
Capital contribution in respect of share-based payments
At 31 December 2012 at cost/valuation

Shares (i)
 €m 

 Other 
 €m 

 371 
 -   
 29 
 400 

 371 
 -   
 371 

 167 
 14 
 -   
 181 

 155 
 12 
 167 

 Total 
 €m 

 538 
 14 
 29 
 581 

 526 
 12 
 538 

(i)  The Company’s investment in shares in its subsidiaries was revalued at 31 December 1980 to reflect the surplus on revaluation of certain property, plant 
and equipment (land and buildings) of subsidiaries. The original historical cost of the shares equated to approximately €9 million. The analysis of the closing 
balance between amounts carried at valuation and at cost is as follows:

At valuation 31 December 1980
At cost post 31 December 1980
Total

2013
 €m 

 47 
 353 
 400 

2012
 €m 

 47 
 324 
 371 

Pursuant to Section 16 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, a full list of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings will be annexed to the 
Company’s Annual Return to be filed in the Companies Registration Office in Ireland.

3. Debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

4. Trade and Other Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

2013
 €m 

2012
 €m 

 6,394 

 6,394 

2013
 €m 

2012
 €m 

 1,453 

 1,126 

5. Auditor’s Remuneration (Memorandum Disclosure)
In  accordance  with  Section  161D  of  the  Companies  Act,  1963,  the  fees  paid  in  2013  to  the  statutory  auditor  for  work  engaged  by  the  parent  company 
comprised audit fees of €20,000 (2012: €20,000) and other assurance services of €60,000 (2012: €108,000).

6. Dividends Proposed (Memorandum Disclosure)
Details in respect of dividends proposed of €323 million (2012: €320 million) are presented in the dividends note (note 12) on page 120 of the notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

7. Called-up Share Capital
Details in respect of called-up share capital, Treasury Shares and own shares are presented in the share capital and reserves note (note 29) on pages 140 and 
141 of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

148  CRH

At 31 December 2013

 252 

 4,223 

(118)

 42 

8. Movement in Shareholders’ Funds

At 1 January 2013

Issue of share capital (net of expenses)

Profit after tax before dividends

Treasury/own shares reissued 

Shares acquired by Employee Benefit Trust (own shares) 

Share option exercises

Share-based payment expense

Dividends (including shares issued in lieu of dividends)

Issued  
share  
capital
€m

 250 

 2 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 4,137 

 86 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

The equivalent disclosure for the prior year is as follows:

At 1 January 2012

Issue of share capital (net of expenses)

Profit after tax before dividends

Treasury/own shares reissued 

Share option exercises

Share-based payment expense

Dividends (including shares issued in lieu of dividends)

 248 

 2 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 4,051 

 86 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

Share
premium
account
€m

Treasury 
Shares/ 
own shares
€m

Revaluation
reserve
€m

Other
reserves
€m

Profit  
and loss  
account
€m

Total 
equity
€m

(146)

 42 

 172 

 1,521 

 5,976 

 -   

 -   

 34 

(6)

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 37 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 15 

 -   

 187 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

 14 

 -   

 172 

 -   

  3 

(34)

 -   

 19 

 -   

 88 

3 

 -  

(6)

19 

 15 

(455)

 1,054 

(455)

 5,640 

 986 

 -   

 1,006 

(37)

 16 

 -   

(450)

 1,521 

 5,302 

88 

1,006 

- 

16  

14

(450)

 5,976 

(183)

 42 

 158 

At 31 December 2012

 250 

 4,137 

(146)

 42 

In accordance with Section 148(8) of the Companies Act, 1963 and Section 7(1A) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986, the Company is availing of the 
exemption from presenting its individual profit and loss account to the Annual General Meeting and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies. The profit for 
the financial year dealt with in the Company Financial Statements amounted to €3 million (2012: €1,006 million).

9. Share-based Payments

The total expense of €15 million (2012: €14 million) reflected in note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements attributable to employee share options and the 
Performance Share Plan has been included as a capital contribution in financial assets (note 2) in addition to any payments to/from subsidiaries.

10. Section 17 Guarantees
Pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  Section  17,  Companies  (Amendment)  Act,  1986,  the  Company  has  guaranteed  the  liabilities  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary 
undertakings and the Oldcastle Finance Company and Oldcastle North America Funding Company general partnerships in the Republic of Ireland for the 
financial  year  ended  31  December  2013  and,  as  a  result,  such  subsidiary  undertakings  and  the  general  partnerships  have  been  exempted  from  the  filing 
provisions of Section 7, Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986 and Regulation 20 of the European Communities (Accounts) Regulations, 1993 respectively.

Details in relation to other guarantees provided by the Company are provided in the interest-bearing loans and borrowings note (note 24) on page 131 of the 
notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

11. Related Party Transactions
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 8 not to disclose transactions with wholly-owned subsidiaries.

12. Approval by Board
The Board of Directors approved and authorised for issue the Company Financial Statements on pages 146 to 149 in respect of the year ended 31 December 
2013 on 24 February 2014.

CRH  149

 
 
Shareholder Information

Dividend payments

An  interim  dividend  of  18.5c  was  paid  in  respect  of  Ordinary  Shares  on  
25 October 2013.

A final dividend of 44c, if approved at the 2014 Annual General Meeting, will 
be paid in respect of Ordinary Shares on 12 May 2014 to shareholders on the 
Register of Members as at the close of business on 7 March 2014. 

Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) must be deducted from dividends paid by an 
Irish resident company, unless a shareholder is entitled to an exemption and 
has  submitted  a  properly  completed  exemption  form  to  the  Company’s 
Registrars, Capita Asset Services (the “Registrars”). DWT applies to dividends 
paid by way of cash or by way of shares under a scrip dividend scheme and 
is deducted at the standard rate of Income Tax (currently 20%). Non-resident 
shareholders  and  certain  Irish  companies,  trusts,  pension  schemes, 
investment  undertakings  and  charities  may  be  entitled  to  claim  exemption 
from DWT. Copies of the exemption form may be obtained from the Registrars. 
Shareholders should note that DWT will be deducted from dividends in cases 
where a properly completed form has not been received by the record date 
for a dividend. Individuals who are resident in Ireland for tax purposes are not 
entitled to an exemption. 

Shareholders who wish to have their dividend paid direct to a bank account, 
by electronic funds transfer, should complete the required dividend mandate 
form  and  submit  it  to  the  Registrars.  A  copy  of  the  required  form  can  
be  obtained  from  the  shareholder  services  section  of  the  CRH  website,  
www.crh.com,  under  “Equity  Investors”.  Alternatively,  shareholders  can 
contact the Registrars to obtain a mandate form (see contact details below). 
Tax vouchers will be sent to the shareholder’s registered address under this 
arrangement. 

Dividends  are  generally  paid  in  euro.  However,  in  order  to  avoid  costs  to 
shareholders, dividends are paid in Sterling and US Dollars to shareholders 
whose  shares  are  not  held  in  the  CREST  system  (see  below)  and  whose 
address, according to the Share Register, is in the UK and the United States 
respectively, unless they require otherwise. 

Dividends in respect  of 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-
yearly on 5 April and 5 October.

Dividends in respect of 5% Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-yearly 
on 15 April and 15 October.

Shareholders have the option of taking their dividend in the form of shares 
under the Company’s Scrip Dividend Scheme. 

CREST 

Transfer of the Company’s shares takes place through the CREST system. 
Shareholders have the choice of holding their shares in electronic form or in 
the form of share certificates.

Where  shares  are  held  in  CREST,  dividends  are  automatically  paid  in  euro 
unless a currency election is made. CREST members should use the facility 
in  CREST  to  make  currency  elections.  Such  elections  must  be  made  in 
respect of entire holdings as partial elections are not permissible. 

Stock Exchange listings

CRH  has  a  premium  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (LSE)  and  a 
secondary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE). The Group’s American 
Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing one Ordinary Share, are listed 
on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  (NYSE).  The  ADSs  are  evidenced  by 
American Depositary Receipts.

150  CRH

Dividend payments

25 October 2013.

An  interim  dividend  of  18.5c  was  paid  in  respect  of  Ordinary  Shares  on  

A final dividend of 44c, if approved at the 2014 Annual General Meeting, will 

be paid in respect of Ordinary Shares on 12 May 2014 to shareholders on the 

Register of Members as at the close of business on 7 March 2014. 

Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) must be deducted from dividends paid by an 

Irish resident company, unless a shareholder is entitled to an exemption and 

has  submitted  a  properly  completed  exemption  form  to  the  Company’s 

Registrars, Capita Asset Services (the “Registrars”). DWT applies to dividends 

paid by way of cash or by way of shares under a scrip dividend scheme and 

is deducted at the standard rate of Income Tax (currently 20%). Non-resident 

shareholders  and  certain  Irish  companies,  trusts,  pension  schemes, 

investment  undertakings  and  charities  may  be  entitled  to  claim  exemption 

from DWT. Copies of the exemption form may be obtained from the Registrars. 

Shareholders should note that DWT will be deducted from dividends in cases 

where a properly completed form has not been received by the record date 

for a dividend. Individuals who are resident in Ireland for tax purposes are not 

entitled to an exemption. 

Shareholders who wish to have their dividend paid direct to a bank account, 

by electronic funds transfer, should complete the required dividend mandate 

form  and  submit  it  to  the  Registrars.  A  copy  of  the  required  form  can  

be  obtained  from  the  shareholder  services  section  of  the  CRH  website,  

www.crh.com,  under  “Equity  Investors”.  Alternatively,  shareholders  can 

contact the Registrars to obtain a mandate form (see contact details below). 

Tax vouchers will be sent to the shareholder’s registered address under this 

arrangement. 

Dividends  are  generally  paid  in  euro.  However,  in  order  to  avoid  costs  to 

shareholders, dividends are paid in Sterling and US Dollars to shareholders 

whose  shares  are  not  held  in  the  CREST  system  (see  below)  and  whose 

address, according to the Share Register, is in the UK and the United States 

respectively, unless they require otherwise. 

Dividends in respect  of 7% ‘A’ Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-

yearly on 5 April and 5 October.

Dividends in respect of 5% Cumulative Preference Shares are paid half-yearly 

on 15 April and 15 October.

Shareholders have the option of taking their dividend in the form of shares 

under the Company’s Scrip Dividend Scheme. 

CREST 

Transfer of the Company’s shares takes place through the CREST system. 

Shareholders have the choice of holding their shares in electronic form or in 

the form of share certificates.

Where  shares  are  held  in  CREST,  dividends  are  automatically  paid  in  euro 

unless a currency election is made. CREST members should use the facility 

in  CREST  to  make  currency  elections.  Such  elections  must  be  made  in 

respect of entire holdings as partial elections are not permissible. 

Stock Exchange listings

CRH  has  a  premium  listing  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  (LSE)  and  a 

secondary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE). The Group’s American 

Depositary Shares (ADSs), each representing one Ordinary Share, are listed 

on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  (NYSE).  The  ADSs  are  evidenced  by 

American Depositary Receipts.

Share price data

Electronic communications

 2013

 2012

€ - ISE Stg£ - LSE

€ - ISE Stg£ - LSE

Share price at 31 December

18.30

Market capitalisation

13.4bn

15.23

11.2bn

15.30

11.1bn

12.48

9.1bn

Share price movement  
during year:

- high

- low

19.30

14.68

16.17

12.15

16.79

12.99

14.09

10.52

Following  the  introduction  of  the  2007  Transparency  Regulations,  and  in 
order to adopt a more environmentally friendly and cost effective approach, 
the Company provides the Annual Report to shareholders electronically via 
the  CRH  website,  www.crh.com,  and  only  sends  a  printed  copy  to  those 
shareholders who specifically request a copy. Shareholders who choose to 
do so can receive other shareholder communications, for example, notices of 
general  meetings  and  shareholder  circulars,  electronically.  However, 
shareholders  will  continue  to  receive  printed  proxy  forms,  dividend 
documentation  and, 
it  appropriate,  other 
the  Company  deems 
documentation  by  post.  Shareholders  can  alter  the  method  by  which  they 
receive communications by contacting the Registrars.

if 

Electronic proxy voting

% of 
total

Shareholders may lodge a proxy form for the 2014 Annual General Meeting 
electronically by accessing the Registrars’ website as described below. 

Shareholdings as at 31 December 2013

Ownership of Ordinary Shares 

Geographic location*

Number of  
shares held
‘000s

North America

United Kingdom

Europe/Other

Retail

Ireland

Treasury

292,448

166,254

122,263

122,240

30,075

5,951

739,231

39.56

22.49

16.54

16.54

4.06

0.81

100

 * This represents a best estimate of the number of shares controlled by fund managers 
resident in the geographic regions indicated. Private shareholders are classified as 
retail above.

Holdings

Number of 
Shareholders

1 - 1,000

1,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 - 1,000,000

Over 1,000,000

Financial calendar

15,033

8,563

1,144

307

95

25,142

% of 
total

Number of 
shares held
‘000s

59.79

34.06

4.55

1.22

0.38

100

5,112

25,026

31,132

106,607

571,354

739,231

% of 
total

0.69

3.39

4.21

14.42

77.29

100

Announcement of final results for 2013

25 February 2014

Ex-dividend date

Record date for dividend

Latest date for receipt of scrip forms

Interim Management Statement

Annual General Meeting

5 March 2014

7 March 2014

24 April 2014

7 May 2014

7 May 2014

Dividend payment date and first day of dealing in 
scrip dividend shares

Announcement of interim results for 2014

Interim Management Statement

12 May 2014

19 August 2014

11 November 2014

Website

The Group’s website, www.crh.com, provides the full text of the Annual and 
Interim Reports, the Annual Report on Form 20-F, which is filed annually with 
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, interim management 
statements  and  copies  of  presentations  to  analysts  and  investors.  News 
releases are made available, in the Media section of the website, immediately 
after release to the Stock Exchanges.

CREST members wishing to appoint a proxy via CREST should refer to the 
CREST Manual and the notes to the Notice of the Annual General Meeting.

Registrars

Enquiries concerning shareholdings should be addressed to the Registrars:

Capita Asset Services 
P.O. Box 7117 
Dublin 2 
Ireland 
Telephone: +353 (0) 1 553 0050 
Fax: +353 (0) 1 224 0700 
Website: www.capitaassetservices.com

Shareholders  with  access  to  the  internet  may  check  their  accounts  by 
accessing  the  Registrars’  website  and  selecting  “Shareholder  Portal 
(Ireland)”. This facility allows shareholders to check their shareholdings and 
dividend payments, register e-mail addresses, appoint proxies electronically 
and download standard forms required to initiate changes in details held by 
the Registrars. Shareholders will need to register for a User ID before using 
some of the services.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

The ADR programme is administered by the Bank of New York Mellon and 
enquiries regarding ADRs should be addressed to:

The Bank of New York Mellon 
P.O. Box 358516 
Pittsburgh 
PA 15252-8516 
U.S.A. 
Telephone: Toll Free Number (United States residents): 1-888-269-2377 
International: +1 201-680-6825 
E-mail: shrrelations@bnymellon.com 
Website: www.bnymellon.com/shareowner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The  Group’s  website  contains  answers  to  questions  frequently  asked  by 
shareholders, 
including  questions  regarding  shareholdings,  dividends 
payments, electronic communications and shareholder rights. The FAQ can 
be accessed in the Investors section of the website under “Equity Investors”.

CRH  151

 
Johanna O’Driscoll
Head of Financial Evaluation 
& Advisory Services

Mariusz Bogacz
Managing Director 
Finland

Management

Executive Directors/
Company Secretary

Senior Group Staff

Albert Manifold
Chief Executive

Maeve Carton 
Finance Director 

Jack Golden 
Organisation Development 
Director

Pat O’Shea 
Group Taxation Director

Henry Morris
Managing Director Europe 
Materials

Anthony Fitzgerald 
Group Treasurer

Mark Towe 
Chief Executive Officer 
Oldcastle, Inc.

Compliance, Sustainability 
& Risk

Europe

Neil Colgan 
Company Secretary

John Byrne 
Head of Internal Audit

Ros O’Shea 
Head of Compliance & 
Ethics

Pat McCleery
Group Sustainability 
Manager

Declan Condren 
Group Strategic Financial 
Risk Manager

Strategy, Innovation, 
Development & HR

Oliver Mahon
Group Performance & Value 
Creation Director

Noel O’Mahony
Group Performance & 
Innovation Director

Philip Wheatley
Group Strategy & 
Development Director

Nicola McCracken
HR Operations Director

Edwin Bouwman
Chief Financial Officer

Heavyside & Lightside 

Ken McKnight
Managing Director 

Heavyside West

Francisco Irazusta
Managing Director

Owen Rowley
Chief Operating Officer

Edwin van den Berg
Managing Director 
Benelux

Séamus Lynch
Managing Director 
Ireland & Spain

Wayne Sheppard
Managing Director 
United Kingdom

Claus Bering
Managing Director 
Denmark

Corporate Communications 
& Investor Relations

Éimear O’Flynn 
Corporate Communications

Frank Heisterkamp 
Head of Investor Relations

Urs Sandmeier
Managing Director 
Switzerland & Germany

Francois Demoulin
Managing Director 
France

Finance, Tax, Treasury

Heavyside East

Alan Connolly
General Manager - Finance

Jim Mintern
Managing Director

Rossa McCann 
Head of Group Financial 
Operations

Declan Maguire
Chief Operating Officer

Paul Barry 
Head of Reporting & 
Financial Control

Mark Lowry
Managing Director
Poland

152  CRH

Distribution North

Taco van Vroonhoven
Chief Operating Officer

Peter Stravers
Managing Director 
Builders Merchants, 
Benelux

Christoph Lehrmann
Managing Director 
Builders Merchants, 
Germany

Tom Beyers
Managing Director 
SHAP & Netherlands 
Roofing

Barry Leonard
Managing Director
Ukraine

Declan Maguire
Managing Director
SE Europe

Jim Mintern
Managing Director
Russia & Israel

Frank Heisterkamp
Managing Director
Turkey

Lightside Products

Distribution South

David Dillon
Managing Director

Khaled Bachir
Chief Operating Officer

Kees-Jan van ‘t Westeinde
Managing Director
Shutters & Awnings

Ulrich Paulmann
Managing Director
Builders Merchants, Austria

Jean-Luc Bernard
Managing Director 
Construction Accessories

Nicolas Weinmann
Managing Director 
Builders Merchants, 
Switzerland

Dennis Gouka
Managing Director
Heras

Hans Welting
Managing Director
Mobile Fencing

Michael Wightman
Managing Director
Cubis                                                                                     

Distribution

Marc St. Nicolaas
Managing Director

Emiel Hopmans
Managing Director
DIY Benelux

Khaled Bachir
Managing Director 
Builders Merchants, France

Asia

Ken McKnight
President

Oliver Mahon 
Country Director 
India

Atul Khosla
Managing Director 
India

Peter Buckley 
Country Director 
China

Ee Ming Wong 
Country Manager 
China

The Americas

Mark Towe
Chief Executive Officer

Michael O’Driscoll
Chief Financial Officer

John Cooney, Jr.
President
New York Region

Sean O’Sullivan
President
Tilcon New Jersey

Gary Hickman
Senior Vice President Tax & 
Risk Management

William Stavola
President
Trap Rock

Michael Lynch
Executive Vice President
Development

Bill Miller
Vice President & General 
Counsel

Mark Schack
Executive Vice President
Talent Management

North America

Central

John Powers
President
Central Division

Ty Nofziger
President
Shelly

Gregg Campbell
President
Michigan Paving & Materials 

Materials

Mid-Atlantic

Randy Lake
Chief Executive Officer 

Charlie Brown
Chief Financial Officer

Pascal Convers
Senior Vice President 
Development

John Keating
President & Chief Operating 
Officer, East

Doug Radabaugh
Chief Financial Officer, East

John Parson
President & Chief Operating 
Officer, West

Jeff Schaffer
Executive Vice President, 
West

Chris Madden
Executive Vice President, 
Fleet Operations

Northeast 

Dan Stover
President
Northeast Division

Christian Zimmermann
President
New England North

Dan Cooperrider
President
Mid-Atlantic Division

Mark Snyder
President
MidA

Willie Crane
President
AMG – North

Kevin Bragg
President
AMG – South 

Southeast

Rob Duke
President 
Southeast Division

David Church
President
Mid-South Region

Northwest

Jim Gauger
President 
Northwest Division 

Craig Mayfield
President
East Region

Ricardo Linares
President 
West Region

Mountain West

Scott Parson
President   
Mountain West Division

Randy Anderson
President
Staker Parson North/Rocky 
Mountain

Tim Ortman
President
Masonry & Hardscapes

Eoin Lehane
President
National Group

Peter Kiley
Executive Vice President 
Strategic Sales

Michael Kurz
President 
Staker Parson South

Rich Umbel
President 
Southwest Region

Bob Rowberry
President
Jack B. Parson

Precast

Dave Steevens
President

Bob Quinn
Chief Administrative Officer

Eric Farinha
Chief Financial Officer

Central West

BuildingEnvelope®

Kirk Randolph
President
Central West Division

Earl Losier
President
KS/MO & OK/AR Regions

Raymond Lane
President
Texas & TN/MS Regions

Craig Lamberty
President
Midwest Region

Ted Hathaway
Chief Executive Officer

Brian Reilly 
Chief Administrative Officer

Jim Avanzini
Chief Operating Officer
Architectural Glass & 
Storefronts

Mary Carol Witry
Chief Operating Officer
Engineered Glazing 
Systems

Products

Distribution

Keith Haas
Chief Executive Officer

Robert Feury, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer

Paul Valentine
Chief Financial Officer

Frank Furia
Chief Financial Officer

Doug Crawford
Vice President Development 
& Strategy

Jamie Kutzer
Chief Administrative Officer

John McLaughlin
President 
Exterior Products

Ron Pilla
President 
Interior Products

Joe Myers 
President
Building Solutions

Architectural Products

Rick Mergens
President

Mike Schaeffer
Chief Financial Officer

South America

Juan Carlos Girotti
Managing Director
CRH Sudamericana &
Canteras Cerro Negro 

Bernardo Alamos
Managing Director
Vidrios Dell Orto & South 
American Glass Group

Federico Ferro
Managing Director
Cormela

CRH  153

 
 
Principal Subsidiary Undertakings as at 31 December 2013

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Materials

Belgium 

Britain & Northern  
Ireland

V V M   N . V.

Cubis 

Northstone (NI) Limited  
(including Farrans, Scott (Toomebridge) 
Limited)

100 Cement transport and trading, readymixed concrete, clinker grinding

100 Supplier of access chambers and ducting products

100 Aggregates, readymixed concrete, mortar, coated macadam, rooftiles, 

building and civil engineering contracting

Finland

Finnsementti Oy

100 Cement

Premier Cement Limited                                        

100 Marketing and distribution of cement

Rudus Oy                                                              

100 Aggregates, readymixed concrete and concrete products

Ireland 

Irish Cement Limited

100 Cement

Clogrennane Lime Limited                                    

100 Burnt and hydrated lime

Roadstone Wood Limited

100 Aggregates, readymixed concrete, mortar, coated macadam, concrete blocks 
and pipes, asphalt, agricultural and chemical limestone and contract surfacing

Netherlands

Cementbouw B.V. 

100 Cement transport and trading, readymixed concrete and aggregates

Poland

Bosta Beton Sp. z o.o.

90.30 Readymixed concrete 

Drogomex Sp. z o.o.*

.
arów S.A.
z
Grupa O

99.94 Asphalt and contract surfacing

100 Cement

Grupa Prefabet S.A.*                                           

100 Concrete products

Masfalt Sp. z o.o.*                                            

100 Asphalt and contract surfacing

O.K.S.M. S.A.                                                     

100 Aggregates

Polbruk S.A.                                                           

100 Readymixed concrete and concrete paving

Trzuskawica S.A.                              

100 Production of lime and lime products

Spain

Beton Catalan S.A.

100 Readymixed concrete 

Cementos Lemona S.A.

98.86 Cement

Switzerland

JURA-Holding AG

100 Cement, aggregates and readymixed concrete

Ukraine 

LLC Cement*

51 Cement and clinker grinding

PJSC Mykolaiv Cement

Podilsky Cement PJSC

99.27 Cement

99.60 Cement

154  CRH

 
Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Materials

Europe Products & Distribution

Austria

Distribution

Belgium

Products

Quester Baustoffhandel GmbH

100 Builders merchants

Douterloigne N.V.

Ergon N.V.

Stradus Aqua N.V.

Oeterbeton N.V.

Prefaco N.V.

Remacle S.A.

Schelfhout N.V.

Plakabeton N.V.

Stradus Infra N.V.

Marlux N.V.

Distribution

Lambrechts N.V.

Sax Sanitair N.V.

100 Concrete floor elements, pavers and blocks

100 Precast concrete and structural elements

100 Concrete paving, sewerage and water treatment

100 Precast concrete

100 Precast concrete structural elements

100 Precast concrete products

100 Precast concrete wall elements

100 Construction accessories

100 Concrete paving and landscaping products

100 Concrete paving and landscaping products

100 Builders merchants

75 Sanitary ware, heating and plumbing

Britain & Northern 
Ireland

Schrauwen Sanitair en Verwarming N.V.

100 Sanitary ware, heating and plumbing

Van Neerbos België N.V.

100 DIY stores

Products

Anchor Bay Construction Products

100 Construction accessories

Ancon Limited

100 Construction accessories

Anderton Concrete Products Limited

100 Precast and pre-stressed concrete products

CRH Fencing & Security Group (UK) Limited

100 Security fencing

Forticrete Limited

Ibstock Brick Limited

100 Concrete masonry products and rooftiles

100 Clay brick manufacturer

Supreme Concrete Limited

100 Concrete fencing, lintels and floorbeams

Security Windows Shutters Limited

100 Physical security, industrial and garage doors, roofing systems

Denmark

Products

Betongruppen RBR A/S

100 Concrete paving manufacturer

CRH Concrete A/S

100 Structural concrete products

France

Products

Béton Moulé Industriel S.A.

99.98 Precast concrete products

Heras Clôture S.A.R.L.

100 Temporary fencing

L’industrielle du Béton S.A.*

100 Structural concrete products

Marlux

100 Concrete paving manufacturer

Plaka Group France S.A.S.

100 Construction accessories

Stradal

Distribution

100 Utility and infrastructural concrete products

CRH Ile de France Distribution

100 Builders merchants

CRH TP Distribution

100 Builders merchants

CRH Normandie Distribution

100 Builders merchants

CRH  155

 
Principal Subsidiary Undertakings | continued

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Products & Distribution continued

Germany

Products

Alulux GmbH

100 Roller shutter and awning systems

CRH Clay Solutions GmbH*

100 Clay brick, pavers and rooftiles

EHL AG

100 Concrete paving and landscape walling products

ERHARDT Markisenbau GmbH

100 Roller shutter and awning systems

Halfen GmbH

Hammerl GmbH

Heras-Adronit GmbH

Reuss-Seifert GmbH

Distribution

BauKing AG

100 Construction accessories

100 Construction accessories

100 Security fencing and access control

100 Construction accessories

100 Builders merchants, DIY stores

Hungary

Products

Andreas Paulsen GmbH

100 Sanitary ware, heating and plumbing

Ferrobeton Beton-és Vasbetonelem gyártó Zrt.

100 Precast concrete structural elements

Ireland

Products

Italy

Products

Plaka Ireland Limited

100 Construction accessories

Halfen S.R.L., Società Unipersonale

100 Construction accessories

Plaka Group S.R.L.

100 Construction accessories

Netherlands

Products

Aluminium Verkoop Zuid B.V.

100 Roller shutter and awning systems

Calduran Kalkzandsteen B.V.

100 Sand-lime bricks and building elements

CRH Kleiwaren Beheer B.V.

100 Clay brick manufacturer

CRH Structural Concrete B.V.

100 Precast concrete structural elements

Dycore B.V.

Heras B.V.

100 Concrete flooring elements

100 Security fencing and perimeter protection

Kooy Baksteencentrum B.V.

100 Clay brick factors

Mavotrans B.V.

100 Construction accessories

Struyk Verwo Groep B.V.

100 Concrete paving products 

Distribution

CRH Bouwmaten B.V.

100 Cash & Carry building materials

CRH Bouwmaterialenhandel B.V.

100 Builders merchants

N.V.B. Ubbens Bouwstoffen B.V.

100 Builders merchants

Royal Roofing Materials B.V.

100 Roofing materials merchant

Stoel van Klaveren Bouwstoffen B.V.

100 Builders merchants

Van Neerbos Bouwmaterialen B.V.

100 Builders merchants

Van Neerbos Bouwmarkten B.V.

100 DIY stores

Wij©k's B.V.

100 Builders merchants

156  CRH

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Products & Distribution continued

Europe Products & Distribution continued

Norway

Poland

Products

Halfen AS

Products

100 Construction accessories

CRH Klinkier Sp. z o.o.

Ergon Poland Sp. z o.o.

100 Clay brick manufacturer

100 Structural concrete products

Romania

Products

CRH Structural Concrete SRL

100 Structural concrete products

Slovakia

Elpreco S.A.

Products

100 Architectural concrete products

Premac, spol. s.r.o.

100 Concrete paving and floor elements

Spain

Products

Plakabeton S.L.U.

100 Construction accessories

Sweden

Products

Switzerland

Products

Heras Stängsel AB

100 Security fencing

Element AG Schweiz

F.J. Aschwanden AG*

Distribution

100 Prefabricated structural concrete elements

100 Construction accessories

BR Bauhandel AG (trading as BauBedarf and 
Richner)

100 Builders merchants, sanitary ware and ceramic tiles

Gétaz Romang Holding AG (trading as Gétaz 
Romang and Miauton)

100 Builders merchants

Regusci Reco S.A. (trading as Regusci and 
Reco) 

100 Builders merchants

CRH  157

 
Principal Subsidiary Undertakings | continued

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Americas Materials

United States

Oldcastle Materials, Inc.

100 Holding company

APAC Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Callanan Industries, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

CPM Development Corporation

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete, pre-stressed concrete and related 

construction activities

Dolomite Products Company, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Eugene Sand Construction, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Evans Construction Company

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Hills Materials Company

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Michigan Paving and Materials Company

100 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities

Mountain Enterprises, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities

OMG Midwest, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Oldcastle Southern Group, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete, aggregates distribution and related 

construction activities

Oldcastle SW Group, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

Pennsy Supply, Inc.

Pike Industries, Inc.

P.J. Keating Company

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

100 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities

Staker & Parson Companies

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

The Shelly Company

Tilcon Connecticut, Inc.

Tilcon New York, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

100 Aggregates, asphalt, readymixed concrete and related construction activities

100 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities

Trap Rock Industries, LLC*

60 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities 

West Virginia Paving, Inc.

100 Aggregates, asphalt and related construction activities

158  CRH

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Americas Materials

Americas Products & Distribution

Argentina

CRH Sudamericana S.A.

100 Holding company

Canteras Cerro Negro S.A.

99.98 Clay rooftiles, wall tiles and floor tiles

Cormela S.A.

Superglass S.A.

100 Clay blocks

100 Fabricated and tempered glass products

Canada

Products

Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® Canada, Inc.

100 Custom fabricated and tempered glass products and curtain wall

Oldcastle Building Products Canada, Inc. 
(trading as Décor Precast, Expocrete Concrete 
Products, Groupe Permacon, Oldcastle 
Enclosure Solutions and Transpavé)

100 Masonry, paving and retaining walls, utility boxes and trenches

Chile

Vidrios Dell Orto, S.A.

99.90 Fabricated and tempered glass products

Comercial Duomo Limitada

99.99 Wholesaler and retailer of specialised building products

United States

Americas Products & Distribution, Inc.                  

100 Holding company 

CRH America, Inc.                                                  

100 Holding company 

Oldcastle, Inc.                                                         

100 Holding company

Products

Oldcastle Architectural, Inc.

100 Holding company

Oldcastle Building Products, Inc.

100 Holding company

Big River Industries, Inc.

Bonsal American, Inc.

Glen-Gery Corporation 

Merchants Metals, Inc.

Meadow Burke, LLC

Oldcastle APG Northeast, Inc.  
(trading principally as Anchor Concrete 
Products and Trenwyth Industries)

Oldcastle APG South, Inc.  
(trading principally as Adams Products, 
Georgia Masonry Supply, Northfield Block 
Company and Oldcastle Coastal)

Oldcastle APG West, Inc.  
(trading principally as Amcor Masonry Products, 
Central Pre-Mix Concrete Products, Texas 
Masonry Products, Miller Rhino Materials, Sierra 
Building Products and Superlite Block)

100 Lightweight aggregates

100 Premixed cement and asphalt products

100 Clay bricks

100 Fabrication and distribution of fencing products

100 Concrete accessories

100 Specialty masonry, hardscape and patio products

100 Specialty masonry, hardscape and patio products

100 Specialty masonry and stone products, hardscape and patio products

Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope®, Inc.

100 Custom fabricated architectural glass

Oldcastle Lawn & Garden, Inc.

100 Patio products, bagged stone, mulch and stone

Oldcastle Precast, Inc.

100 Precast concrete products, concrete pipe, pre-stressed plank and structural 

elements

Oldcastle Surfaces, Inc.

100 Custom fabrication and installation of countertops

Distribution

Oldcastle Distribution, Inc.

100 Holding company

Allied Building Products Corp. 

100 Distribution of roofing, siding and related products, wallboard, metal studs, 

acoustical tile and grid

AMS Holdings, Inc.

100 Distribution of drywall, acoustical ceiling systems, metal studs and commercial 

door solutions

Mahalo Acquisition Corp.  
(trading as G. W. Killebrew)

100 Distribution of wallboard, metal studs, acoustical tile and grid, and other 

related products

CRH  159

 
Principal Equity Accounted Investments as at 31 December 2013

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Materials

China    

India

Ireland

Israel   

Turkey

Jilin Yatai Group Building Materials 
Investment Company Limited*

26 Cement

My Home Industries Limited

50 Cement

Kemek Limited*

50 Commercial explosives

Mashav Initiating and Development Limited 

25 Cement

Denizli Çimento Sanayii T.A.

.

50 Cement and readymixed concrete

Europe Distribution

France

Doras S.A.

Samse S.A.*

56.95 Builders merchants

21.13 Builders merchants and DIY stores

Netherlands

Bouwmaterialenhandel de Schelde B.V.          

50 DIY stores

Portugal

Intergamma B.V.

Modelo Distribuição de Materials de 
Construção S.A.* 

48.57 DIY franchisor

50 DIY stores

Americas Materials

United States

American Cement Company, LLC*

50 Cement

Boxley Aggregates of West Virginia, LLC*

50 Aggregates

Southside Materials, LLC*

50 Aggregates

Cadillac Asphalt, LLC*

Piedmont Asphalt, LLC*

50 Asphalt

50 Asphalt

American Asphalt of West Virginia, LLC*

50 Asphalt and related construction activities

HMA Concrete, LLC*

Buckeye Ready Mix, LLC*

50 Readymixed concrete

45 Readymixed concrete

*  Audited by firms other than Ernst & Young

Pursuant to Section 16 of the Companies Act, 1986, a full list of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings will be annexed to the Company’s 
Annual Return to be filed in the Companies Registration Office in Ireland.

160  CRH

Incorporated and operating in

% held Products and services

Europe Materials

Group Financial Summary
(Figures prepared in accordance with IFRS)

Revenue

EBITDA (as defined)*
Group operating profit
Profit on disposals   

Profit before finance costs
Net finance costs (funding/cash)
Other financial expense
Share of equity accounted investments' profit/(loss)

Profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense

Restated Restated Restated Restated Restated Restated Restated Restated Restated
2012
€m

2009
€m

2011
€m

2010
€m

2008
€m

2006
€m

2007
€m

2005
€m

2004
€m

2013
€m

12,281  13,831  17,836  19,916  19,715  16,278  16,112  17,374  18,084  18,031 

1,656 
1,158 
9 

1,167 
(131)
(3)
59 

1,092 
(220)

1,845 
1,311 
19 

1,330 
(135)
(10)
75 

1,260 
(254)

2,326 
1,724 
36 

1,760 
(221)
(15)
60 

1,584 
(360)

2,704 
1,973 
57 

2,030 
(282)
(7)
138 

1,879 
(441)

2,478 
1,704 
68 

1,772 
(324)
(6)
160 

1,602 
(340)

1,654 
861 
25 

1,487 
630 
54 

1,543 
811 
53 

886 
(263)
(27)
117 

713 
(115)

598 

684 
(211)
(29)
69 

513 
(74)

439 

864 
(223)
(28)
87 

700 
(103)

597 

1,563 
805 
230 

1,035 
(256)
(49)
(84)

646 
(106)

540 

1,475 
100 
26 

126 
(249)
(48)
(44)

(215)
(80)

(295)

Group profit/(loss) for the financial year

872 

1,006 

1,224 

1,438 

1,262 

Employment of capital 
Non-current and current assets 
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Equity accounted investments/other financial assets
Net working capital           

Other liabilities - current and non-current 

(a)
(b)

(c)

5,340 
1,540 
708 
1,471 

6,275 
2,005 
1,126 
1,864 

6,954 
2,713 
1,169 
2,314 

7,503 
3,424 
1,448 
2,326 

7,904 
3,772 
1,969 
2,468 

7,570 
3,754 
2,204 
1,838 

7,939 
3,960 
2,265 
1,799 

8,008 
4,148 
2,107 
2,004 

7,971 
4,267 
1,599 
2,078 

7,539 
3,911 
1,363 
2,016 

(1,012)

(1,226)

(1,070)

(836)

(1,078)

(1,051)

(1,056)

(1,323)

(1,376)

(1,111)

Total

8,047  10,044  12,080  13,865  15,035  14,315  14,907  14,944  14,539  13,718 

Capital and reserves excluding preference share capital
Preference share capital
Non-controlling interests
Net deferred income tax liability
Net debt            

(d)

4,944 
1 
29 
572 
2,501 

6,194 
1 
25 
647 
3,177 

7,062 
1 
31 
742 
4,244 

7,953 
1 
37 
875 
4,999 

8,086 
1 
38 
972 
5,938 

9,636  10,327  10,508  10,552 
1 
36 
1,041 
2,909 

1 
50 
1,149 
3,380 

1 
41 
1,059 
3,335 

1 
41 
1,028 
3,609 

9,661 
1 
24 
1,059 
2,973 

Total

8,047  10,044  12,080  13,865  15,035  14,315  14,907  14,944  14,539  13,718 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

520 

614 

777 

956 

955 

Acquisitions and investments

1,019 

1,298 

2,311 

2,227 

1,072 

Total

1,539 

1,912 

3,088 

3,183 

2,027 

494 
4 

525 
9 

577 
25 

696 
35 

717 
43 

487 

458 

945 

709 
43 

418 

567 

507 

610 

544 

548 

497 

576 

985 

1,117 

1,092 

1,073 

711 
44 

673 
38 

686 
44 

671 
54 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and 
intangible assets

Earnings per share after amortisation of intangible 
assets (cent) 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

14 

41 

102 

21 

28 

650 

(e)

147.5 

168.3 

202.2 

236.9 

210.2 

88.3 

61.3 

82.6 

74.6 

(40.6)

Earnings per share before amortisation of intangible 
assets (cent)
Dividend per share (cent)   
Cash earnings per share (cent) 
Dividend cover (times)      

(e)
(e)
(e), (f)
(g)

Notes to IFRS financial summary data

148.1 
29.76 
239.8 
5.0 

170.0 
35.17 
268.9 
4.8 

206.5 
46.89 
332.0 
4.3 

242.7 
61.31 
372.3 
3.9 

217.4 
62.22 
357.4 
3.4 

96.3 
62.50 
222.9 
1.4 

79.9 
62.50 
203.2 
1.0 

88.6 
62.50 
201.4 
1.3 

80.6 
62.50 
199.8 
1.2 

(33.2)
62.50 
162.4 
n/a

The Group financial summary for 2004 to 2012 has been restated for the impact of IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements. The 2012 results also reflect the change in accounting as 
required by IAS 19 Employee Benefits.

(a)  Represents the sum of equity accounted investments (including assets held for sale included in current assets) and other financial assets.

(b)  Represents the sum of inventories and trade and other receivables (included in current assets) less trade and other payables (included in current liabilities), excluding 

bank advances and cash and liquid investments which are included under net debt (see note (d) below).

(c)  Represents the sum of current income tax liabilities, current and non-current provisions for liabilities, non-current other payables and retirement benefit obligations less 

the sum of current income tax recoverable and non-current other receivables.

(d)  Represents the sum of current and non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings and derivative financial instrument liabilities less the sum of liquid investments, 

cash and cash equivalents and current and non-current derivative financial instrument assets.

(e)  Per share amounts for restated 2004 to 2008 have been restated for the bonus element of the Rights Issue in March 2009.

(f)  Cash earnings per share represents profit attributable to equity holders of the Company less preference dividends paid plus depreciation of property, plant and equipment, 

amortisation of intangible assets and, where applicable, asset impairments divided by the average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding for the year. 

(g)  Represents earnings per Ordinary Share divided by dividends per Ordinary Share.

 *  Defined  as  earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation,  amortisation,  asset  impairment  charges,  profit  on  disposals  and  the  Group’s  share  of  equity  accounted 

investments’ result after tax.

CRH  161

 
Index

A

Accounting policies

Acquisitions Committee

Adoption of new accounting standards (note 1)

American Depositary Receipts

Annual General Meeting

Audit Committee

Auditors (Directors’ Report)

Auditor’s remuneration (note 4)

Auditor’s Report, Independent

B

Balance sheet

- Company

- Consolidated

Board agendas

Board approval of financial statements (note 33)

Board Committees

Board evaluation

Board Meetings

Board of Directors

Board responsibilities

Business combinations  (note 31)

Business model

Business Performance Review

C

Capital and financial risk management (note 22)

Cash and cash equivalents (note 23)

Cash flow, operating

Cash flow statement, Consolidated

Cash flow, summarised

Chairman’s Introduction

Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statement of

Chief Executive’s Introduction

Communications with shareholders

Company Secretary

Compliance and ethics

Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of

Consolidated Financial Statements

Corporate governance report

Cost analysis (note 3)

CREST

D

Debt, Analysis of net (note 21)

Deferred income tax

- Expense (note 11)

- Assets and liabilities (note 27)

162  CRH

102

55

109

151

Depreciation

- Cost analysis (note 3)

- Property, plant and equipment (note 14)

- Segment analysis (note 2)

57, 94

Derivative financial instruments (note 25)

47

94

Directors’ emoluments and interests (note 7)

Directors’ interests in share capital

50, 114

Directors’ remuneration report

96

Directors’ Report

Directors’ responsibilities, Statement of

Directors’ share options

Distribution

Dividend payments (shareholder information)

Dividend per Share

Dividends (note 12)

E

Earnings per Ordinary Share (note 13)

146

99

46

145

46

44

46, 54

Employees, average number (note 6)

37, 42, 94

Employment costs (note 6)

42

End-use

106, 142

- Americas Distribution

10

19

- Americas Materials

- Americas Products

128

107, 130

5, 12, 20

101

20

3

100

7

57

44

55

98

98

40

113

150

- Europe Distribution

- Europe Materials

- Europe Products

Equity accounted investments’ (loss)/profit (note 10)

Exchange rates

F

Finance Committee

Finance costs and finance income (note 9)

Finance Director’s Introduction

Financial assets (note 16)

Financial calendar

Financial statements, Consolidated

Financial summary, Group (2004-2013)

Foreign currency translations

Frequently asked questions

G

Gender diversity

Going concern

127

Governance

Greenhouse gas emissions

113

104, 121

111

107, 132

116

74

59

91

94

73

32

91, 150

5,6

108, 120

120

115

115

23

23

23

22

22

22

118

108

55

118

18

107, 124

151

98

161

108

151

14, 43

58

40

14, 93

Guarantees (note 24; note 10 to Company Balance Sheet )

131, 149

104, 119

104, 135

H

Health and safety

I

Income Statement, Consolidated

Income tax expense (note 11)

Independent auditors’ report

Intangible assets (note 15)

Inventories (note 17)

Investor relations activities

K

Key components of 2013 performance

Key financial figures 2013

KPIs, financial

KPIs, non-financial

L

R

16

Registrars

98

104, 119

96

122

107, 125

57

19

6

12

14

Regulatory information

Related party transactions (note 32)

Remuneration Committee

Reserves (million tonnes)

Retirement benefit obligations (note 28)

Return on net assets

Risk management and internal control

Risks and uncertainties

S

Sector exposure and end-use

Segment information (note 2)

Senior Independent Director

Share-based payments (note 8)

Share capital and reserves (note 29)

Leases, commitments under operating and finance (note 30)

107, 141

Share options

Listings and corporate governance codes

Loans and borrowings, interest-bearing (note 24)

42

- Directors

107, 131

- Employees

M

Management

Materials

Measuring performance

Memorandum and Articles of Association

N

Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee

Notes on Consolidated Financial Statements

Share price data

Shareholder communication

Shareholder information

Shareholdings as at 31 December 2013

Snapshot 2013

Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated

Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

152

24

12

58

52

109-145

Stock Exchange listings

O

Operating costs (note 3)

Operating leases (note 30)

Operating profit disclosures (note 4)

Operational snapshot 2013

Operations Reviews and 2013 results

- Americas Distribution

- Americas Materials

- Americas Products

- Europe Distribution

- Europe Materials

- Europe Products

P

Pensions, retirement benefit obligations (note 28)

Principal equity accounted investments

Principal subsidiary undertakings

Products

Profit on disposals (note 5)

Property, plant and equipment (note 14)

Provisions for liabilities (note 26)

Proxy voting, electronic

113

107, 141

114

22

33, 35

25, 27

29,31

32,34

24, 26

28, 30

136

160

154

28

115

121

134

151

Strategy review

Subsidiary undertakings, principal

Substantial holdings

Sustainability and governance

T

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)

Trade and other payables (note 19)

Trade and other receivables (note 18)

V

Vision and strategy

Volumes, annualised production

- Americas Distribution

- Americas Materials

- Americas Products

- Europe Distribution

- Europe Materials

- Europe Products

W

Website

Working capital and provision for liabilities, movement 
during year (note 20)

151

93

145

54, 59

24, 25

103, 136

5, 12

55

92

22

105, 111

43

105, 116

108, 140

73

116

151

57

150

151

5

100

98

94

150

7

154

56

16

5, 12, 76

126

107, 125

8

23

23

23

22

22

22

57, 151

103, 126

CRH  163

 
 
 
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The International Building
Materials Group

CRH plc

Belgard Castle
Clondalkin
Dublin 22
Ireland

Telephone: +353 1 404 1000
Fax: +353 1 404 1007
E-mail: mail@crh.com

Website: www.crh.com

Registered Office
42 Fitzwilliam Square
Dublin 2
Ireland

Telephone: +353 1 634 4340
Fax: +353 1 676 5013
E-mail: crh42@crh.com

CRH® is a registered  
trade mark of CRH plc.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rudus, CRH’s aggregates business in the Baltic Region, supplied 2.5 million 
tonnes of crushed aggregates to the Finnish and Russian section of the Nord 
Stream natural gas pipeline project. This project connects some of the world’s 
largest natural gas reserves to the European Union gas network, through the 
Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, and provides the capacity to supply more 
than 26 million European households. Pictured here is Port Mussalo in Kotka, 
Finland, with aggregates from CRH’s Rujavuori Quarry, located 17 kilometres 
away, being loaded for delivery to this important project.