Holcim set to expand market

MANILA, Philippines - Local cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. plans to expand its market and offer a wider range of construction solutions following its acquisition of Lafarge Republic Inc.’s Star Terminal in Manila and its aggregates business in Rizal.

Holcim Philippines president and CEO Eduardo Sahagun said the purchase is a welcome addition to the company’s business.

“These assets further strengthen our ability to provide products and solutions that help our customers and partners in the construction industry,” he said.

He said Lafarge’s Star Terminal would strengthen Holcim Philippines’ ability to support customers in Metro Manila and South Luzon while the acquisition of Lafarge Republic Aggregates Inc., located in Angono, Rizal, would provide the company an established aggregates business.

 The plant in Angono produces quality of basalt aggregates, an important ingredient of concrete and asphalt.

Holcim Philippines closed the deal Tuesday and paid P3.09 billion for the assets.

The company is a member of the Lafarge Holcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry with 115,000 employees in 90 countries.

Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge S.A. completed their global merger and launched LafargeHolcim on July 15.

The newly formed merged company offers a wide range of value-adding products, innovative services and comprehensive building solutions.

It also seeks to provide construction solutions for important structures for development.

At present, Holcim Philippines produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in 40 kg. bags, tonner bags and in bulk.

It also operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao.