How Lafarge’s CEO Went From Holcim Merger Architect to Obstacle

In less than a year, Lafarge SA Chief Executive Officer Bruno Lafont has gone from celebrated co-architect of the world’s biggest cement merger to one of the deal’s main obstacles.

Holcim Ltd., which in April agreed to a $40 billion merger with Lafarge, is pushing for an executive other than Lafont to lead the new entity, according to people familiar with the matter. The Swiss company is questioning his ability to reach savings targets because Holcim has outperformed Lafarge on everything from sales to profit since the deal was announced, they said. Lafont and Holcim managers have also clashed over issues including strategy, they said.