National construction materials producer Martin Marietta has acquired the Front Range assets of LaFarge Aggregates and Concrete in exchange for Martin Marietta's limestone aggregates business along the Mississippi River.

Under the asset-exchange agreement, which was completed Dec. 9, Raleigh, N.C.-based Martin Marietta received LaFarge's ready-mix concrete, aggregate and hot mix asphalt and paving assets from Pueblo to Fort Collins, and those in Laramie, Wyo.

Representatives from LaFarge did not return requests for comment.

With the acquisition, Martin Marietta will establish its Rocky Mountain Division, with headquarters in Denver, and will immediately begin relocating employees to Denver to run the operation.

 "We anticipate inheriting several quality people and hope to grow the office over time," said Martin Marietta official Bruce Vaio, who will run the operation.
Vaio also is the president of Martin Mariett'a West Group, under which the Rocky Mountain Division will operate.

Talks between the two companies began several months ago, according to Vaio.
"We're excited about the Northern Colorado market," he said. "There's potential for solid, sustainable