CRH is a building materials company that operates asphalt plants across North America

CRH (formerly Oldcastle Materials) is one of the largest producers of asphalt and aggregates in the United States and Canada. If you own or operate an asphalt plant, you may encounter CRH as a supplier, a competitor, or a potential buyer of your operation. CRH supplies the raw materials and finished asphalt that paving contractors use, and the company also owns and runs its own asphalt production facilities in most regions.

Understanding what CRH does and how it fits into the asphalt supply chain can help you make decisions about sourcing materials, pricing, and whether to work with them or explore other suppliers. CRH's size means they have consistent inventory and broad geographic reach, but it also means their pricing and terms reflect their scale.

Key Takeaways

  • CRH operates asphalt plants and quarries across North America and is one of the largest suppliers of asphalt and aggregates to the paving industry.
  • CRH supplies both raw materials (stone, sand, gravel) and finished hot-mix asphalt to contractors, ready-mix concrete producers, and other construction businesses.
  • CRH's regional operations mean pricing, product specifications, and delivery terms vary by location and local market conditions.
  • CRH plants typically serve a radius of 20 to 40 miles, depending on local competition and transportation costs, so proximity to a CRH facility affects whether they are a practical supplier for your project.

What CRH supplies to asphalt plants and contractors

CRH operates in two main roles: as a supplier of raw materials and as a producer of finished asphalt. If you run an asphalt plant, CRH may be your source for aggregates—the crushed stone, sand, and gravel that make up most of the asphalt mix. CRH quarries these materials and delivers them to your plant by truck or rail, depending on volume and distance.

CRH also produces and sells hot-mix asphalt directly to paving contractors. This finished product leaves a CRH plant ready to lay, so contractors do not need their own production facility. For smaller paving jobs or contractors without a plant, buying finished asphalt from CRH is often cheaper and simpler than producing it themselves.

The company also supplies recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) to plants that blend these materials into new mixes. CRH's size gives them access to large volumes of reclaimed material, which can lower your material costs if your mix design allows for it.

CRH's regional structure and how it affects pricing and service

CRH operates through regional divisions—each with its own plants, quarries, and sales teams. This structure means that pricing, product availability, and delivery terms are set locally, not from a national office. A CRH plant in Pennsylvania will have different pricing and lead times than one in Texas, because local competition, transportation costs, and material availability differ.

When you contact CRH for a quote, you are dealing with the regional operation closest to you. That team knows the local market, understands seasonal demand swings, and can tell you whether they have inventory or need lead time. They also know what other suppliers are in your area and price accordingly.

CRH's size and scale give them advantages in consistency and reliability—they rarely run out of material or shut down unexpectedly. But their regional pricing model means you should always get quotes from local independent suppliers as well, because CRH's price is not always the lowest, especially if you are close to a smaller, locally-owned quarry or plant.

How CRH plants operate and what that means for your supply chain

A typical CRH asphalt plant runs continuously during the paving season (spring through fall in most regions) and may shut down or run at reduced capacity in winter, depending on local weather and demand. The plant receives aggregates from CRH quarries or from third-party suppliers, heats them, mixes them with asphalt cement, and loads the finished product into trucks for delivery.

CRH plants are equipped to handle large volumes and can produce multiple mix designs in a single day. If you need a specific binder grade (like PG 58-28 or PG 76-22) or a particular aggregate gradation, CRH's size means they can usually accommodate it without long delays. However, specialty mixes or very large orders may require advance notice.

Delivery from a CRH plant is typically by truck, and the distance the truck travels affects your cost. Most CRH plants serve a radius of 20 to 40 miles economically; beyond that, transportation costs rise sharply. If you are farther away, a smaller local plant may be more cost-effective, even if their per-ton price is slightly higher.

CRH's role as a buyer of asphalt plants and operations

CRH regularly purchases independent asphalt plants, quarries, and ready-mix concrete operations. If you own a plant and have considered selling, CRH is one of the buyers that may approach you, especially if your plant is in a region where CRH already has operations. CRH's strategy is to consolidate regional markets, so they often target plants in areas where they can integrate operations or eliminate redundancy.

If CRH makes an offer to buy your plant, the terms will reflect the local market, your plant's age and condition, and the volume of business it generates. CRH typically keeps the plant running after purchase, though they may consolidate some functions (like sales or dispatch) with nearby CRH operations. Many plant owners who sell to CRH continue to work for the company in a management or operations role.

Comparing CRH to other asphalt suppliers

CRH is not the only large asphalt supplier—companies like Martin Marietta Materials, Vulcan Materials, and Granite Construction also operate plants across multiple states. Locally, you may have independent suppliers who have been in business for decades and know the market intimately. Each has trade-offs.

Large national suppliers like CRH offer consistency, broad product lines, and reliability. They have the scale to absorb price swings in raw materials and can deliver large volumes on short notice. The downside is that their pricing is often higher than a small local competitor, and they may be less flexible on payment terms or custom specifications.

Independent suppliers often have lower overhead and can undercut CRH on price, especially for standard mixes in high-volume orders. They may also be more willing to negotiate on terms or accommodate last-minute changes. The risk is that a small supplier may have less inventory, longer lead times, or less financial stability if the market turns down.

The best approach is to maintain relationships with both a large supplier (like CRH) and one or two local suppliers. That way, you have options if one supplier has a problem, and you can play pricing against each other to keep costs down.

How to contact CRH and what information they will need

To get a quote from CRH, contact the regional sales office that serves your area. You can find the nearest CRH plant or office on their website by entering your zip code. When you call or email, have the following information ready: the type and grade of asphalt you need (or the aggregate specifications if you are buying raw materials), the volume you need, your delivery address, and your timeline.

CRH will ask about your mix design if you are buying aggregates, or confirm the binder grade and performance grade if you are buying finished asphalt. They will also ask about your payment terms and delivery frequency. If you are a new customer, they may ask for credit references or require a deposit on the first order.

For large or recurring orders, CRH will assign you an account manager who handles pricing, scheduling, and any issues that come up. This relationship makes ordering easier over time and can sometimes lead to better pricing if you commit to regular volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CRH deliver asphalt to my location?

CRH operates plants in most major markets across the United States and Canada, but not everywhere. Use the location finder on CRH's website to see if there is a plant near you. If the nearest plant is more than 40 miles away, transportation costs may make CRH uncompetitive compared to a closer supplier.

What if I need a custom asphalt mix that CRH does not normally produce?

CRH plants can produce custom mixes, but you will need to provide the mix design and may face a longer lead time. Contact the regional sales office with your specifications and ask about feasibility and timeline. Very specialized mixes may require approval from the plant manager.

Can I buy recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) from CRH?

Yes. CRH collects and processes RAP from paving projects and sells it to plants that blend it into new mixes. Availability and pricing vary by region. Contact your local CRH office to ask what RAP products they have in stock and whether your mix design allows for it.

How far in advance do I need to order asphalt from CRH?

For standard mixes during the paving season, CRH can usually deliver within 24 to 48 hours. For large orders, specialty mixes, or during peak season, you may need to order several days ahead. Ask your account manager about lead times for your specific needs.

What happens if CRH raises prices mid-project?

Asphalt prices fluctuate with crude oil and aggregate costs. Most suppliers, including CRH, adjust pricing monthly or quarterly. Your contract or purchase order should specify whether the price is fixed for the order or subject to market adjustment. Confirm this before you commit to a large project.