In June 2007, Mexico-based CEMEX became one of the world’s largest suppliers of building materials after attaining a majority stake in Australia’s Rinker Group. Just 24 months earlier, the company had acquired U.K.-based RMC. While CEMEX’s successful growth strategy could be attributed to its unique post-merger integration process, it was unclear whether using the same processes with the RMC and Rinker acquisitions would suffice.

Learning Objectives

To highlight CEMEX’s globalization strategy; and illustrate how the company has managed to attain a high level of operational efficiency throughout its distributed operations without a complex organizational structure.