Building materials Holcim closes Holderbank site after 114 years
Holcim wants to close its site in Holderbank AG. The approximately 200 employees are to move to the headquarters in Zug from 2026, as the building materials group announced at an information event for those affected on Wednesday.
03.07.2024, 08:51
SDA
This will mark the end of Holcim's presence in the Aargau municipality, where the cement group has its roots, after 114 years. Holcim explained that the move to the headquarters was intended to promote cooperation between employees and the divisions. "The consolidation of the locations and offices is not associated with any redundancies. "There will be no redundancies," assured the world's largest cement group.
"We are supporting all employees in their move to Zug," said a company spokesperson when asked by the news agency AWP. Holcim is offering financial assistance for commuting to work or for those affected to relocate.
Before the merger, the headquarters in Zug will be renovated and expanded. More than 400 people will then work at the renovated headquarters, the spokesperson said.
History began in Holderbank
Holcim has its roots in the Aargau Portlandcement factory in Holderbank, which was founded by Adolf Gygi on February 15, 1912. In 1914, the then most modern and efficient cement factory "Holderbank" merged with the Rheintalische Cementfabrik Rüti owned by industrialist Ernst Schmidheiny. This marked the beginning of the rise of the Schmidheiny family, which was to shape the Swiss cement business for generations. Thomas Schmidheiny is still Holcim's largest shareholder today.
Holcim is aware of the importance of its cultural heritage, the Group spokesperson continued. Some time ago, together with the canton of Aargau, an 18-hectare nature reserve was created in Holderbank and money made available for its preservation. The aim now is to find the best and most sustainable solution for the Holderbank site.
Further growth in Switzerland
Overall, Holcim wants to expand in this country: "Switzerland is and will remain one of our most important markets," said the spokesperson: "It is a pioneer market for us and a driver of innovation."
Holcim is growing in Switzerland, both organically and through strategic mergers and acquisitions that create synergies for the business, the spokesperson continued. In spring, the Group announced the acquisition of the Cand-Landi Group in western Switzerland, which generated sales of CHF 70 million last year.
Last week, Holcim announced its intention to invest around CHF 250 million in its three Swiss cement plants. The aim is to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the production of cement and comply with the future limits of the Clean Air Ordinance.
