French building‑materials giant Saint‑Gobain will press ahead with a major North American expansion despite a US housing slump, trans‑Atlantic trade tensions and political volatility. Chief executive Benoît Bazin told the FT the company aims to lift its North American revenue share to 30 per cent from the current 22 per cent, targeting higher margins outside Europe.

Since 2018 the group has grown its North American slice from 13 per cent to 22 per cent, investing $8bn in acquisitions, capex and R&D, including two listed US firms and recent deals for a North Carolina glass‑fibre plant and a Vancouver concrete‑chemicals business. North America now contributes roughly a third of profits, on par with Europe, and the US is its largest single market.

Even as single‑family starts fell 25 % from 2022 peaks and the 30‑year mortgage rate hit 6.58 per cent, Bazin described the downturn as a “bit of a dip” that merely delays demand. The firm’s local‑production model shields it from tariffs, and its sustainability push — emphasizing durability and resale value — remains attractive to US buyers.