WBB acquire HMC

WATTS Blake Bearne & Co. plc, world leaders in the supply of ball clays for the ceramics industries, have acquired the entire share capital of Hepworth Minerals and Chemicals (Holdings) Ltd, the UK's largest producers of silica sand, for a cash consideration of £83 million.

HMC have extensive mineral reserves and operate in the UK, continental Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. They have 12 operating sites in the UK and produce over 3.6 million tonnes of silica sand a year. In 1999 HMC generated a pre-tax profit of £8.9 million on sales of £78.1 million.

WBB, who last year generated sales of £107 million from operations in 14 countries, are a subsidiary of SCR Sibelco SA, a privately owned Belgian company with over 120 operations in more than 20 countries. Like HMC, Sibelco produce silica sand and other industrial minerals for the glass, ceramics, foundry and chemical markets. They have worldwide sales in excess of £750 million a year.

HMC, who have been renamed Sibelco Minerals and Chemicals Holdings Ltd (SMC), will retain their familiar camel logo.