The Times 100 Business Case StudiesEdition 15

Sustainable performance in the construction industry

CEMEX

Introduction to CEMEX

One of the world’s largest building materials companies

Operates in the extractive industry Active in more than 50 countries; Employs over 60,000 people

CEMEX UK produces cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates - generates over £1 billion sales per year

Its products are essential for the UK economy Needs to balance need for minerals against the

effects of extraction on people and environment

Sectors of industry

Three sectors of industry CEMEX is active in all three sectors

Primary – extraction/quarrying of raw materials from sea or land

Secondary – manufacturing/production of ready mix concrete, cement and asphalt

Tertiary – distributing products to business and consumer outlets by road, rail

and water

Location of industry

Close to markets or close to raw materials Reach customers easily Save transport costs

Sustainable location Minimise effects on the environment e.g. least

waste, fewer journeys Primary activity located where the raw

materials occur

Sustainable location

CEMEX locates manufacturing processes to meet market needs As near to quarries as

practical Big projects may have on-

site concrete plant, e.g. the new Wembley stadium

Has adopted sustainable practices National supply network of

500 locations - materials available locally

Using by-products from other industries

Use of water transport wherever possible – sea, rivers, underground pipelines to save road miles

Over 10% of materials moved by rail

Benefits and impacts

Sustainable practices support business performance

Over £30 million per year investment

Operations - new products/services, improving efficiency, reducing emissions and use of energy E.g. Use of household

waste as alternative fuel People -engaging

employees, contributing to the community, communicating with stakeholders E.g. Restoration of quarries

for leisure purposes