More than 200 corporate jobs are set to be axed at French Swiss global building materials giant
Consistent with its Strategy 2022, LafargeHolcim says the new streamlining of the Group’s business will see the loss of 107 jobs in Zurich and Holderbank and a further 97 in Paris. LafargeHolcim corporate offices in Paris and Zurich will close with remaining positions in Switzerland being moved to the company’s Holderbank site and a new corporate office in Zug, Switzerland. In Paris, remaining positions will be moved to Clamart in the southwest of the city. The plan is due to be completed by the end of 2018.
Jan Jenisch, chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim, said: “This painful but necessary simplification step is key to creating a leaner, faster and more competitive LafargeHolcim.”
The proposals presented to works councils today (Friday 25 May) are a key component of LafargeHolcim’s Strategy 2022 launched in March 2018. The Group says the Strategy will enable it to grow and vigorously capture market opportunities by moving closer to customers in key countries. LafargeHolcim is on track to reach its previously announced CHF 400 million SG&A cost saving target by Q1 2019. The Group says the proposed changes will also help sustain competitiveness and investment in innovation.
The plan is subject to required consultation and regulatory processes in each country and the company says it will endeavour to minimise the impact on employees and will offer support at affected sites.
The new Strategy 22 proposals are also in line with other measures that have already been implemented. These include the closure of corporate offices in Singapore and Miami, the elimination of one layer of management and the near doubling of countries reporting directly to the slimmed down Group Executive Committee.
