Today, Glencore is one of the largest global diversified natural resource commodity companies in the world, producing and trading more than 90 commodities.

How we started

We were founded in 1974 as Marc Rich + Co AG; we initially focused on the physical marketing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and minerals and crude oil. Shortly afterwards, we expanded into oil products.

In 1981, we acquired an established Dutch grain trading company, which was the basis for our agricultural products business; later that year we added coal to our energy products segment.

Diversifying through the value chain

From 1987, we began to diversify from purely marketing and trading, through key acquisitions in mining, smelting, refining and processing. We made our first equity investment in an industrial asset when we acquired 27% of the Mt. Holly aluminium smelter in the US. This was followed by our first controlling interest in an industrial asset in 1988: a 66.7% interest in a zinc/lead mine in Peru.

We acquired a stake in Xstrata (then Sudelektra AG) in 1990. We were renamed Glencore International in 1994 following a management buyout.

Becoming a listed company

We listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges in 2011 and on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2013.

Glencore plc is a leading integrated commodity producer and trader, operating worldwide. Our unique business model covers diverse products, activities and locations all along the commodity chain.

Our business covers over 90 commodities encompassing metals & minerals, energy products and agricultural products as well as related marketing and logistics activities.

Metals & Minerals

These businesses include copper, zinc & lead, nickel, ferroalloys, alumina & aluminium and iron ore production and marketing. We have interests in both controlled and non-controlled industrial assets that include mining, smelting, refining and warehousing operations.

Energy Products

These businesses cover industrial and marketing activities for coal and oil, including controlled and non-controlled coal mining and oil production operations, and investments in strategic handling, storage and freight equipment and facilities.

Agriculture

This business is focused on grain, oilseeds products, sugar, pulses and cotton. The Agriculture business is supported by both controlled and non-controlled storage, handling and processing facilities in strategic locations.

Our diversified operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical, oil production and agricultural assets. Our industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries. We employ around 155,000 people, including contractors.

We trade in and distribute physical commodities sourced from third party producers as well as our own production. We also provide financing, processing, storage, logistics and other services to commodity producers and consumers.

Glencore plc
Baarermattstrasse 3
CH-6340 Baar
Switzerland
Tel: +41 41 709 2000
Fax: +41 41 709 3000

Email: General information

Corporate communications

Charles Watenphul
Tel: +41 41 709 2462
Email: Charles Watenphul

Glencore UK Ltd
Tel: +44 20 7629 3800

Pam Bell
Dir: +44 20 7412 3471
Mobile: + 44 7730 319 806
Email: Pam Bell

Institutional investors and analysts:

Martin Fewings
Investor relations
Office: +41 41 709 2880
Email: Martin Fewings

Carlos Francisco Fernandez
Investor Relations
Office: +41 41 709 23 69
Email: Carlos Francisco Fernandez

Corporate sustainability

For queries relating to sustainability:
Tel: +41 41 709 2000

Anna Krutikov
Tel: +41 41 709 3426
Email: Anna Krutikov