| Our history |
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Holcim has grown from humble beginnings in a Swiss village to become one of the world’s leading cement companies. |
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Holcim delivers its products to customers all over the world. Within almost a century the Group grew from a local producer to a global player. |
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1912 Holcim was founded in 1912 in the village of Holderbank, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. From an early stage it became clear that the domestic market could offer only limited opportunities for expansion. |
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1920's By the early 1920's the company began investing in cement businesses in other European countries. This trend was quickly followed by investments in Egypt, Lebanon and South Africa. |
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1945-1970 In the years following 1945, and particularly in the Fifties and Sixties, a network of Group companies began to develop in North and Latin America. |
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1970's In the 1970's, ventures in the emerging markets of the Asia-Pacific began. |
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1980's In the 1980's, Holcim continued to expand into new markets, including Eastern Europe. A greater focus on aggregates and ready-mixed concrete production strengthened the company’s position as a vertically integrated market leader. |
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1990's A strong focus on core business activities in cement, concrete and aggregates characterized Holcim's activities during the 1990's. Continuing professional development programs for employees, coupled with a best practices policy, ensured challenges were met with creative solutions and company performance was enhanced. Entry into new markets, particularly within Asia, expanded opportunities for the Group. |
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2001 The name of the Group was changed from "Holderbank" Financière Glaris Ltd. to Holcim Ltd in May 2001. |
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2005 In 2005 Holcim entered into a strategic alliance with Gujarat Ambuja Cements to participate in the growth market of India; making a public purchase offer to the shareholders of The Associated Cement Companies (ACC) and Ambuja Cement Eastern. In the same year Holcim acquired Aggregate Industries, thus entering the UK market and strengthening its aggregates and ready-mix concrete businesses in North America. |
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2008 Holcim became the single biggest shareholder of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd., the Group's strategic partner in China, now holding a 39.9 percent stake in the company. Today, Holcim is one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) 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. |
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