6 - Vicat

6BUSINESS OVERVIEW6.1. Overview of the Group’s businesses6.1. Overview of the group’s businessesThe following diagram shows the physical flow of production and the integration of the Group’s activities.LimestoneWater &AdditivesRaw meal Clinker CementConcreteClayAggregatesPrinting &writing paperPrecastconcreteproductsTransportConstructionchemistryCementThe Group's main businesses [Cement, Concrete & Aggregates]LimestoneRaw materials or semi-finished productsPrinting &writing paperThe Group's complementary businesses [Other Products & Services]Cement : cement is a hydraulic binder which formsa part of the composition of concrete ; its raw materialsare limestone and clay. In contact with water,the cement silicates and aluminates reorganize andform a crystalline structure, which gives the strengthto concrete.Ready-mixed concrete : concrete is obtained bymixing cement, aggregates, water and additives.Depending on the work for which it is intended andthe environment to which it will be exposed, concreteis mixed, dosed and used specifically to meetprecise quality and performance criteria.Aggregates : aggregates are sands and naturalgravels used in the construction of civil engineeringworks, public works and buildings. A significantquantity of these aggregates is used in the manufactureof concrete, with the remainder being intendedfor highway construction.Other Products & Services : the Group also operatesin activities complementary to its three mainbusinesses, which enables it to develop synergies,optimize costs and improve customer service. Theseactivities are transport, construction chemicals, productionof paper and paper bags and prefabricatedconcrete products.As at December 31, 2010, the Group employed 7,369people worldwide, and recorded nearly 58.7 % of itssales outside France.Consolidated sales allocated by business2010 Change2009 2008millions of euros % 2010/2009 millions of euros % millions of euros %Cement 1,033 51.3 + 8.8 % 950 50.1 929 45.2Concrete &AggregatesOther Products& Services716 35.6 + 3.0 % 696 36.7 845 41.1264 13.1 + 5.4 % 250 13.2 283 13.7Total 2,014 100.0 + 6.2 % 1,896 100.0 2,057 100.028 VICAT 2010 registration document