Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups

FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of: April, 2004

Commission File Number : 001-15218

LAFARGE
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

61, rue des Belles Feuilles
75116 Paris
France
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F         Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes         No

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

Enclosures:

Press Release, dated April 28, 2004, relating to: Lafarge first quarter 2004 sales

Page 1 of 12 Total Pages

 

      PRESS RELEASE
   
Euronext: LG, NYSE: LR  Paris, April 28, 2004

 

Lafarge first quarter 2004 sales

• Sales rise 7.1% with increases in all divisions 
• Strong like-for-like sales growth of 11.7% 
 

Sales were up 7.1% to € 2,881 million as at March 31, 2004 compared to weak first quarter 2003 sales of € 2,691 million. The net scope effect was 0.8%. Negative foreign exchange variations impacted sales by 5.4%.

“We are pleased with this good start to the year, with increases in sales across all divisions. This level of activity is consistent with our expectation of robust growth in our operating income on ordinary activities for 2004, excluding currency fluctuations” said Bernard Kasriel, Chief Executive Officer of the Group.

The sales report for each division, excluding foreign exchange, scope effects, and before inter divisional sales elimination is as follows:

CEMENT: +12.9%

In Western Europe, France and Greece led the way with strong growth in domestic sales. Spain and Germany rose slightly with price rises offsetting some volume decline. The UK encountered somewhat difficult market conditions with moderate price pressure.

Sales in North America grew strongly compared to a very poor first quarter 2003. Favorable weather and strong demand in all regions generated high volume growth. Prices were slightly below those of the first quarter 2003.

Strong sales growth was recorded in the majority of other countries. Of particular note were Poland, Romania, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Venezuela, Nigeria, South Africa, the Philippines and India. Poor weather impacted Brazilian volumes.

AGGREGATES & CONCRETE: +11.4%

In Western Europe sales recovered strongly driven by higher aggregates and concrete volumes and prices in France and to a lesser degree in the UK.
In North America, strong aggregates volumes and prices and strong concrete volumes particularly in Western Canada and Eastern USA fueled a significant improvement in sales.

ROOFING: +6.0%

In Western Europe volumes for both concrete and clay tiles grew with the exception of Germany.
In the USA, sales continued to grow driven by the strength of the housing market.
Chimney sales rose significantly.

GYPSUM: +14.2%

In Western Europe, sales growth was strong, driven by a buoyant UK market and increasing prices in France, but partially offset by continued price pressure in Germany.

In the USA, sales grew significantly with continued strong demand from residential construction and a large price improvement. The average price in the quarter increased to $112 per thousand square feet.

In Asia and Australia, sales continued to grow favorably.

 

Page 2 of 12 Total Pages

 

NEGATIVE FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPACT OF -5.4% AMOUNTING TO € 129 MILLION

Major foreign currency translation impacts on sales were generated in the following currencies: US Dollar (€ 57 million), Malaysian Ringgit (€ 12 million), and the Nigerian Naira (€ 8 million).

SCOPE CHANGES OF +0.8% AMOUNTING TO € 25 MILLION

Sales from acquisitions amounted to a positive scope effect of € 70 million largely due to the increase in our percentage ownership of Lafarge Halla Cement to 50.1%, triggering a change in accounting treatment, from the proportional to global method. This change led to an increase in sales of € 39 million. The reduction in sales due to negative scope totaled € 45 million primarily as a result of the divestment of our Florida cement operations in 2003 amounting to € 23 million.

CONSOLIDATED SALES AS AT MARCH 31, 2004
      March 31, 2004
€ Million		     March 31, 2003
€ Million		     Variation     At constant scope and foreign exchange     At constant scope and foreign exchange, before inter divisional sales elimination  
Cement     1,390     1,299     +7.0 %   +12.8 %   +12.9 %
Aggregates & Concrete
     854     795     +7.4 %   +11.2 %   +11.4 %
Roofing     289     279     +3.5 %   +6.0 %   +6.0 %
Gypsum     332     295     +12.5 %   +13.9 %   +14.2 %
Others     16     23     -30.4 %   +7.0 %      
TOTAL     2,881     2,691     +7.1 %   +11.7 %   NA  

Lafarge, the world leader in building materials, holds top-ranking positions in all four of its Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge employs 75,000 people in 75 countries and posted sales of €13.6 billion in 2003. Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com.

Lafarge’s annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on May 25, 2004.
Lafarge’s next financial publication – 2004 half year sales – will be on July 22, 2004 (before the Euronext stock market opens.)

For release worldwide with simultaneous release in the United States.

COMMUNICATIONS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
   
Stéphanie Tessier: 33-1 44-34-92-32
stephanie.tessier@lafarge.com		 James Palmer: 33-1 44-34-92-93
james.palmer@lafarge.com
 
Philippe Hardouin: 33-1 44-34-11-71
philippe.hardouin@lafarge.com		 Danièle Daouphars: 33-1 44-34-92-93
daniele.daouphars@lafarge.com
 

Page 3 of 12 Total Pages

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our expected operating income, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Factors"), which are difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company's business; national and regional economic conditions in the countries in which the Group does business; currency fluctuations; seasonal nature of the Company’s operations; levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand structure of the industry; competition from new or existing competitors; unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and implementation of environmental and other governmental regulations; our ability to successfully identify, complete and efficiently integrate acquisitions; our ability to successfully penetrate new markets; and other Factors disclosed in the Company's public filings with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers and the US Securities and Exchange Commission including its Reference Document and annual report on Form 20-F. In general, the Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties of the construction industry and of doing business throughout the world. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Conference Call on First Quarter Sales to March 31, 2004
Following the release of Lafarge’s sales to March 31, 2004, a conference call will be held on:
April 28th, 2004 at 15:30 French time, in English
(14:30 UK time; 09:30AM EDT in North America)
The speakers will be:
Jean-Jacques Gauthier – Executive Vice President, Finance
James Palmer – Vice-President Investor Relations
Danièle Daouphars – Manager Investor Relations

If you wish to participate in the conference call, please dial:
From France +33 (0) 1 56 38 35 35
From UK +44 (0) 20 8515 2313
From USA +1 303 262 2175
From USA toll free +1 800 366 74 49
Conference call name: “Lafarge”

A replay of the conference call will be available from April 28th, 2004 at 7.30 pm French time to May 6th, 2004 at 7.30 pm at the following numbers:
From France +33 (0) 1 70 99 32 94 Access code: 132466#
From UK +44 (0) 20 8797 2499 Access code: 984446#
From USA +1 303 590 3000 Access code: 576245#

 

Page 4 of 12 Total Pages

Consolidated Figures

Sales            
(Millions of euros) 2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03  
 
 
 
 
By geographical zone of destination            
             
   Western Europe 1,348   1,283   5 %
   Central and Eastern Europe 111   90   23 %
   Emerging Mediterranean 104   95   9 %
   North America 579   575   1 %
   Latin America & the Caribbean 145   146   -1 %
   Sub Saharan Africa/Indian Ocean/Others 255   205   24 %
   Asia /Pacific 339   297   14 %
             
By business line            
             
   Cement 1,390   1,299   7 %
   Aggregates & Concrete 854   796   7 %
   Roofing 289   279   4 %
   Gypsum 332   295   13 %
   Others 16   22   -27 %
   Total 2,881   2,691   7 %
 

 

Page 5 of 12 Total Pages

Cement

Volumes by destination (adjusted for the contributions of our proportionaly consolidated subsidaries)  
(millions of tonnes)                
  2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03      
 
 
 
     
                 
   Western Europe 6.9   6.6   5 %    
   Central and Eastern Europe 1.5   1.1   36 %    
   Emerging Mediterranean 2.0   1.8   11 %    
   North America 3.0   2.7   11 %    
   Latin America & the Caribbean 1.6   1.5   7 %    
   Sub Saharan Africa/ Indian Ocean 2.9   2.6   12 %    
   Asia/Pacific 6.7   5.3   26 %    
   
   Total 24.6   21.6   14 %    
   
                 
Sales after elimination of inter divisional sales by geographical zone of destination                
(Millions of euros)                
  2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
              for like  
 
 
 
 
 
   Western Europe 486   471   3 %    
   Central and Eastern Europe 67   49   37 %    
   Emerging Mediterranean 85   79   8 %    
   North America 194   212   -8 %    
   Latin America & the Caribbean 96   99   -3 %    
   Sub Saharan Africa/Indian ocean/Others 208   175   19 %    
   Asia/Pacific 254   214   19 %    
   Total consolidated sales 1,390   1,299   7 % 12.8 %
                 
Sales before elimination of inter divisional sales by origin                
(Millions of euros)                 
  2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
              for like  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
   Western Europe 548   524   5 %    
   Central and Eastern Europe 64   53   21 %    
   Emerging Mediterranean 84   71   18 %    
   North America 221   242   -9 %    
   Latin America & the Caribbean 111   112   -1 %    
   Sub Saharan Africa/Indian ocean/Others 233   202   15 %    
   Asia/Pacific 250   208   20 %    
   Total before elimination of inerdivisional sales 1,511   1,412   7 % 12.9 %
 

 

Page 6 of 12 Total Pages

Aggregates & Concrete

Volumes by destination (adjusted for the contributions of our proportionaly consolidated subsidiaries)       
                 
Aggregates   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03      
(millions of tonnes)  
 
 
     
                   
      Western Europe   18.2   16.8   8 %    
      North America   17.5   14.0   25 %    
      Other countries   3.9   3.3   18 %    
     
      Total   39.6   34.1   16 %    
     
                   
Concrete   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03      
(millions of cbm)  
 
 
     
                   
      Western Europe   3.5   3.3   6 %    
      North America   2.1   1.8   17 %    
      Other countries   2.1   2.1   0 %    
     
      Total   7.7   7.2   7 %    
     
                   
Sales after elimination of inter divisional sales by geographical zone of destination                   
(Millions of euros)   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
                for like  
   
 
 
 
 
                   
Aggregates & related products 327   295   11 %    
Ready-mix concrete & concrete products 527   501   5 %    
                   
Total Aggregates & Concrete 854   796   7 % 11.2 %
   
 
 
 
 
      of which Western Europe 444   418   6 %    
         " North America 299   279   7 %    
         " Other countries 111   98   13 %    
                   
Sales before elimination of inter divisional sales by origin                
(Millions of euros)   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
                for like  
   
 
 
 
 
                   
Aggregates & related products 331   298   11 %    
Ready-mix concrete & concrete products 528   501   5 %    
                   
Total Aggregates & Concrete (bef elim of inter-comp. sales) 859   799   7 % 11.4 %
   
 
 
 
 
      of which Western Europe 445   421   6 %    
         " North America 300   280   7 %    
         " other countries 113   98   15 %    
 

 

Page 7 of 12 Total Pages

Roofing
Volumes by destination (adjusted for the contributions of our proportionally consolidated subsidiaries)       
                   
    2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03      
   
 
 
     
                   
Concrete roof tiles (millions of m²)                
   Western Europe   11.5   11.3   1.8 %    
   North America   5.3   4.4   20.5 %    
   other countries   9.2   8.0   15.0 %    
                   
Clay roof tiles (millions of m²)                
   Western Europe   5.1   4.8   6.3 %    
   other countries   0.1   0.3   -66.7 %    
                   
Chimneys (kms) 568   479   18.6 %    
                   
Sales (after elimination of inter-divisional sales by destination)           
(Millions of Euros)   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
                for like  
   
 
 
 
 
   Total   289   279   3.6 % 6.0 %
   Western Europe   216   212   1.9 %    
  Germany 64   65   -1.5 %    
  Other countries 152   147   3.4 %    
   Other countries   73   67   9.0 %    
                   
Sales (before elimination of inter divisional sales by origin)                  
(Millions of Euros)   2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
                for like  
   
 
 
 
 
   Total   289   279   3.6 % 6.0 %
   of which concrete roof tiles Western Europe 96   95   1.1 %    
      " North America 25   24   4.2 %    
  Other countries 23   22   4.5 %    
   of which clay roof tiles   51   50   2.0 %    
   of which chimneys (1)   33   29   13.8 %    
   of which other roofing products 61   59   3.4 %    

(1) Including the "other roofing products" of the Chimney business.

Page 8 of 12 Total Pages

Gypsum

Volumes of gypsum wallboard (adjusted for the contributions of our proportionally consolidated subsidiaries)
(millions of m²) 2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03      
 
 
 
     
                 
Total 167   151   10.7 %    
                 
Sales (after elimination of inter-divisional sales by destination)                
(Millions of euros) 2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
              for like  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
   Total 332   295   12.5 % 13.9 %
   of which Western Europe 192   175   9.7 %    
   of which North America 59   53   11.3 %    
   of which other countries 81   67   20.9 %    
                 
Sales (before elimination of inter divisional sales by origin)                
(Millions of euros)  2004Q1   2003Q1   04/03   Like  
              for like  
 
 
 
 
 
                 
   Total 334   297   12.5 % 14.2 %
   of which Western Europe 199   181   9.9 %    
   of which North America 59   53   11.3 %    
   of which other countries 76   63   20.6 %    

 

Page 9 of 12 Total Pages

Ytd Sales variance analysis by region and in major markets*
      Price, product,      
  Volume effect   customer & other mix   Activity variation  
  %   effect   vs 2003 %  
      %      
      CEMENT            
Western Europe 4.2   1.6   5.8  
   France 8.7   1.7   10.4  
   UK -1.1   -2.7   -3.8  
   Spain -1.3   3.2   1.9  
   Germany -0.6   1.6   1.0  
   Greece 10.4   4.9   15.3  
Central Europe 17.0   12.2   29.2  
   Poland 43.5   -12.7   30.8  
   Romania 23.0   19.2   42.2  
   Russie 4.5   45.9   50.4  
   Serbie 2.8   16.5   19.3  
Mediterranean Basin 21.9   18.1   40.0  
   Turkey 51.9   71.4   123.3  
   Morocco 13.3   -7.2   6.1  
   Jordan 42.1   10.1   52.2  
   Egypt -17.9   68.6   50.7  
North America 17.5   -3.8 (1) 13.7  
Latin America, Caraibs 1.1   -0.4   0.7  
   Brazil -14.2   0.7   -13.5  
   Venezuela 64.7   12.6   77.3  
   Chile 1.7   -3.0   -1.3  
Africa, Indian ocean 23.7   13.7   37.4  
   Kenya 2.2   5.0   7.2  
   Nigeria 27.8   29.0   56.8  
   South Africa 41.2   11.9   53.1  
Asia Pacific 7.6   6.9   14.5  
   Indonesia 2.4   2.8   5.2  
   Malaysia 8.8   -3.8   5.0  
   Philippines 1.1   39.4   40.5  
   India 16.0   9.5   25.5  
   South Korea 5.1   -6.8   -1.7  
             
Total CEMENT 9.4   3.5   12.9  
(1) North America : Pure price effect - 1%, the remainder being mainly regional mix related
   
* Variance on like for like sales before elimination of sales between Divisions

Page 10 of 12 Total Pages

 

Ytd Sales variance analysis by region and in major markets.*

      Price, product,      
  Volume effect   customer & other mix   Activity variation  
  %   effect   vs 2003 %  
      %      
AGGREGATES            
   France 9.6   1.0   10.6  
   UK (Pure Aggregates) 1.3   2.1   3.4  
   North America (Pure Aggregates) 22.3   2.8   25.1  
             
Total Aggregates 14.5   -2.6   11.9  
             
             
CONCRETE            
   France 6.6   3.2   9.8  
   UK 2.7   4.1   6.8  
   North America 10.5   -0.3   10.2  
             
Total CONCRETE 8.4   2.2   10.6  
             
             
ROOFING            
Western Europe Concrete T&F 2.7   -0.3   2.4  
Western Europe Clay T&F 3.7   -2.1   1.6  
   UK            
      Concrete 3.1   -0.7   2.4  
      Clay 11.7   -3.6   8.1  
   France            
      Concrete 5.0   -0.2   4.8  
      Clay 11.0   0.7   11.7  
   Germany            
      Concrete -0.6   0.1   -0.5  
      Clay -4.5   -3.4   -7.9  
United States (Concrete) 20.7   -2.4   18.3  
             
Chimneys 18.8   -3.4   15.4  
Accessories     2.4   2.4  
             
Total ROOFING         6.0  
             
             
GYPSUM            
BOARDS            
Western Europe 6.6   2.2   8.8  
North America 10.9   19.0   29.9  
Asia / Pacific 11.1   -3.4   7.7  
             
TOTAL GYPSUM         14.2  

* Variance on like for like sales before elimination of sales between Divisions

Page 11 of 12 Total Pages

 

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date April 28, 2004 Lafarge
  (Registrant)
       
  By:   /s/ Jean-Pierre Cloiseau
  Name:   Jean-Pierre Cloiseau
  Title:   Senior Vice President, Finance

Page 12 of 12 Total Pages