Strong first half for LafargeHolcim
Company gains growth momentum in line with Strategy 2022 – ‘Building for Growth’ initiative
LafargeHolcim have reported a 6.2% increase in net sales to CHF7.4 billion (€5.7 billion) during the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same period last year. Net sales in the first half of 2018 were also up 4.8%, on a like-for-like basis, to CHF13.3 billion (€10.2 billion).
Commenting on the results, Jan Jenisch (pictured), chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim, said: ‘I am very satisfied with the sales growth we achieved in the first half of the year, especially as we gained momentum in the second quarter.
‘Increasing energy prices and cost inflation have been challenging. Operational issues in some markets have been addressed and we expect to deliver increasing margins as we capture the upward trend in demand through the second half of 2018.’
He continued: ‘We remain focused on delivering Strategy 2022 – Building for Growth. Recent bolt-on acquisitions in the US and France demonstrate our focus on capturing the growth opportunities in our most attractive markets. The beneficial effects of simplification and cost reduction are also becoming more visible. We continue to focus on delivering our 2018 targets.’
In a bid to drive top and bottom line growth going forward, LafargeHolcim’s Strategy 2022 – Building for Growth programme is well on track across all regions and segments. The company’s bolt-on acquisitions in France, the UK and US in 2018 represent an important lever for growth in the future.
