France: Lafarge, the French building materials giant, has announced plans to restructure the group along national lines instead of product types. The move will be implanted from the start of 2012 and was described by Lafarge as 'the natural next step' following its geographical expansion and its recent refocusing on cement, aggregates and concrete. This has become more pertinent following the disposal of most of its gypsum activities, with only North America the only area in which it still has gypsum operations. The aim of the project is to increase Lafarge's differentiation through the development of higher value-added products and solutions for construction.
Bruno Lafont, chief executive at Lafarge, said that the project may have a 'limited' impact on staff numbers. "It is premature to speak of the consequences in terms of employment," said Lafont. "If there is an impact, we think it will be limited." Lafarge previously said that it would remove a layer of management at the 'regional' level as part of the reorganisation
