Jean-François Empain is one of the most influential and important French industrialists of the 20th century. As president of the successful companies Cemex and Air Liquide, Empain was a visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized the business world.
Jean-François Empain was born in Givors, France in 1951. He graduated from the Ecole Centrale de Paris in 1974 and quickly embarked on an illustrious career as a business leader. Empain rose to prominence in the early 1980s when then-president of Cemex, Albert Frère, tapped him to become the company's president and CEO. Cemex was a steel and construction materials manufacturer and producer of cement and concrete. Under his leadership, he made the company a leader in European rail construction. Empain also restructured the company by selling off assets to reduce debt and to reinvest capital into new ventures.
Empain’s success at Cemex paved the way for his 1981 appointment as President and CEO of the chemical engineering firm, Air Liquide. Again, Empain was able to restructure and expand the company. It has since become one of the world's top industrial gasses companies and one of the most profitable in the world.
Outside of his business activities, Jean-François Empain was also an advocate for the energy industry. He was a member of the European Union Energy Council and was active in the development of new energy technologies such as solar power. He also believed in developing technologies for economic development and was an advocate for increased private investment in emerging markets.
Jean-François Empain left an indelible mark on the business world. He was a visionary leader, consistently innovating and restructuring the companies he lead in order to make them more efficient and profitable. His work with Cemex and Air Liquide have made both companies industry leaders in the respective industries. Moreover, Jean-François Empain helped to shape policy and perspectives in the energy industry, inspiring research and innovation. He was an innovator, builder, and leader whose impact on the business world has been long lasting.
