An innovating performance program, Advance, has been launched for the operational units of HERACLES Group of Companies. Advance is implementing at all Business Units of Cement Division of Lafarge Group worldwide and targets to high performance, the continuous training of employees and best practises in the cement business. The program objects to the development of competitive advantage for Heracles providing valuable Know-How and the ability to exploit Lafarge?s international experience.

The CEO of HERACLES Group, Mr. Albert Corcos, stated: ?Heracles has a high importance for Lafarge. Heracles is the second Business Unit in cement production in the Lafarge Group, representing 6% of the total cement production and 25% of the cement export activity of the Group. Today in Heracles, we are implementing a long-term program with the objective to make the employees of our company able to face successfully the challenge of a modern effective and performing cement company.

HERACLES Group of Companies, a member of Lafarge, has 3 cement plants in Greece. One in Volos, which is the largest cement plant in Europe, one in Milaki Evia and one in Halkis Evia. The total production capacity of the Group is 9.6 million tonnes annually which makes it the largest cement producer in Greece. HERACLES Group owns a number of subsidiary companies that are active in the production and sale of ready-mix and aggregate products (Lafarge Beton), construction and instalment of metallic constructio ns, industrial automation and production control systems, and research and development. In 2002, Heracles posted sales of 558 million euros.

Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, and employs 77,000 people in 75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted sales of 14.6 billion euros in 2002.