Wienerberger and Habitat build homes for families in need
Wienerberger concludes support agreement with international aid organization Habitat for Humanity155 brick homes for underprivileged families in Romania and Bulgaria will be builtwith the help of the worlds leading brick producerThe three-year program will be launched with the construction of five homes in five days
VIENNA/BRATISLAVA (October 1, 2012) – Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide aid organization that is dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing to poor and disadvantaged people throughout the world. In connection with its new CSR guideline, Wienerberger has decided to support Habitat for Humanity on residential construction projects in Romania and Bulgaria within the framework of a three1year cooperation agreement. “As the world’s leading supplier of building material solutions, we have set a goal to support the creation of housing for the socially disadvantaged, above all in areas where Wienerberger is present“, explained Wienerberger CEO Heimo Scheuch on the company’s commitment.
“Habitat is excited to enter into a partnership with Wienerberger to help families in need of simple and decent shelter. Today, more than ever, we need resources and expertise to make housingaffordable. With this help, we can lower construction costs and build more homes, communities and hope,” says Don Haszczyn, area vice president at Habitat for Humanity in Europe and Central Asia.
“We are very much looking forward to starting our cooperation in the fight against poverty housing”. With Wienerberger’s support, Habitat for Humanity will build a total of 140 homes in Romania and 15 in Bulgaria over the next three years. This leading global brick producer will not only supply the necessary technical know1how and a financial contribution, but also provide its premium brand Porotherm clay blocks for construction. “Together with Habitat for Humanity we are helping needy families to build safe and stable homes made of bricks that will meet today’s high demands for thermal insulation and energy efficiency and last for generations“, added Scheuch on the aims of this cooperation.
The three year cooperation program will be launched with the “Big Build 2012“ event in Craiova,Romania, from October 1 to 5. Together with the involved families, volunteers from all over the world will build five brick homes in five days. It is the first time that brick is used as the building material for the “Big Build” initiative. “This event demonstrates that brick construction is not only fast and cost1 effective, but also high1quality and sustainable“, underscored Heimo Scheuch on the advantages of this solid building material.
About Wienerberger
Wienerberger is the world’s largest producer of bricks (Porotherm, Terca) and the market leader in clay roof tiles (Koramic, TONDACH) in Europe and in concrete pavers (Semmelrock) in Central1East Europe. In pipe systems (Steinzeug1Keramo ceramic pipes and Pipelife plastic pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe. In 2011 Wienerberger generated revenues of 2,024 million and operating EBITDA of 259 million with 230 plants.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that brings together people of all races, nationalities and religions to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by building and improving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. An estimated 17,000 of these families are in Europe and Central Asia, where Habitat has been active since the 1990s. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitateurope.org.