Thomas Schmidheiny is a Swiss businessman, the billionaire Patriarch and former Chairman of Holcim (formerly LafargeHolcim) (SIX: HOLN), the world's largest cement manufacturer. His wealth is generational, tied to the industrial empire founded by his great-uncle, Ernst Schmidheiny, in 1912.

Schmidheiny holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from ETH Zurich and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His philosophical approach centers on generational stewardship, industrial scale, and long-term commitment to building materials and sustainability. His career, like his family's, is marked by the controversy surrounding the use of asbestos by the former Eternit Group.

• Holcim (Former Chairman & Major Shareholder): The core publicly traded asset, the largest cement manufacturer globally (a key player in global construction).
• Industrial Focus: His success is built on scale manufacturing and dominating the domestic and international market for essential construction materials.
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from Wharton and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from ETH Zurich.
• Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in industrial assets and resource control.

Thomas Schmidheiny's strategic leadership guided Holcim's transformation into a global market leader. He assumed executive roles and successfully expanded the company's focus globally, culminating in the 2015 merger with Lafarge to create the largest cement producer in the world. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the scale consolidation and modernization of the global building materials sector.

He later stepped down from the executive board (remaining a major shareholder and patriarch). His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global construction materials and industrial sectors.

Thomas Schmidheiny's social impact stems from Holcim's role as a massive global employer and provider of essential building materials for construction worldwide. His personal foundations support various initiatives in education, social welfare, and sustainability. He has also supported efforts toward sustainable construction practices and environmental protection.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Thomas Schmidheiny maintains the professional, composed style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the global industrial sector.

Residing in Switzerland, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to corporate governance, strategic investment, and industrial scale.