Robinson Brick Company (“RBC”) is one of the largest independent manufacturers and distributors of high-end masonry products in the United States, offering brick, stone, thin veneers, block and pavers. The company has nationwide distribution via 150 third-party distributors located in 45 states and four Canadian provinces, as well as 17 company-owned Masonry and Design Centers located throughout the intermountain region and Illinois. The company also owns significant reserves of clay and aggregate to support its manufacturing operations.
When RBC’s majority shareholder decided to exit the business, the founders of SLATE acted as the company’s exclusive financial advisor. SLATE’s founders successfully negotiated the sale of RBC to Austrian-based Wienerberger AG, the world’s largest brick manufacturer with 230 production facilities in 24 countries.
Wienerberger was attracted to RBC’s dominance of the high-end market for masonry products and industry leading brand name recognition, which together enable the company to command premium pricing for its products. The founders of SLATE successfully negotiated a valuation premium for the company based on the attraction of these attributes.
To achieve a successful transaction, the founders of SLATE positioned RBC in a manner that fit the strategies of each prospective foreign buyer. The SLATE founders managed the overall logistics of closing a transaction with an international buyer, navigating differences in culture and negotiating styles.
