Vulcan takes a big bite

While all eyes were glued to the Cemex-Rinker Materials slugfest, no one was watching Vulcan Materials. The industry's number-one aggregates producer just got bigger, announcing plans to buy Florida Rock in a cash and stock deal that values the two construction materials makers at about $4.6 billion. The transaction is expected to close mid-year. Long-time industry veteran and Florida Rock President/CEO John Baker will join Vulcan Materials' board of directors after the deal, and Vice President Tom Baker will become president of Vulcan Materials' new Florida Rock Division headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, according to the rumor mill. Your comment?