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CRH Americas has built its reputation as the top Irish investor in the U.S. largely on physical products — building materials from pavers to pipes.
In 2017, its infrastructure arm handled the stormwater drain system at the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park, a testament to institutional trust in a company that employs nearly 50,000 people across North America.
But it’s services that will lead to the creation of 300 more jobs in metro Atlanta over the next few years for a company known to many for its Oldcastle brand.
CRH is investing $1.7 million in a new location in Roswell (Fulton County) to consolidate key business functions at what will be known as the Finance and Accounting Shared Services Center, set to reach its full headcount by 2029. At that point, CRH will employ 1,400 people across Georgia. A news release circulated by the city of Roswell said the new jobs will boast an average salary of $74,000 per year.
The 1120 Sanctuary Parkway location will be the second major corporate office in the metro for CRH, which already operates a headquarters for its Americas Materials Solutions business out of Dunwoody. Oldcastle APG has offices within the same building at 400 Perimeter Center, and Oldcastle Infrastructure — think large concrete pipes, bridge sections and foundations for oil and gas equipment— has at least four facilities in Georgia.
“Many global businesses find success with shared service hubs in metro Atlanta, thanks in part to our large and growing talent pool in finance and technology,” Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick said in a news release. “With operations in 28 countries, CRH’s presence in Metro Atlanta underscores our region’s international diversity and strong global appeal.”
Irish Consul General Frank Groome, speaking at a Consular Conversation at Miller & Martin PLLC Wednesday, said the CRH investment is proof that Ireland is about more than life sciences and tech in the five-state Southeast region he covers.
Mr. Groome pointed to Smurfit Westrock, the packaging giant formed by the combination of Ireland’s Smurfit Kappa and Atlanta-based Westrock, as well as Kingspan Insulation, both located in Sandy Springs, along with Kerry Group’s large cracker meal facility in Rome, Ga. — a $137 million expansion completed in 2022.
“And on top of that, we’ve got these high-end, advanced tech companies coming in, the bio and life sciences companies, wanting to do more business. And that’s really down to shape and makeup of the Irish economy, so overall it’s a very positive story.”
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