The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, alongside the Tennessee Attorney General, has announced a requirement for CRH and its subsidiary APAC-Tennessee to divest two hot-mix asphalt plants. This action is part of the acquisition of Standard Construction, aimed at addressing antitrust concerns in western Tennessee.

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and state law enforcers in protecting local interests from competitive harm. The partnership with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is seen as a model for effective government action in preserving critical roadway infrastructure.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General G. Charles Beller highlighted the role of state antitrust enforcers in local merger enforcement, noting that their expertise helps to preserve federal resources for larger matters. The enforcement action follows similar consent settlements in California and Texas, focusing on local market competition.

The proposed settlement, filed alongside a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, aims to block APAC’s acquisition of hot-mix asphalt plants from Standard Construction. If approved, the settlement will address concerns that the original transaction would harm competition, resulting in higher prices and lower quality for hot-mix asphalt used by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

APAC and Standard Construction are two of the three leading suppliers of hot-mix asphalt in the region. The divestiture requires them to sell two plants to Dunn Construction of Birmingham, Alabama, ensuring that the Tennessee Department of Transportation and other customers retain competitive options.

CRH plc, a global supplier of building materials, reported global sales of approximately $37.4 billion in 2025, with significant operations in the U.S. Standard Construction Group, Inc. is a privately held company based in Cordova, Tennessee.

The proposed settlement will be published in the Federal Register, allowing for public comments within 60 days. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee will review the comments before making a final judgment.