Saint Gobain - Registration document 2016

1 SAINT-GOBAIN TODAY 2. Corporate culture

Corporate culture 2.

2.1

MAJOR MILESTONES IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GROUP

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17th century: origins

which requires large glazed surfaces, provide it with new opportunities. In 1970, Saint-Gobain divests its chemicals business and merges with cast iron pipe company Pont-à-Mousson. In the closing decades of the 20th century, key new acquisitions reshape an increasingly international and increasingly diversified group. The acquisition of Norton in efforts and accelerates its geographic expansion, increasing the number of countries in which it has a presence from 18 to 64 between 1986 and 2010. 1990 doubles Saint-Gobain’s presence in the United States, opening up new markets for the company and providing the opportunity to develop expertise in abrasives, plastics and ceramics. The acquisition of Poliet in 1996 provides the basis for developing the distribution businesses. The Group then goes on to make acquisitions in building materials distribution. In parallel, Saint-Gobain intensifies its research Saint-Gobain focuses its strategy on sustainable construction, as well as continuing to serve a number of industrial markets. With its extensive network of assets, the Group is growing steadily in emerging countries. The acquisition in 2005 of British Plaster Board, the global leader in plasterboard, is Saint-Gobain’s largest ever. In combination with Isover glass wool, it makes Saint-Gobain the world number one in interior solutions. The Group is also continuing to make acquisitions to expand its building materials distribution network in Europe. The sale of Verallia, the Group’s glass jar and bottle-making subsidiary, in 2015 was part of a strategy of business portfolio optimization. In 2016, Saint-Gobain unveiled a new brand identity and reiterated its mission to create great living places and improve daily life. daily life 21st century: reinventing construction and

mirror manufacturing. In 1684, it produces the mirrors for the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles and sets up operations in the village of Saint-Gobain, in Picardy (Northern France) in 1692. In 1665, encouraged by his minister Colbert, King Louis XIV of France creates the Manufacture des Glaces (glass manufacturing plant) to challenge Venetian supremacy in 18th and 19th centuries: the birth and growth of a major company Mirrors become fashionable and more affordable. With orders from both royalty and private individuals, the Manufacture des Glaces is now modernized, employing over a thousand workers, and sees increasing prosperity over the course of new architectural styles relying on iron and glass, primarily for major public facilities, such as covered markets, railway stations and covered arcades. the century. In the 19th century it benefits from the growth of Facing sharp international competition, Saint-Gobain diversifies into the chemicals sector. At the end of the century, its chemical sector and glass-making activities are of equal weight. The Group begins its international expansion in 1858, moving into Germany. More European countries follow, with Italy in 1889, Belgium in 1898, the Netherlands in 1904, and Spain in 1905. Ongoing international expansion remains one of the hallmarks of Saint-Gobain’s history to this day. 20th century: a high-growth global group Saint-Gobain is now developing interests in all types of glass products (window glass, bottles, optical glass, etc.). The revolution in automobile design and modern architecture,

SAINT-GOBAIN ARCHIVES, AN ASSET FOR THE GROUP

the French subsidiaries. Saint-Gobain Archives is also open to researchers and is available to assist with the promotion of Saint-Gobain’s historical heritage. The Group’s archiving policy aims to safeguard the life cycle of archive documents and data, their creation and their availability. For this purpose, Saint-Gobain is committed to preserving its history. Its archive facility, located in the French town of Blois and opened in 1980, has the task of collecting, storing and circulating historical documents and current archives. It has 80 linear kilometers of storage capacity and is available for use by all

purposes, all kinds of documents or data of long-term importance which are currently stored in business application databases, on individual computers and in email inboxes. The first phase of this lengthy collaborative project will complete in summer 2017. in 2016 the Group embarked on a major digital archiving operation, using the Darwin (“Digital archives readable with infinity”) solution which is capable of adapting to future developments in digital formats. The value of Darwin is not limited to our heritage. It is intended to store, for legal

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SAINT-GOBAIN - REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2016