Holcim spins off North American operations

Switzerland-based Holcim says its shareholders have approved the spin-off of the company’s North American business, creating a new company that will be known as Amrize.

Staring next month, Amrize stock will be listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and Swiss SIX Exchange under the ticker symbol AMRZ, says the global producer of cement and aggregate products.

Jan Jenisch, formerly a board chair for Holcim, has been named chair and CEO of Amrize.

“Today marks a milestone in Holcim's transformation,” says Jenisch. “This next chapter has been made possible thanks to our empowered teams across Holcim delivering for our customers every day. Their world-class performance has enabled us to create two champions, positioned to unlock a new level of value and growth in their respective markets.”

On the Holcim United States website, the company says in the U.S. it produces “high-quality recycled aggregates from recycled and return concrete,” including under the brand name Aggneo. “This sustainable approach ensures that reserves are not unnecessarily depleted and reduces the impact on landfill sites,” adds the firm.

Holcim says its recycled aggregates are used in a range of applications, including as road base, sub-base, building foundation material, and in utility trenches and parking areas.

Some of Holcim’s concrete recycling facilities formerly had operated as Aggregates Industries, including in the New England region.

Many of Holcim’s aggregates-related operations were obtained in 2015, when it completed its acquisition of fellow European company Lafarge S.A., which had been based in France.

“As chairman and CEO of Holcim for over seven years, Jan has made Holcim a leading company in its financial performance, sustainability, innovation and culture,” says incoming Holcim board chair Kim Fausing. “On behalf of the board, I extend our deep thanks to Jan for his outstanding accomplishments.”

Holcim says the word Amrize is derived from the words “ambition” and “rising.”

A new logo has been designed and the tagline “build your ambition” is intended to “capture the passion of its employees and the company’s customer-focus to be the partner of choice for the builders of North America.”