Lafarge Africa : Holds Transporters’ Summit, Rewards Performance

Leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company, Lafarge Africa Plc held a two-day capacity-building event - The Transporters' Summit - for the independent transport partners who distribute its products across the country. The management and staff of the company and experts in various areas such as logistics, business management, sustainability and other professionals in the Supply Chain ecosystem who attended the event shared and exchanged best practices, innovations and insights on global transport operations and logistics.

The summit with the theme Let's build together - partnering for growth took place at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos was also an opportunity to celebrate and reward the transporters for their valuable contributions to the success and growth of the company.

Speaking at the event, Khaled El-Dokani, the Country CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc noted that the annual summit is a platform for transport businesses working with Lafarge to improve their operations by getting acquainted with new developments that drive efficiency, support best practices and profitability and improve logistics safety within the sector. He encouraged the transporters to take maximum advantage of the two-day learning by rigorously applying the lessons and insights shared at the summit to their operations.

El-Dokani said: 'We organized this event out of enlightened interest. As you know, operational excellence and innovation are key principles that guide all we do at Lafarge. We will become more innovative and more efficient as a company if we provide a platform for key partners such as yourselves to learn about and assimilate cutting-edge developments in logistics'.

'We not only promise to deliver products to Nigerian customers that are of the same quality that Holcim customers enjoy in over 70 countries in the world, but we are also committed to delivering the products on time and in excellent condition. You, our dear Transporters, help us fulfil this promise'. El-Dokani added.

He further highlighted the company's commitment to sustainable policies that will lower the environmental impact of logistics operations on the planet.

These businesses must adhere to the company's standard policies of doing business including its strict adherence to global health and safety standards. To qualify as a Transporter, potential Transporters must satisfy certain criteria including ensuring that their trucks are in safe and roadworthy conditions, utilization of digital safety applications and employment of well-trained drivers.

Lafarge operates a Driving Institute where it trains the drivers employed by the transport companies engaged to distribute its products.

The CFO and Supply Chain Director Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi while speaking during the event said to the Transporters: 'You have been exceptional partners who share our values and our commitment which is to build progress for the people and the planet. You are a critical part of the Lafarge customer experience. As you are aware, our journey to excellence began a long time ago. It is imperative to note that this journey has been that of a deliberate and consistent desire to add value to the business and all our partners. You can clearly see that what we have achieved over the years is through your valuable partnership, support and collaboration.'

He continued: 'As an organization, our commitment to Sustainability is unwavering. Very recently, we announced our acquisition of 52 NLNG fueled trucks to again reaffirm our commitment to affordable and clean energy (SDG7). It is a significant achievement, powered by a committed team towards achieving our organizational objectives.'

The Country Head of Logistics Osazemen Oluwatoyin Aghatise thanked the Transporters for their partnership and commitment and underscored the importance of ensuring safety in Logistics. He said: 'At Lafarge, we walk the talk on Health and Safety and must ensure zero harm across all our operations. To achieve this, we must collaborate and work together with our partners using the best tools and processes and adhering to our standard protocols.'

Lafarge Africa Plc also recently produced its first set of certified female truck drivers through its Lafarge Driving Institute as part of the company's commitment to inclusive workplaces for women, a deliberate pledge to Gender Diversity, all round safety on Nigerian roads through the availability of qualified drivers within its operations, and creation of jobs around its host communities.

The Managing Director of Joza Global Logistics, the 'National Champion' and winner of the Star prize thanked the company for the rewarding business partnership and recognition. He reiterated his commitment to collaborate more with the company in ensuring best practices within the Logistics process.

The Transporters who were recognized during the awards for emerging the overall winner, regional winners for the North, West and South received a Mitsubishi van, 20 and KVA generators and 50-inch television sets.

About Lafarge Africa Plc

Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company is a member of Holcim, a world leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions accelerating our world's green transformation. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.

Lafarge Africa has a large footprint in Nigeria with cement operations in the South West (Ewekoro and Sagamu in Ogun State), North East (Ashaka, in Gombe State), South East (Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State) with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Lafarge Africa has a current installed cement production capacity of 10.5Mtpa.

Lafarge Africa leverages on its innovative expertise to provide value-added products and services solutions in the building and construction industry in Nigeria. Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com.ng

About Holcim

Holcim builds progress for people and the planet. As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy Holcim is becoming a net zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success. The company is driving the circular economy as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. Holcim is the company behind some of the world's most trusted brands in the building sector including ACC, Aggregate Industries, Ambuja Cement, Disensa, Firestone Building Products, Geocycle, Holcim and Lafarge. Holcim is 70,000 people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products. More information is available on www.holcim.com

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Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor

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