Industry: global leader Holcim invests in PRB Group, a building solutions specialist from Vendée

The innovative company PRB, which is based in Atlantic France, is being taken over by the Solutions & Products division of Holcim. The Swiss group is the world leader in construction materials and solutions.

PRB Group was founded in 1975 in Vendée, Atlantic France. The company specialises in specialty building solutions (coatings, flooring systems, insulations, etc.) and has become the biggest independent French manufacturer in this sector. 

The family-owned group gives priority to innovation and sustainability and has achieved great success, with double-digit annual growth and sales expected to reach €340 million in 2022. PRB employs 700 people and runs an R&D centre, 5 manufacturing sites and 26 warehouses.

A meeting point for green strategies

The acquisition of PRB by Holcim is part of the “Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth” roadmap of the global leader in construction materials and solutions. Holcim has planned for the significant growth of its Solutions & Products branch, which should reach 30% of the entire group’s net sales by 2025.

As well as this, PRB has excellent prospects given the French government policies: €7.5 billion has been allocated to low-carbon construction and the French housing renovation market has the potential to grow by 18%, according to Holcim’s press release. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

This is another exciting step in the expansion of Solutions & Products, advancing our “Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth”. I am highly impressed by the outstanding achievements of the Laurent family as well as by the expertise and passion of the entire PRB team. I look forward to warmly welcoming all employees into Holcim and to invest in our next era of growth together, with a continued focus on innovation, sustainability and branding.

Jan Jenisch, Holcim CEO

Like PRB, Holcim is focused on driving the circular economy and leading the way in sustainable construction. With Holcim’s leadership in this sector, we know that our company will be in good hands to reach its next level of performance.

Jean-Jacques Laurent, President of PRB Group