X-Nico

7 unusual facts about Hanson plc


Beazer

After becoming overburdened with debt it was rescued by Hanson plc in 1991.

While the pathfinder prospectus was still being circulated, Beazer received a rescue bid from Hanson plc.

Goodyear Aerospace

In 1987 it was sold to Loral Corporation for $640 million following a massive restructuring of Goodyear prompted by the hostile takeover attempt by James Goldsmith and the Hanson Trust.

Hanson plc

This included the paper division that was formerly the Allied Paper Corporation.

In 1996 Hanson ended its time as a diversified conglomerate by breaking itself up into four separate listed companies: Hanson plc, Imperial Tobacco, The Energy Group and Millennium Chemicals.

Traded on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index for many years, the company was acquired by a division of German rival HeidelbergCement in August 2007.

HeidelbergCement

The company sold Maxit Group and its 35% share in Vicat Cement to help finance its acquisition of Hanson plc in August 2007.


Doulting

Until 1994 it was operated by Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation (part of Hanson plc since 1989), at which time the landowner terminated the tenancy and now operates the quarry as an independent business.

Doulting Stone Quarry

Until 1994 it was operated by Amalgamated Roadstone Corporation (now part of Hanson plc) but was then bought out as a stand alone business.

Langwathby

At Barbary Plains just outside Edenhall there was formerly a cement block works formerly owned by Hanson plc but now owned by RMC Group, part of Cemex.

Shap Rural

Shapbeck Limestone quarry owned by Hanson plc is in the northern part of the parish though the Hardendale Corus limestone quarry and works and the famous Cemex (formerly RMC) Shap Granite quarries and works are within both Shap Rural and Shap parishes.

The Energy Group

The origins of the business date back to 1990 when Hanson plc acquired Peabody Energy, a US coal business.


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