Annual Report 2011 Holcim Ltd

Value-Driven
Corporate Management
30
Key success factors
Holcim has a unique global presence. Economically and
ecologically efficient plants and innovative products are
key to creating value for customers and shareholders
and other stakeholders.
Continuity thanks to tried-and-tested strategy
The Group’s strategy is based on three pillars: concentrating
on the core business, geographical diversification
and balancing local business responsibility
and global leadership. These principles have proved
themselves in good and bad economic times alike.
The resolve to respond rapidly and decisively to major
changes in the business environment is a crucial
factor. For example, during the recent, far-reaching
financial crisis and ensuing recession, Holcim succeeded
in achieving significant cost savings in many
mature markets. Despite inflationary pressure and
the commissioning of new capacity, a pivotal objective
for 2011 was to maintain control over those costs
which can be influenced.
Global presence
Holcim operates worldwide in around 70 countries
on all continents, employs a workforce over 80,000
and has production facilities at around 2,200 locations.
This broad-based presence, with cement plants,
aggregates operations, ready-mix concrete and concrete
elements plants, asphalt facilities and preparation
platforms for alternative fuels and raw materials,
plays a decisive part in stabilizing earnings by at
least evening out some cyclical fluctuations in individual
markets. This is confirmed in part by the intact
revenue streams from the growth markets in Asia
and Latin America in 2011.
Net sales per region 2011 2010
Million CHF
Europe 6,122 28.6% 6,535 29.3%
North America 2,987 14.0% 3,240 14.6%
Latin America 3,310 15.5% 3,442 15.5%
Africa Middle East 959 4.5% 1,098 4.9%
Asia Pacific 8,001 37.4% 7,958 35.7%
Net sales mature versus emerging markets
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
48.3%
51.7%
50.8%
49.2%
2007 2008 2009 2010
Emerging markets
Mature markets
52.4%
47.6%
50.8%
49.2%
51.2%
48.8%
2011
In 2011, the emerging markets in eastern and southeastern
Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East
and Asia accounted for 51.2 percent of Group net
sales.