LafargeHolcim: proposed merger disposals announced
Holcim and Lafarge announce proposed global asset disposals as part of planned merger of equals
LAFARGE and Holcim have today announced a list of proposed asset disposals as part of their planned merger of equals to create LafargeHolcim, the most advanced and innovative group in the building materials industry.
A Divestment Committee was set up by both companies following the announcement of the planned merger on 7 April 2014, with the aim of taking forward the divestment process. It has drawn up a list of proposed asset disposals, to anticipate potential competition authorities’ requirements.
Today’s announcement represents a major part of the total assets that the two companies aim to divest. The two companies are proposing the following disposals:
Europe
- Austria: Lafarge’s Mannersdorf cement plant
- France: Holcim’s assets in metropolitan France, except for its Altkirch cement plant
- and aggregates and ready-mixed concrete sites in the Haut-Rhin market; and Lafarge’s assets on Reunion island, except for its shareholding in Ciments de Bourbon
- Germany: Lafarge’s assets
- Hungary: Holcim’s operating assets
- Romania: Lafarge’s assets
- Serbia: Holcim’s assets
- UK: Lafarge Tarmac assets with the possible exception of one cement plant
The aim is for the future LafargeHolcim group to have a significant and balanced industrial base in Europe – around 20% of its revenues – within its overall global footprint, allowing it to take advantage of the European economic recovery.
Other countries
- Canada: Holcim’s assets
- Mauritius: Holcim’s assets
- The Philippines: the associated companies of Lafarge and Holcim (Lafarge Republic Inc. – LRI and Holcim Philippines Inc.) are exploring the combination of their businesses other than LRI’s Bulacan, Norzagaray and Iligan plants, which are considered to be divested as part of such combination
- Brazil: Holcim and Lafarge will file soon with the Brazilian regulator, CADE, and propose a comprehensive and high-quality package of divestments.
Both companies will continue to consider whether divestments would be necessary where
there might be overlaps or depending on regulatory requirements.
These proposed divestments are subject to review and further discussions with the regulatory authorities, and to the agreement of Lafarge and Holcim’s business partners, where relevant.
The divestment process, which will be completed subject to the closing of the merger between Holcim and Lafarge, will be carried out within the framework of relevant social processes and ongoing dialogue with the employee representatives’ bodies and will be conducted in parallel to discussions with the competition authorities and potential buyers.
Today’s announcement follows the formal signing of the combination agreement, marking the
conclusion of the merger terms announced on 7 April 2014. The combination remains conditional upon the required regulatory and other customary consultations and approvals.
As announced, the closing of the planned merger is expected in the first half of 2015, with the aim of creating the most balanced and diversified portfolio in the industry, operating in 90 countries and delivering superior value for its stakeholders.
