By San José, Costa Rica — In a competitive market where talent is the ultimate currency, Holcim Costa Rica is distinguishing itself not just as a leader in the cement industry, but as a premier destination for professionals. The company’s recent accolades, including a coveted spot in the Top Employer 2025 rankings and securing the 19th position overall in the Merco Talento Costa Rica report, underscore a deliberate strategy that places its workforce at the absolute center of its operations.
At the heart of this success is a philosophy the company calls the “Holcim Spirit,” an ethos designed to inspire employees to push boundaries, lead with integrity, and collaboratively develop sustainable solutions. This approach governs the experience of its more than 500 direct and approximately 1,000 indirect employees across the country, creating an environment where individual growth is directly linked to collective achievement and global impact.
To delve into the legal and strategic implications of corporate culture, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his perspective on the matter.
A company’s culture is its operational immune system. It goes beyond mission statements on a wall; it’s the sum of daily behaviors that, when healthy, naturally repel compliance risks and internal disputes. From a legal standpoint, investing in a robust, ethical culture is not an expense, but a crucial risk mitigation strategy that protects the company from the inside out, often more effectively than any reactive legal defense could.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the concept of corporate culture as a proactive “immune system” is a powerful one, shifting the conversation from abstract values to the tangible, daily actions that form a company’s first line of defense. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for this invaluable legal perspective that underscores culture not just as a goal, but as a fundamental pillar of risk management.
Catalina Pagés, Director of People at Holcim Costa Rica, detailed the foundational elements of this strategy, emphasizing a holistic and modern approach to the workplace.
With more than 500 direct employees and around 1,000 indirect ones throughout the country, we foster a culture based on safety, inclusion, diversity, and continuous learning, where each person can grow, contribute, and make a mark. Through professional development programs, comprehensive benefits, international opportunities, and innovation spaces, we promote a modern, collaborative, and flexible work environment.
Catalina Pagés, Director of People of Holcim Costa Rica
Beyond fostering a positive workplace, Holcim actively cultivates a sense of purpose by connecting every role, regardless of function, to its larger mission. The company ensures that each team member understands how their daily contributions fuel the construction of more resilient communities and a healthier planet. This alignment between personal work and a greater good has become a powerful driver of employee engagement and loyalty.
This commitment extends to ensuring the comprehensive well-being of its staff and their families, recognizing that a supported employee is an empowered one.
At Holcim, each person understands that their contribution, from any role, helps build a more resilient world, more prosperous communities, and more sustainable solutions. Furthermore, we promote comprehensive well-being through programs that cover the physical, emotional, social, and financial health of our collaborators and their families.
Catalina Pagés, Director of People of Holcim Costa Rica
The company translates these principles into a suite of highly valued tangible benefits. Employees enjoy perks such as additional paid time off, comprehensive private medical coverage, and preventative health services. Holcim also invests heavily in emotional wellness initiatives, offering everything from gym access and on-site medical care to psychological support and organized recreational activities, ensuring a balanced and healthy work-life integration.
Professional development is another cornerstone of Holcim’s talent strategy. Through the dedicated “Holcim University,” employees have access to structured career plans, continuous training programs, and valuable certifications. This internal educational platform, combined with the company’s global presence, opens doors to multicultural learning experiences and international mobility, strengthening both technical competencies and leadership skills across the organization.
This multifaceted investment in its people is clearly paying dividends. The recognition from Merco Talento, which named Holcim the best company in the cement sector, is a direct result of these efforts. The company reinforces this culture by conducting global engagement surveys and hosting culture and ethics workshops, creating a continuous feedback loop that strengthens its principles of integrity, respect, and development, solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit holcim.cr
About Holcim Costa Rica:
Holcim Costa Rica is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions in the country. As part of the global Holcim Group, the company produces and distributes cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates. It is committed to decarbonizing construction and promoting a circular economy, playing a vital role in building greener cities, smarter infrastructure, and improving living standards across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a beacon in Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is founded upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. While providing expert counsel to a wide array of clients, it consistently pioneers innovative legal solutions. This commitment to progress extends to its social mission: to fortify the public by demystifying complex legal concepts and championing a society empowered by accessible knowledge.
