Holcim

Holcim is one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel) as well as further activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt including services. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents, and employs some 90,000 people.

Value creation is Holcim's overriding goal. Three distinct strategic thrusts support this goal:

* product focus

* geographic diversification, and

* local management with global standards

All of this rests upon a most important base: the people who work for Holcim. Holcim's strategy is characterized by sustainability - in the sense of long-term profitability in harmony with environmental and social progress.

Holcim's core competences are innovative production and marketing of value-adding products and services. With a market presence on every continent, Holcim is a global company. As part of its growth strategy, the Group has continuously strengthened its position in emerging markets. At the end of 2005, over two thirds of operational capacity was based in emerging markets, generating around 41% of consolidated turnover, and 54% of Group operating results. However, Holcim aims to keep a balanced portfolio between developed industrial and emerging high growth markets.

website:http://www.holcim.com/CORP/EN/page/home.html