sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report

Insulation products are made from mineral wool or foam and
are supplied as panels, rolls, loose wool and cylinders. The main
applications are in the building and renovation industries, for
roof, wall and floor insulation or to reduce energy consumption
and noise. Many countries have tightened up their thermal and
acoustic insulation standards in the construction industry,
providing a springboard for growth in these market segments.
In addition to these building and renovation applications, the
Division also supplies technical insulation solutions for highly
complex industrial facilities, as well as products for niche sectors
such as soil-less (hydroponic) cultivation.
With 10,000 employees worldwide, the Division insulates one in
three houses in Europe and one in five in the United States. It
ranks number one worldwide (1) in mineral-wool insulation
products, and has operations in all five continents, either as a
direct producer or via licensees.
The Insulation Division’s strategic objectives are to:
• Extend Isover’s leadership in mineral wool insulation through
technological innovation and the development of cutting
edge systems and products, particularly for the renovation
market.
• Build a comprehensive insulation offering, by incorporating
the expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) products previously
managed by the Gypsum Division.
• Establish a strong local presence by promoting transfers of
technical, commercial and marketing expertise between
subsidiaries in order to respond more effectively to each
market’s needs.
• Promote the use of mineral-wool insulation as an effective
response to environmental and sustainable building concerns.
• Actively contribute to sustainable development, by enhancing
the environmental performance of its products and
manufacturing facilities.
Exterior Solutions
Exterior Fittings
CertainTeed, the Group’s Exterior Fittings brand, is a leading
player in the US habitat and construction market, with a
comprehensive array of products designed specifically for
American-style homes. The roofing line-up consists of top-ofthe-line
asphalt shingles available in a wide range of styles and
colors, while for exterior walls, CertainTeed offers a broad
selection of easy-to-maintain vinyl and fiber cement siding
that combine beauty and durability. Other exterior products for
the homebuilding and renovation market include vinyl fences,
railings and decks.
CertainTeed also manufactures vinyl pipes and fittings for water
supply and drainage systems, and pipe systems for industrial,
mining, irrigation and pressurized drilling applications.
The Exterior Fittings business’s strategic objectives are to:
• Extend CertainTeed’s leadership of the US market.
• Become the benchmark supplier of innovative construction
products and systems.
• Broaden the product range and develop new distribution
channels.
• Contribute actively to sustainable development by enhancing
the environmental profile of its plants and products.
Industrial Mortars
The Industrial Mortars business, conducted under the Weber®
brand, extended its market leadership in early 2008 with the
acquisition of Maxit. The world’s largest industrial mortar
producer (1) , Weber is also ranked No.1 worldwide for tile
adhesives and grouting, and No.1 in Europe for exterior wall
insulation systems and flooring systems. It is present across four
continents and has production facilities in thirty-five countries.
Industrial Mortars comprises three business lines:
• Industrial mortars, marketed under the Weber global brand
• Expanded clay pellets, mainly sold under the Leca® brand
• Site and plant equipment, supplied through m-tec.
Weber offers a comprehensive line-up of exterior wall
decoration, protection and insulation solutions, products
and services for the residential, commercial and industrial
building and renovation markets.
The mortars are available in a wide range of colors and surface
effects with a choice of technical functions, such as insulation,
repair and damp-proofing of exterior walls. In Europe, the offer
is adapted to each local market, in terms not only of insulating
performance but also of architectural styles and the general
environment.
Weber’s tiling products for the building and renovation markets
represent safe, easy-to-implement solutions based on local
tiling techniques. They comprise cement and resin-based
adhesives and grouting for fixing all types of tiles on all types of
surfaces, and for decorative and technical joints.
STRATEGY AND BUSINESSES
13
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Source Saint-Gobain.
Saint-Gobain - 2008 Annual Report