LafargeHolcim posts 6.4% sales rise in Q1 2019

8161 LafargeHolcim, the French-Swiss building materials heavyweight, posted a 6.4% year-on-year sales rise to €5.959 billion in the first quarter of 2019. Profitability increased in all business segments, while there was a 20.6% increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation). The Group also achieved a significant reduction in its debt.

Looking ahead, LafargeHolcim sees its positive momentum in Q1 continuing throughout the rest of 2019. This is expected to include continued market growth in North America, softer but stabilising cement demand in Latin America, continued demand growth across most countries in Europe, challenging but stabilising market conditions in Middle East Africa, and continued demand growth in Asia Pacific

Jan Jenisch, CEO of LafargeHolcim, said: “We had a very strong start of the year and I am especially pleased to see our strong sales growth and an over-proportional increase in profitability. Our momentum is very positive and the Q1 2019 is the third consecutive quarter with Recurring EBITDA growing faster than Net Sales.”

“Our strategic decision to divest South East Asia was executed with very attractive valuations allowing us to achieve a new level of financial strength. We have delivered on the promised strengthening of our balance sheet and we are on track to accelerate the execution of our Strategy 2022 – ‘Building for Growth’.”

“Our momentum in the past 3 quarters, a solid global market demand and the ambitions of our teams give us great confidence for reaching our targets for the full year.”