Lafarge SA was a French industrial company that specialized in cement, construction aggregates, and concrete production. Joseph-Auguste Pavin de Lafarge founded the company in 1833 to exploit limestone quarries in Le Teil, France.
The company grew into one of the world’s largest building materials manufacturers. Lafarge operated cement plants, aggregate quarries, and concrete facilities across multiple continents before merging with Holcim in 2015.
Today, the combined entity operates as Holcim Group, headquartered in Switzerland. The merger created the global leader in cement production with manufacturing capacity exceeding 427 million tonnes annually.
Lafarge History
Lafarge Co-founders
Lafarge Revenue
Holcim Group generated CHF 26.4 billion in net sales during 2024. The company achieved record operating profit exceeding CHF 5 billion for the first time in its history. North America emerged as the largest revenue contributor.
Lafarge Competitors
Lafarge competed with major cement and building materials producers across global markets. The industry features several multinational corporations with operations spanning multiple continents and product categories.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Products |
|---|---|---|
| HeidelbergCement | Germany | Cement, Aggregates |
| CEMEX | Mexico | Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete |
| CRH plc | Ireland | Building Materials |
| Anhui Conch Cement | China | Cement, Clinker |
| UltraTech Cement | India | Cement, White Cement |
| Saint-Gobain | France | Construction Materials |
| Buzzi Unicem | Italy | Cement, Ready-Mix |
| Votorantim Cimentos | Brazil | Cement, Aggregates |
| China National Building Material | China | Cement, Glass Fiber |
| Dangote Cement | Nigeria | Cement |
Lafarge Acquisitions
Lafarge built its global presence through strategic acquisitions spanning more than a century. The company targeted cement plants and aggregate operations in high-growth markets across multiple continents.
The 1997 acquisition of Redland plc marked a turning point in Lafarge’s expansion strategy. This British quarry operator gave Lafarge a strong foothold in European aggregates markets. Two years later, Lafarge entered India by purchasing Tata Steel’s cement business, followed by the Raymond Cement facility in 2001.
The Blue Circle Industries acquisition in 2001 transformed Lafarge into the world’s largest cement producer. Blue Circle ranked as the sixth largest cement manufacturer globally at that time. The deal consolidated Lafarge’s position across key markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In 2006, Lafarge gained full control of its North American operations through a $3 billion tender offer. The following year, the company purchased Orascom Cement Group from Orascom Construction Industries. This Egyptian-based producer operated plants across Africa and the Middle East.
Lafarge continued expanding in Asia with the 2008 acquisition of Larsen and Toubro’s ready-mix concrete business in India. The company also formed joint ventures with Anglo American in the United Kingdom and invested in plants across Hungary, Syria, and Nigeria.
The most significant deal came in 2015 when Lafarge merged with Holcim in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion. The combined company became the undisputed global leader in building materials with operations in over 70 countries.
Lafarge Market Cap
Holcim Group carries a market capitalization of approximately $49.24 billion as of late 2025. The company ranks among the 500 most valuable public companies worldwide. Stock trades on the SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker symbol HOLN.
FAQs
Who founded Lafarge?
Joseph-Auguste Pavin de Lafarge founded the company in 1833 in Le Teil, France, to exploit limestone quarries in the Mont Saint-Victor region.
What happened to Lafarge?
Lafarge merged with Swiss company Holcim on July 10, 2015, creating LafargeHolcim. The combined entity rebranded to Holcim in 2021.
What products did Lafarge manufacture?
Lafarge produced cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, gypsum products, and construction solutions for infrastructure, housing, and commercial projects worldwide.
Where is Holcim headquartered?
Holcim Group is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. The company operates manufacturing facilities and offices in over 70 countries across all continents.
How many employees does Holcim have?
Holcim employs approximately 65,000 people worldwide as of 2024. The workforce operates cement plants, aggregate quarries, and concrete production facilities globally.
