Our History 1949 - 2008
The
origins of Roadstone go back to the early 1930’s when two young Dublin brothers
Tom and Donal Roche started a sand and gravel haulage business with a Bedford truck
operating from a small yard at Inchicore in the suburbs of West Dublin. Initially
called Roche Brothers it later became the Castle Sand Company and developed steadily
during the 30’s and 40’s. The brothers launched the Company changing the name to
Roadstone on the Irish Stock Exchange in 1949. They were supported in this venture
by John Wood who had his own sand, gravel and quarrying business in County Cork
which later joined with the Roadstone Company.
The early years were not easy for the fledgling Company. The Irish economy and the
construction industry languished during the 1950’s and although Roadstone continued
to expand the Company did go through difficult times. However during the 60’s Ireland
entered a period of rapid economic growth and it was then that Management acquired
key geographic land acquisitions with sound underlying stone reserves in preparation
for the future. Some of these reserves continue to prosper today.
Tom led the engineering and production side of the Company while Donal had the difficult
task of ensuring finance and administration kept pace with growth as financial institutions
and suppliers showed some concern at the frenetic rate of development. At this time
the Company also cultivated key people who brought new professionalism to planning,
development, investment and people skills.
In parallel to this story, the Irish cement industry, previously a state body was
also developing rapidly. By the end of the 60’s Irish Cement had become the largest
industrial Company quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange with Roadstone the third largest.
In 1970 the two Companies merged to become Cement-Roadstone Holdings now known as
CRH plc. World-wide, CRH plc now employs 80,000 people in 27 Countries on 3 Continents
at 3,000 locations. The Group is in the top 4 in its sector in the World and is
listed on the Irish, London and New York stock exchanges.
Tom Roche enjoyed an active retirement developing the East and West link toll bridges
and setting up National Toll Roads. He was planning other projects up until his
passing in 1999 aged 83. Donal passed away 3 years later in 2002 aged 83 also.