Heidelberger Zement Group
Heidelberger Zement was founded in 1873 in Germany and during the years has developed into an international building materials group with activities in more than 40 countries around the world. The Group turnover in 1998 reached 7.7 billion DEM.
Until the end of 1960's Heidelberger Zement was a company operating only in Southern Germany. The first steps abroad were done by participation in the French cement company Vicat S.A. and with an acquisition of the Lehigh Portland Cement Co. in the USA at the end of 1970. Political changes in Eastern Europe brought opportunities for investments in this region which started in 1990. In 1993, by acquisition of S.A. Cimenteries CBR, the largest Belgian cement company with broad international presen 131y2412b ce in Europe, North America, Turkey and China, Heidelberger Zement became one of the world's largest companies in the building materials sector.
Another historical step in international expansion was done in May 1999 by the acquisition of the Scandinavian company Scancem. Scancem introduces new markets for Heidelberger Zement like Northern Europe, Great Britain, Africa and additional regions in North America. The last big acquisition made at the very end of 2000 in Indonesia will increase the Group's sales volume.Indocement has three cement plants with capacities over 16 mn tons.
Heidelberger Zement is now one of the five largest companies in the world having activities in more than 40 countries and 38 000 employees. In 1999 the total sales volumes reached about 46 million tons of cement and a turnover of 6.4 billion EUR
Heidelberger Zement in Central Europe East
Heidelberger Zement started participating during the privatisation process in the Central Europe East countries after the political changes in these countries leading to the transition towards market economy. Heidelberger Zement became the most important foreign investor in the construction material industry.
Investments started in 1989 in Hungary followed by the Czech Republic, Poland and Croatia. The consolidation process was continued by entering the market in Bulgaria and Romania in 1997 and 1998 respectively. The most recent step was done in 2000 by the acquisition of Kakani plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At present, Heidelberger Zement operates in Central Europe East 12 cement plants, 8 lime plants, more than 100 ready-mixed plants, 2 concrete products plants, 70 aggregates plants, 3 dry mortar plants and employs in this region about 12 000 employees.
The Group´s companies offer a large scale of cements, aggregates, ready mixed concrete and concrete products, lime both burned and unburned, dry mortar and insulation materials.
In Romania, Heidelberger Zement is present since 1998 in the production of cement, lime, aggregates and ready mix. In April 1998 the Group acquired its first cement plant in Romania, Moldocim Bicaz (currently owning approximately 85% of the capital), as significant shareholdership in Romcif Fieni. Later, Heidelberger Zement acquired majority in the cement and lime plant Casial Deva.
In Romania, Heidelberger Zement Group employs approximately 2,750 persons. The total investments made by Heidelberger Zement Group in Romania amount to more than 100 mn EURO (including acquisition costs) in 17 companies. Last year, Group sales in Romania were approximately 65 mn EURO, of which more than 50 mn EURO came from cement.
Presently the Group is in the process of structuring and organising its worldwide activities on the basis of a unified concept. Following months of brainstorming sessions on all levels of the Group, eight fundamental corporate principles have emerged as the Corporate Mission of the Group. They represent the basic guideline of all HZ Group member companies and define the Group's activities. The Corporate Mission and principles help ensure that Heidelberger Zement continues to perform to the highest quality, industrial, environmental and commercial standards.
Each of the Group companies have contributed and enhanced the organisational culture of Heidelberger Zement Group with their own set of cultural values and their own local management and business philosophy. Each company within the Group has been encouraged to and retained its regional identity and independence while all Group companies are actively contributing to the implementation of our Group slogan: "For Better Building" which represents a target and a responsibility for ourselves.
Heidelberger Zement Group means more than manufacturing building materials. It also means a continuous contribution to public welfare, both on economic and social terms. The internal resources and competencies of the Group are mobilised towards improving the performance of the companies and increasing shareholders' value.
After acquiring new companies, the Heidelberger Zement Group invested great sums in restructuring the companies and providing high technology equipment to increase productivity, quality of products and to meet environmental requirements for sustainable development.
Environment Protection
Environment protection is a strategic part of the company's philosophy. This strategy has been implemented also in the new acquired companies in Central Europe East. Top technologies reducing emissions, dust and noise as well as technologies decreasing energy consumption were installed. In many of our plants waste material like used tires and waste oil are being used as a substitute fuel. Utilisation of slag and fly ash for the production of special kind of cements not only saves the natural sources but it also ensures a high eco-efficiency. When using natural sources, great attention is paid to reclaiming the mined parts of the quarries.
Heidelberger Zement Technology Center
To use expertise of research, development and consulting for the use of all companies within the Group, Heidelberger Zement Technology Center (HTC) was established. Its primary objective is to provide a service with high technical competence for the entire Group - in construction consulting, quality assurance, environment tasks etc.
Quality Management
The majority of plants has been included in the quality certification and granted certificates ISO 9002 according to the international standards which means that they fulfil the quality control systems required. It certainly improves the position of our companies on the building materials markets.
International Personnel
Thanks to the internationalisation, more and more opportunities are arising for our employees. When opening new markets, transfer of technical and economic know-how is of a great advantage for companies entering the Group. On the other hand, regional expertise and experience contributes substantially to the "Group's know-how". That's why Heidelberger Zement combines regional and international management and in Central European countries, majority of executive positions are fulfilled by regional managers. Working in an international company like Heidelberger Zement brings a great challenge for employees to improve their qualifications and skills and at the same moment gives them the feeling of being members of a strong and successful team.
CARPATCEMENT ROMANIA SRL is the Romanian company that coordinates the cement activities of Heidelberger Zement in Romania and assists also the cement factories in management, finance, investment and development.
The address of the company Carpatcement Romania SRL is:
240, Calea Dorobantilor
tel: +40 1 231 5788-90
fax: +40 1 231 5782
e-mail: Info.Bucharest@hz-group.com
Contact persons
General Manager - Mihai Rohan
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