With $5.84 billion in cement, aggregate and ready mixed concrete sales, North America led five LafargeHolcim Ltd. regions in 2015, besting overall figures from Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Middle East Africa businesses. In its inaugural annual report, the company credits continuing U.S. recovery, cost optimization and price management for solid North America region results. Cement and aggregate volumes increased as a whole across the U.S. and eastern Canada, offset partially by a) reduced demand in Texas and western Canada markets, where oil and commodity investments were under pressure; and, b) merger-driven divestments in some states. A double-digit increase in U.S. operating EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization) stemmed from active cost, price and margin management.
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