Holcim Canada Launches 'Together for Communities' Employee Volunteer Initiative

Providing Almost 100 Years' Worth of Volunteering to Society

TORONTO, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Holcim Canada, a leading supplier of building materials and construction services is proudly celebrating the centennial of its parent company by announcing the launch of its 'Together for Communities' program at the Earth Rangers Centre in Woodbridge today. With the Together for Communities initiative Holcim Canada aims to give back to the community by mobilizing its 3000 Canadian employees to volunteer a work day to relevant causes in their local communities throughout the year.

The 100 year anniversary of Holcim Ltd. is being celebrated in a very special way across the globe in the various countries where the company is present. The ambitious initiative aims to engage as many as 80,000 employees worldwide to volunteer one day in the communities where the company operates.  If everybody at Holcim participates, Holcim Ltd. could provide almost 100 years' worth of volunteering service to society.

Holcim Canada has built a solid reputation for its commitment to neighbours and its contribution to building healthy, vibrant and liveable communities. The Together for Communities initiative is just another innovative way the company has found to contribute. "Holcim and their staff have contributed to many worthwhile projects in Halton Region, such as providing materials for a splash pad in Acton, supporting cultural institutions such as the Holcim Gallery at the Milton Centre for the Arts, donating food to the Burlington Salvation Army Food Drive, and helping to raise funds for our hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.  "With their new 'Together for Communities' initiative, Holcim Canada continues to demonstrate their dedication to making a difference in our communities, and they are helping to keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire."

"It is extremely important to have committed partners in the community—the kind that you can count on to pitch in for a local Habitat for Humanity build, join volunteer committees, support local families in need," says Stewart Hardacre, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada. "By adding volunteerism to their corporate giving program, Holcim Canada is providing its employees and partners in the Together for Communities initiative a very personal experience - a chance to see first-hand the value of their contributions and the difference it can make."

"To be successful in business, a company must look beyond profit and operate on the concept of balancing the triple bottom line; People, planet and profit. Holcim Ltd., one of the world's leading producers of products and services for the construction industry, is a model for this concept; and the fact we are celebrating our 100 years in business, confirms that it works." said Paul Ostrander, President & CEO, Holcim Canada.

The commitment of employees to this volunteer initiative was witnessed at the launch event where employees at all levels, from the company's President & CEO to a Concrete Ready-mix truck driver, participated in various outdoor and indoor volunteer activities at the Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology.

About Together for Communities:
In 2012, Holcim is celebrating 100 years of strength, performance and passion. By volunteering in their communities, Holcim employees are celebrating the Centennial in a special way. Even though each activity is driven by local needs, the initiative is a global one - and runs under a global header: Together for Communities.

This initiative is a perfect complement to Holcim Canada's existing corporate social responsibility program, and an excellent opportunity to engage its employees, neighbours and stakeholders in a partnership to make a major contribution in the communities where Holcim Canada operates.

For more information on this initiative or to inquire how your community organization can get involved, please visit www.holcim.ca

About Holcim (Canada) Inc.
Holcim (Canada) Inc. is one of the country's leading producer and supplier of products and services for the construction industry, serving customers across Canada. With 3,000 employees, Holcim Canada manufactures cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete and provides construction services to many of Canada's largest infrastructure projects.

Holcim Canada is a member of Holcim Group, a Swiss-based multinational with operations in more than 70 countries worldwide. A leading global brand, Holcim is recognized for its long-term financial performance, its environmental leadership, corporate social responsibility and sustainable construction.

For more information, please visit: www.holcim.ca
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Andrea Bourrie
Director, Planning & Regulatory Affairs
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]