Sustainable development
The business place
Holcim is a globally active company. We operate capital-intensive cement plants, produce aggregates such as sand and gravel, and provide market-related products and services.
Creating business value
In view of the importance of locating production close to the market, our business is local. We have deep roots in the communities in which we operate and our Group companies are important contributors to local economies. The value generated is returned to the local economy and multiplied many times via the activities of our suppliers and customers.
Reporting our economic impacts helps us examine the wider societal benefits and costs that arise from our activities. Through our involvement with the WBCSD development focus area, we are also measuring the contribution of business to development.
The diagram below illustrates the value we believe Holcim contributes to the economic health of a region, through both upstream and downstream employment along the value chain, as well as income generation.
Economic impacts along the value chain
Value creation for Holcim and key stakeholders
In addition to wages, in 2010, 65% of Group companies reported providing retirement funds or pension schemes, 92% reported providing health and/or accident insurance, 82% reported providing disability coverage and 92% reported providing maternity/paternity leave. Furthermore, 25% of Group companies reported having a policy for preferring to hire local residents.
(See our Annual Report for information on employee benefits at Group level.)
