Page 50 - Sigmaroc Annual-Report 2023

SIGMAROC ANNUAL REPORT 2023 STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategy, development, M&A
During 2022 the Group embarked on an ambitious plan to increase its footprint and market presence via bolt-on M&A, strategic development projects and potential major transactions. In order to facilitate and coordinate this activity a new unit was created, managed by Emmanuel Maes as Chief Acquisition and Development Director.
Emmanuel Maes
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS DIRECTOR
Emmanuel joined SigmaRoc in 2019 and has been instrumental in developing the Group in Europe. Until December 2023, Emmanuel was in charge of the Group’s West region, developing its two platforms from acquisition to full integration. His work included the restructuring of the Aggregates and Dimension stone businesses and the delivery of significant performance uplifts in both. Additionally a concrete focussed platform was established containing 7 operational sites.
Previously Emmanuel served as CEO of Group De Cloedt (2004-2018), a Belgian company specialising in dredging, production and commercialisation of sand, gravel and hardstone, building the business from €40 million to €240 million annual turnover, through organic growth and acquisitions.
The mandate of this unit is threefold. Firstly, coordination of all acquisition and divestment activities; secondly the origination and execution on strategic partnerships and initiatives; thirdly, the preparation of certain businesses for further integration into the Group’s key regions.
The activities of this new unit have been numerous. In the early parts of 2023, it coordinated an ambitious plan to acquire up to 8 bolt-on companies across Europe, 6 of which have since been acquired. It coordinated the disposal of four non-core assets and prepared the ground for further organic expansion and partnership initiatives. Looking ahead the unit will play a pivotal role in the Group’s strategy.
Where a lot of the growth came from pure M&A work in the past, the Group’s new structure and scale will favour further organic investment and development work. Several projects currently undertaken are listed below.
In order to achieve its goals the unit calls upon two further teams - finance and technical teams – within the Group to supplement its capabilities at times when the activities are most intense. In years to come we anticipate the workload of this team will increase and its delivery will be a key driver of the Group’s progress.