Sri Lanka is a talent hub Holcim tells Swiss Forum

Monday, 15 February 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Holcim-Sri-Lanka-CEO-Philippe-Richart Swiss-based global cement giant says operations in Sri Lanka have been a “journey of growth”

Iconic Swiss cement giant Holcim at the Forum in Davos highlighted how Sri Lanka has become a talent hub for its global operations.

Around a dozen of its senior Sri Lankan executives have been or are currently working in several Holcim locations and Holcim (Lanka) Ltd., has become a talent exporter, according to Holcim Sri Lanka CEO Philippe Richart .

Among positions currently held by Sri Lankans are Holcim Malaysia CEO, Holcim Vietnam CFO, CEO at HEABSC Philippines, CFO in Thailand, Vice President Logistics and Imports at Holcim Malaysia, APAC internal Audit, HR Manager at Bangladesh and Asia Pacific Regional Compliance Coordinator for its sustainability arm Geocycle.

Holcim which recently merged with Lafarge operates in 90 countries and employs 115,000.

Philippe said whilst Holcim has benefited from top talent in Sri Lanka as a company it is committed to develop people as well. It has invested over Rs. 300 million on training and development between 2009 and 2015 locally, regionally and internationally for leadership, management and functional staff.

The showcase of Sri Lanka as a talent hub was made by Holcim at the luncheon meeting with a group of European and Asian investors who had gathered in Davos.

“The quality of people in Sri Lanka is fantastic and I could say Holcim is one of the biggest exporters of talent,” Richart said.

Holcim said that its investment and operations in Sri Lanka has been a “journey of growth.” In its near two decades of existence in Sri Lanka it has invested over Rs. 18 billion (around $ 130 million) in modernisation and capacity expansion with around 90% of profits regularly reinvested in to the company. Investments in the past three years amounted to $ 47 million.

Holcim’s grinding capacity in Sri Lanka amounts to 2.3 metric tons per annum and comprises of a fully integrated plant with 1.3 metric tons per annum capacity and a grinding station of 1 million metric tons per annum. Its import cement terminals have capacity of 1.2 million metric tons. It is the sole clinker manufacturer in Sri Lanka.

Richart said over the past five years, Holcim’s sales have enjoyed an annual growth of 5% with a turnover of over $ 200 million. It directly employs nearly 700 people and a further 800 on contract. The Company says over 1 in 3 Lankan homes are constructed using Holcim cement, the portfolio of which includes ‘only certified green cement in the country’.

“When I compare with Vietnam the public sector facilitation and professionalism is better in Sri Lanka. It also has good skilled labour and a strong legal system with good degree of protection for intellectual property. Life for an expatriate in Sri Lanka is also best in Asia,” the Holcim Lanka CEO told the Swiss Forum.

He adviced prospective investors if keen on Sri Lanka to partner a local for a joint venture as there are good local companies. “So overall Sri Lanka is one of the easiest places to make and do business in Asia,” Richart added.

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