LafargeHolcim is the world’s largest cement and building materials company. It was formed in 2014 through the merger of two of the largest global competitors, Lafarge of France and Holcim of Switzerland.
Boğaz Endüstri ve Madencilik Ltd (BEM) is one of the leading industrial companies in gray cement-grinding and packaging in Northern Cyprus, operating a cement plant on the eastern coast of Northern Cyprus territory. As construction projects grew in Northern Cyprus, BEM was purchased by Holcim in 2003.[1] This led to intensive investment in new infrastructure and the expansion of the facility, increasing production capacity from 150,000 tons in 2000 to 450,000 tons by 2008.[2] With the merger of Lafarge and Holcim in 2014, BEM became fully integrated in the global LafargeHolcim structure.[3]
The high market demand for cement in Northern Cyprus drove up LafargeHolcim’s cement sales to 240,000 tons in 2015, an increase of 32.7 percent from the previous year.[4] Beyond the obvious contribution LafargeHolcim is making to the expansion of settlements in Northern Cyprus by providing immediate and accessible high-quality construction material, cement is also one of Northern Cyprus’s key exports. LafargeHolcim is thus facilitating the long-term growth and sustainability of the Northern Cyprus economy.
[1] BEM Ltd., “Institutional,” http://www.bemltd.com/institutional/?lang=en; Holcim Ltd., “Holcim Strengthens Market Presence in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Takeover of Bogaz Endustri Madencilik in Northern Cyprus,” October 13, 2003, http://www.holcim.com/media-relations/latest-releases/latest-release/article/holcim-strengthens-market-presence.html.
[2] BEM Ltd., “Institutional,” http://www.bemltd.com/institutional/?lang=en.
[3] LafargeHolcim, “Directory,” http://www.lafargeholcim.com/directory?term_node_tid_depth=998&field_activity_tid=All;
Detay, “‘Be Careful, Share and Act Together,’” May 25, 2016,
http://www.detaykibris.com/dikkat-et-paylas-ve-birlikte-hareket-et-123402h.htm.
[4] Holcim (Lebanon) S.A.L., Annual Report 2015, p. 6, www.holcim.com.lb/uploads/LB/Holcim-Annual_Report_2015.pdf.
