It’s confirmed. In the sights of the Taylor Smith group for a few months, Lafarge (Mauritius) Ltd finally comes under its control. As proof, the company CEMENTIS Investment, recently incorporated and operating under the dome of Taylor Smith, has acquired the Lafarge terminal (Mauritius).
In addition, CEMENTIS Indian Ocean, also a subsidiary of Taylor Smith Investment, immediately took over the subsidiaries of LafargeHolcim Indian Ocean, Reunion, Madagascar, the Comoros and Mayotte.
In contrast, the acquisition in Seychelles, where negotiations are still ongoing, is expected to take place within a few months. As of yet, the amount of the deal has not been disclosed but it is expected to run into tens of millions of rupees, given the size of the Indian Ocean cluster involved in the buyout.
The Mauritian group’s approach to grabbing this cluster follows Lafarge’s decision to withdraw from the region. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Taylor Smith Investment and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CEMENTIS Indian Ocean, Colin Taylor, explains that with this transaction, CEMENTIS is positioning itself as the regional leader in the production and distribution of cement.
“The acquired companies are all financially solid in addition to having a unique geographic positioning. In addition, all of the group’s subsidiaries are led by experienced teams, which are supported by the workforce.
To lead the cement division of the Taylor Smith group, the new CEO, Chris Harker, has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, having worked for well-known companies such as Blue Circle and Italcementi, not to mention his experience in mergers and acquisitions.
. By his side, he will be able to count on Heba Capdevila, the CEO of CEMENTIS (Mauritius) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the CEMENTIS group.
Chris Harker emphasizes that CEMENTIS will rely on the expertise and commitment of its teams to be a responsible, reliable and regional player in the field.
The future of CEMENTIS, he says, thus rests on regional talents and the possibility of supporting them in their development, while promoting innovation and creativity.
“Our promise, as a responsible cement supplier, is to continue to support the construction of our towns and villages, and the protection of our islands, while minimizing our ecological footprint at every stage of our development.
” LafargeHolcim Indian Ocean, renamed the CEMENTIS group, will therefore have a new regional identity.
Its subsidiaries will be known as CEMENTIS (Mauritius), CEMENTIS (Réunion), CEMENTIS (Madagascar), CEMENTIS (Mayotte), and CEMENTIS (Comoros). In addition to the new name, the group will display a new visual identity and new colors.
One of the regional leaders in the production and distribution of cement and cementitious materials, CEMENTIS will continue to serve all of its customers, from the smallest craftsmen to the largest construction companies, through new infrastructures and the intelligent and responsible use of its products.
“The priority of the CEMENTIS group will be to ensure a smooth transition and the continuity of its operations under the best conditions.
The continuation of activities, measures and commitments, both at the level of employees and structures, is therefore assured ”, explains Colin Taylor.
Maintaining the quality of the group’s operations, services, solutions and products, he adds, will be followed by new investments and projects to consolidate its leadership of regional subsidiaries, through the development of product ranges adapted to specificities, needs and demands of each market.
Moreover, the names of CEMENTIS products remain unchanged in each territory: Baobab in Mauritius, Volcan & Kosto in Reunion, Lova, Orimbato and Manda in Madagascar, Hodari in Comoros and Mayotte.
However, CEMENTIS cement bags will continue to carry, while stocks last, the Lafarge brand in Mauritius, the Comoros and Mayotte and that of Holcim in Reunion and Madagascar.
They will gradually be replaced by bags bearing the new CEMENTIS logo. Present in the economic landscape since 1928, the Taylor Smith group is active in the marine and port, logistics and distribution, and manufacturing sectors. With this new acquisition, its annual turnover is expected to exceed Rs 3 billion.