On the same day it was announced that Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Cement Co. parent company HeidelbergCement of Germany had finalized its $15.8 billion acquisition of Hanson plc — the largest aggregates producer in the world — the company announced the retirement of CEO and President Helmut Erhard (pictured above), who is also a member of the managing board of HeidelbergCement, effective December 31.

Erhard assumed leadership of Lehigh and its North American operations in early 2000. He spearheaded a concerted strategic plan that optimized Lehigh's geographic and product portfolio, and expanded cement production capacity by installing modern technology. In particular, the $300 million-plus investment in a new plant in Maryland, the largest cement kiln of its kind in North America, was a milestone and strengthened Lehigh's position in the marketplace. Under Erhard's tenure, Lehigh's annual revenues doubled to $3.1 billion, about 26% of HeidelbergCement's worldwide total. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Portland Cement Association and the Board of the German American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia and New York.

Dr. Albert Scheuer, member of the HeidelbergCement Group Managing Board, will succeed Erhard as Lehigh's CEO and President on January 1, 2008. Currently, he serves as executive vice president. His prior position was COO of HeidelbergCement's fast-growing businesses in China, with headquarters in Guangzhou. In addition to managing Lehigh in Canada and the United States, Scheuer will play a key role in the integration of the Hanson assets in North America into the Lehigh Cement structure.

About half of Hanson's assets are located in the United States and Canada. With the conclusion of this transaction, Lehigh's annual revenues in the United States and Canada will total approximately $ 7.5 billion. Lehigh will rank Number 4 in cement, Number 3 in aggregates and Number 2 in ready mixed concrete in the United States and Canada. The company will grow from about 5,500 employees to more than 20,000.