Holcim: The Gold Standard of Sustainability in Construction
Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Headquartered in Switzerland, Holcim’s 60,000 employees’ work spans over 60 countries around the world.
Sustainability is at the heart of Holcim’s operations as it works towards becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by SBTi. The company believes that decarbonising construction and improving living standards go hand in hand as it empowers customers across all regions to build better with less with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet.
With its innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting.
The company has announced record results in 2023, including the impressive achievement of Strategy 2025 two years ahead of plan.
Highlights from the report include:
- Full-year net sales of CHF 27,009m, recurring EBIT of CHF 4,760m and industry-leading recurring EBIT margin of 17.6%
- Free cash flow after leases of CHF 3,705m
- Earnings per share up 9% to CHF 5.42
- Proposed 12% increase in dividend to CHF 2.80 per share
- New share buyback of CHF 1 bn in 2024
Meet the CEO behind the future of sustainable construction
“With record results in 2023, Holcim is stronger than ever, achieving Strategy 2025 two years ahead of plan,” shares Jan Jenisch, Holcim’s Chairman and CEO.
“Thanks to our empowered and accountable performance culture, our 63,448 colleagues worldwide went above and beyond to deliver advanced branded solutions for our customers. Our “multi-billion Swiss franc brands” from ECOPact and Elevate to Fuerte now represent 30 percent of our net sales. We accelerated our leadership in sustainability, reducing our CO2 per net sales by 20% compared to 2022, while making decarbonization a driver of profitable growth and driving fast-paced growth in circular construction, with a 24% increase in recycled construction demolition materials in 2023.”
Jenisch joined Holcim as CEO in 2017, having previously been CEO of Sika AG. Originally from Germany, Jenisch studied in the US and Switzerland, obtaining his MBA from the University of Fribourg in 1993. In 2021, he received a Dr. h.c. for his accomplishments as CEO of two SMI companies. He holds other positions including Member of the Board of Directors of the Global Cement and Concrete Association, Member of the Executive Committee of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Member of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT), Board member of the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce (SJCC) and Non-Executive Director of the privately held Glas Troesch Holding AG, Bützberg, Switzerland.
“Moving our business from volume to value, we have successfully shifted to the most attractive markets with strong growth drivers and margins,” he continues.
“Through our disciplined M&A approach for superior value creation, Holcim delivered 97 value-accretive transactions since 2018, including six major acquisitions in Solutions & Products and 72 bolt-ons, of which 80% were family-owned companies bringing significant synergy upside, while closing 19 divestments.
“Thanks to our broad-based, profitable organic growth, we achieved a superior earnings profile, with industry-leading margins including a recurring EBIT margin of 17.6% and record free cash flow of CHF 3.7 billion. As we move forward in 2024, we are committed to another year of record results and value creation for all of our stakeholders. I sincerely thank all our colleagues around the world for making Holcim the great company it is today.”
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