Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials, with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt. Founded in 1873 in Heidelberg, Germany, by Johann Philipp Schifferdecker, a trained beer brewer, from a single Portland cement plant, the company now employs more than 51,000 people and operates in over 50 countries across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Mediterranean and Western Asia.

For skilled workers, the practical footprint is substantial. North American operations, unified under the Heidelberg Materials brand in 2023 after previously trading as Lehigh Hanson, comprise more than 450 locations and approximately 9,000 employees. Work spans cement manufacturing, quarrying and aggregates production, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt plants, and industrial construction materials.

Technical work at the company covers carbon capture technology, circular economy solutions and low-carbon building materials, including the products evoZero and evoBuild. Digital transformation and operational excellence are stated priorities. The company describes its purpose as "Material to build our future", sets out four culture principles - be stronger together, get the customer excited, unleash innovation, and think and act long term - and states an ambition to lead the industry on the path to carbon neutrality.