The $68 billion Irish building materials giant CRH, architect of the $2.1 billion joint bid for cement maker Adbri, will be in fierce competition in some markets with bid partner the Barro family, according to patriarch and billionaire Raymond Barro.

Mr Barro, whose privately held Victorian cement and concrete group operates 20 concrete plants and employs 600 people in Victoria and Queensland, said those interests would remain family owned and remain a competitor to Adbri. The Barros are best known as the name behind pre-mixed concrete brand Pronto.