Holcim Apasco - Eduardo Kretschmer Castañeda Takes Over as

Mexico City, April 1, 2008. Eduardo Kretschmer Castañeda, previously CEO of Holcim Group cement companies in Chile and Argentina, begins as CEO of Holcim Apasco in Mexico as of April 1, replacing Pierre A. Froidevaux Chaván.Eduardo Kretschmer was born in Viña del Mar, Chile. He holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Universidad Federico Santa María, and a post-graduate degree in business administration from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, both in Chile. He has also studied advanced management at Harvard.Mr. Kretschmer began his career at Holcim in 1981, at Cemento Polpaico in Chile. From 1991 to 1994 he was CFO and subsequently CEO of Holcim Colombia. From 1998 to late 2001, he served as Corporate Director of Finance and Administration of Holcim Apasco. In 2002 he was named CEO of Minetti in Argentina, and in 2003 he took over as CEO of Cemento Polpaico.######Holcim Apasco produces and sells cement, mortar, ready-mix concrete and other products and services for construction. The company has a presence throughout Mexico, with 6 cement plants and a current installed capacity of 11.3 million tons per year, more than 100 ready-mix concrete plants, 5 aggregate plants, 23 cement distribution centers, 2 maritime terminals and a Concrete Technology Center.Holcim Apasco is part of the Holcim Group, a world leader in cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates (sand and gravel), asphalt, and related contracting services. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all five continents.Contact:Gustavo GastélumTel: +52 (55) 5724-0110gustavo.gastelum@holcimapasco.com.mxContact:Verónica DiezTel. +52 (55) 5724-0000 ext. 1378verónica.diez@holcimapasco.com.mx