Ciments Français, the international branch of Italcementi Group

Ciments Français is the international branch of Italcementi Group and has a leading or significant market share in many European , Mediterranean and North American countries.

The activity of the Group consists of a range of processes to add value to quarry resources by converting them into high quality products which fulfill the needs of the building and public works sectors.

With its three core products of cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete, Ciments Français operates in a seasonal industry which is subject to changes in both economic and weather conditions. Geographic diversification allows the Group to limit the effects of the resulting fluctuations.

Since 1998, Ciments Français has implemented a policy of external growth and has consolidated its presence in countries, enabling it to develop synergies with existing assets.
This policy has strengthened Ciments Français' market position in countries with strong potential and has improved the balance of revenues between mature and emerging markets to better ensure future growth. Ciments Français has thus increased its Moroccan operations, invested in Thailand and Bulgaria, set up a J-V in India (in 2000) and in Egypt where after having taken a capital stake in 2001, took the control of Suez Cement in April 2005 and via Suez Cement, has acquired the Egyptian producer Asec Cement Company in August 2005.

With its major shareholder ITALCEMENTI, Ciments Français is one of the largest cement players. Italcementi is the fifth largest cement producer in the world.

Ciments Français ranks second on the French stock exchange in terms of market capitalization of cement companies (4.4 billion € as of 31th December 2007).

History

• 1850: First cement plant built at Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France
  
  
• 1861: 10.000 T sold during the year
  
  
• 1881: The company Ciments Français is set up through a merger with another French competitor. Cement production exceeds 100.000 T.
  
  
• 1913: The company owns 5 plants and production is over 400.000 T
  
  
• 1931: With 7 plants, the production reaches a record of 673.000 T prior to the depression years.
  
  
• 1941: the historic plant at Boulogne-sur-Mer is bombed and the head office is transferred to Guerville
  
  
• 1949: Taking part in the post-war reconstruction effort and through further investments and acquisitions, the company operates 11 plants and produces more than 1.000.000 T.
  
  
• 1961: The production level rises over 2.500.000 T
  
  
• 1971: Business combination of Poliet & Chausson's cement activities with Ciments Français which comes out with 23 plants, a 35% market share on the French market and a 10.000.000 T production.
  
  
• 1976: Existing plant capacity increases and international development takes place in Luxembourg and USA.
  
  
• 1991: Investments are made in Belgium (Ciments Belges), in Greece (Halyps) and in Turkey. Cement volume produced stands at 20 million tonnes.
  
  
• 1992: Italcementi acquires 39,8% of the share capital from Ciments Français’ main shareholder PARIBAS. A joint venture is set up in Cyprus.
  
  
• 1998: 3 acquisitions are made in Bulgaria, Thaïland and Kazakhstan. Italcementi owns 65% of Ciments Français’ share capital.
  
  
• 2000-2001: Ciments Français starts operations in India (through a joint venture) and in Egypt by acquiring a stake in national leader Suez Cement. Group’s production reaches 30 million tonnes.
  
  
• 2004-2005: Control of the Egyptian market leader Suez Cement (51%). Acquisition via Suez Cement of the Egyptian cement producer Helwan Cement Ltd. (ex- Asec Cement Company).
  
  
• 2006: The Group strengthens its position in India with the acquisition of the remaining shares of Zuari Cement Ltd and in Egypt in the ready-mixed concrete segment.
  
  
• 2007: The Group further increases its vertical integration in ready-mixed concrete with the acquisition of the Arrow Group (USA), Cambridge (Canada) and Decom SAE (Egypt), its development in the cement segment with the acquisition of Fuping Cement (China) and of 51% stake in Hilal Cement Company (Egypt). The Group aslo strengthens its position in the aggregates business with the purchase of 45% share in Tecno Gravel (Egypt).