Çimsa, a global building materials company operating as a subsidiary of Sabancı Holding, has taken a significant step in its global expansion strategy by signing an agreement to acquire 94.7% of Mannok Holdings DAC, a leading building materials producer based in Ireland. Following expansions in Spain and the USA, this agreement marks Çimsa’s third major global initiative in the past three years, reinforcing its commitment to becoming a leading player in the UK and Irish markets and supporting the vision of “Sabancı of the World.”
This move is part of Çimsa’s broader transformation strategy, which it defines as “From Cement to Building Materials,” “From Local to Global,” and “From Grey to Green.” Mannok, a company with over 50 years of experience and a strong presence in the UK and Irish markets, will enhance Çimsa’s product portfolio, diversify its production geography, and strengthen its local and global supply chains.
Following approval from authorities, this acquisition will also contribute to Çimsa’s goal of generating 70% of its revenue in foreign currencies, thereby enhancing its balance sheet quality and enabling the company to make more strategic long-term plans.
“An Opportunity for Growth in the UK and Ireland”
Commenting on the agreement, Burak Orhun, President of Sabancı Holding’s Material Technologies Group, stated: “The acquisition of Mannok, once finalized, will be perfectly aligned with our transformation strategy. It allows us to expand our footprint in the UK and Irish markets, which are critical for our growth. By incorporating Mannok’s advanced product lines, we can offer more diversified and value-added solutions to our customers. This acquisition also supports our goal of transitioning our portfolio from grey to green, in line with our commitment to sustainability.”
“A New Era for Mannok and Its People”
Çimsa CEO Umut Zenar emphasized the potential impact of the acquisition for both companies: “We believe this agreement marks the beginning of a new era for Mannok. We are committed to preserving the existing workforce and creating new employment opportunities in the region to support Mannok’s further growth under the current strong local leadership team. As a company that places talent management at the core of our human resources philosophy, we will implement comprehensive talent development programs for Mannok’s employees. This acquisition opens up a new world for them, integrating them into the Sabancı ecosystem, where they will gain new skills and become part of a broader network under the ‘Sabancı of the World’ vision. Together, we aim to create a brand recognized in the region for its rapid growth, customer-focused solutions, and leadership in innovation, sustainability, and digitalization.”
Leading the Way in Sustainability
Mannok operates in two main business segments: building materials and packaging products. With manufacturing facilities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and a comprehensive sales and distribution network across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain, Mannok is well-positioned as one of the regional leaders in the industry. The company offers a wide range of products, including cement, cement-based products (such as rooftiles, precast, and concrete), insulation materials, and sustainable plastic packaging, employing over 800 people.
Mannok is a prominent regional player in its industry sectors, recognised not only for its production capabilities and geographic advantages, but also for its commitment to sustainability. The company has made significant strides in energy efficiency, saving 59 million kilowatt hours of energy at its grey cement plant by early 2024, thanks to efficiency investments initiated in 2017. Mannok’s sustainability strategy aligns closely with Çimsa’s, including adherence to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and participation in the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). This synergy will enable unified management of emissions across Çimsa’s international operations, furthering the company’s leadership in alternative fuel technology and circular economy practices. Çimsa is setting global standards in alternative fuel usage, and Mannok’s UK recycling expertise will help boost this from 30% to 40% by 2030, positioning the company as a pioneer in the circular economy.
