Companies

Dumez

Created in 1890

Chasma dam in Pakistan

From metal frames to reinforced concrete (1890-1944)

In 1890, the year Gustave Eiffel finished building the tower named after him, Alexandre Dumez created a company specialised in metal frames. The first world war forced the company to refocus on reinforced concrete. This decision was strengthened with the arrival of Pierre Chaufour, soon joined by his brother André, to head the company. Under their leadership, the Dumez company acquired a lasting foothold in Africa.

The breakthrough (1944-1972)
Thanks to the post-war boom and the surge in housing, the company recorded strong growth in metropolitan France. Even so, Dumez's most spectacular achievements were in Africa and soon afterwards in other continents. The Nebeur dam in Tunisia became a symbol of national pride, the Dokan dam in Iraq strengthened Dumez's international reputation, and with the Hendrik Verwoerd site, Dumez broke existing records in dam construction

A powerful group (1972 -2000)
Organised around several strong subsidiaries, the Dumez group did not suffer from the recession and won several prestigious contracts, including the Yamoussoukro basilica, the new Ministry of Finance in Paris, and the Grand Louvre. Dumez acquired an interest in Chantiers Modernes and, in 1989, bought CFE, the historical leader of the Belgian construction market. Dumez merged with Lyonnaise des Eaux and with GTM, before joining the VINCI group.