�鶹��ý

Early industrial era and rise of concrete

�鶹��ý is founded in Holderbank, Switzerland – the country that it still calls home. After a merger, the company starts expanding internationally from the 1920s.

Note: �鶹��ý was originally called 'Holderbank' for much of the 20th century, and derives its modern name from 'Holderbank' and 'Ciment'.

• 1912 – Adolf Gygi founds the company that would become �鶹��ý: “Aargauische Portlandcement-Fabrik Holderbank-Wildegg” in Holderbank, Switzerland, and opens a cement plant. 
   
• 1914 – The company merges with Rheintalische Cementfabrik Rüti, bringing industrialist Ernst Schmidheiny Sr. into the leadership team to initiate the family’s century-long stewardship. 
   
• 1922 – Holderbank begins its international expansion with acquisitions in Western and Southern Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Greece. 
   
• 1942 – Holderbank opens the Technical Center Holderbank, its first research and development center.

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Rapid growth in Switzerland and abroad

Benefitting from a post-war rebound, Holderbank grows rapidly in Switzerland by supplying hydroelectric dams and highways projects, and expands further abroad.

• 1952 – Holderbank expands into North America. 
   
• 1958 – Holderbank is listed on the Zurich and Basel stocks exchanges to raise expansion capital 
   
• 1962 – Holderbank begins operations in Latin America. 
   
• 1970s – Facing severe energy shocks, Holderbank focuses on plant modernization, energy efficiency and kiln fuel conversion. 
   
• 1974 – Holderbank moves into Asia.

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Vertical integration and shift to modern era

Under Thomas Schmidheiny’s tenure as CEO from 1978, �鶹��ý enters its modern era, and develops a vertically integrated model of cement, concrete and aggregates.

• 1980 – Holderbank expands into Spain. 
   
• 1980 – Holderbank develops its focus on aggregates and ready-mix concrete. 
   
• 1990 – Holderbank extends its presence across Eastern Europe, China, India and Southeast Asia.

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Mega projects and industry leadership

�鶹��ý becomes a unified global brand, and focuses strongly on M&A to expand in Asia and Australia, while establishing itself as a global cement and aggregates producer.

• 2001 – Holderbank officially becomes “�鶹��ý Ltd.” following a vote at the Annual General Meeting. 
   
• 2007 – �鶹��ý is named “Leader of the Industry” in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the third consecutive year. 
   
• 2009 – �鶹��ý expands into Australia and becomes the country’s leading supplier of aggregates and ready-mix concrete.

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Rapid urbanization and digitalization

A mega merger shapes �鶹��ý’s modern status, while we began focusing on more sustainable building solutions and laying the groundwork for AI-driven manufacturing. 

• 2010 – �鶹��ý earns early inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Carbon Disclosure Project.
   
• 2015 – �鶹��ý and Lafarge complete their merger to create a new leader in building materials.
   
• 2018 – �鶹��ý launches Strategy 2022 – Building for Growth and pivots towards sustainable building solutions.
   
• 2019 – �鶹��ý launches Plants of Tomorrow, its Industry 4.0 program.

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Leading partner for sustainable construction

�鶹��ý becomes the first in our sector to have a full net-zero pathway approved by SBTi. Under CEO Miljan Gutovic, we are executing our NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.

�鶹��ý’s focus is on growing in the most attractive markets, sustainability driving profitable growth and expanding high-value Building Solutions, underpinned by our culture of performance and value creation.

• 2020 – �鶹��ý launches ECOPact low-carbon concrete globally. 
   
• 2021 – �鶹��ý is officially rebranded as �鶹��ý Ltd. 
   
• 2021 – �鶹��ý becomes the first in its sector with a full net-zero pathway endorsed by SBTi. 
   
• 2023 – �鶹��ý launches ECOCycle circular technology globally. 
   
• 2023 – �鶹��ý opens its �鶹��ý Innovation Hub in Lyon, France. 
   
• 2024 – Miljan Gutovic becomes CEO. 
   
• 2024 – �鶹��ý is one of three companies worldwide to adopt science-based targets for nature. 
   
• 2025 – �鶹��ý launches its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy. 
   
• 2025 – �鶹��ý spins off its North America business to focus on attractive markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 
   
• 2026 – �鶹��ý acquires Xella, a leader in the highly attractive European walling market

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