Our Relationship with Lafarge

In July 2001, as a result of a worldwide acquisition of Blue Circle Industries Plc by Lafarge SA, West African Portland Cement Plc (WAPCO) became a subsidiary of Lafarge. The integration of WAPCO into Lafarge Group was concluded in 2002. Since then, our parent Company has continued to demonstrate interest in, and commitment to the growth of WAPCO for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Lafarge Profile

Created in 1833, Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all four of its activities: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum.

With 80,000 employees in 76 countries, Lafarge posted sales of Euros 16 billions in 2005.

Lafarge has been committed to sustainable development for many years, pursuing a strategy that combines industrial know-how with performance, value creation, respect for employees and local cultures, environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources and energy.

To make advances in building materials, Lafarge places the customer at the heart of its concerns. It offers the construction industry and the general public innovative solutions bringing greater safety, comfort and quality to their everyday surroundings.

In 2005, the Group pursued its strategy of strong value-creating growth by significantly expanding production capacity and modernizing industrial facilities. Lafarge has invested to keep pace with market growth and strengthen its positions in its four activities. The unprecedented capacity expansion program of the Group has been moving forward particularly in Cement and Gypsum to support market growth, and will start to deliver in 2006.

Lafarge: A step ahead in Innovation

Over the past ten years, Lafarge has introduced key innovations in the market, particularly in high and ultra high performance concretes (Agilia®, Ductal®). Lafarge has also fostered close relationships with customers and architects to develop product solutions and systems that genuinely meet the expectations of industry professionals, whether they seek qualities or technological prowess. Lafarge’s central research laboratory is working closely with its marketing professionals to anticipate these needs and aspirations, together with industrial teams to facilitate and accelerate the development of innovations.

Lafarge committed to Sustainable Development

For many years, Lafarge has been committed to a deliberate strategy of sustainable development, because, we, at Lafarge, strongly believe that the sustainable growth of the Group cannot be without ethics, empathy, openness and respect for men and their environment, as well as industrial efficiency, value creation and preservation of natural resources and energy.

Aware of its responsibilities towards society and the enormous challenges facing the construction industry for the future of the planet, Lafarge wants to go further and now takes into account the impact of its products over the course of their life cycle, from their initial manufacture to their end-of-life recycling. The Group’s success depends on its capacity to create sustainable value in and around its activities.

To better align its actions with these values, Lafarge has established global partnerships with NGOs:
- In 2005, renewal of global partnership with WWF, the global conservation organization, following significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions, in improving quarry rehabilitation practices and the implementation of eight key performance indicators. New ambitions have been set, including the promotion of sustainable construction.
- Global partnership with Habitat for Humanity to cooperate and provide decent housings to underprivileged people in 12 countries, to be extended in 25 countries by 2010.
- Global partnership with CARE to fight against HIV/AIDS at workplace and round.

Building competency in the market

WAPCO stands to enjoy high value creation from Lafarge as the Group introduces a turning point to display customer orientation, technical excellence and innovation from its branding platform. A benefit of being part of Lafarge is that our Shareholders expect good return on investments from a better-managed organisation and feel proud to be part of a global market leader.

Customers are equally proud to be associated with an international brand and expect high quality products, resulting from modern equipment and international standards and enhanced customer relations. Employees look forward to development and technical trainings, wider access to knowledge through the Group’s intranet and internationalisation. Our communities benefit from best practices on environment, community relations and social responsibility.

Organisation
Lafarge's subsidiaries in Nigeria are WAPCO in the South-West, AshakaCem in the North and Atlas Cement in the East