The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) organised a mission to Georgia on 29–30 June 2026 to meet with its affiliate, the Georgian Constructors and Foresters Independent Trade Union (GCFITU). The delegation was led by BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and BWI Europe Regional Representative Geneviève Kalina.

Together with GCFITU, the BWI delegation met with the management of the former Heidelberg Materials cement plant in Rustavi, which has been operated by Hunnewell Cement since 2024. Located about 20 kilometres southeast of the capital, Tbilisi, in the Kvemo Kartli region, the plant is one of the country's key cement production facilities. Union representatives from the plant also participated in the meeting. The Hunnewell Cement operates a full-cycle cement plant in Kaspi, a cement mill in Poti, two aggregate production facilities, a cement terminal in Supsa, and seven stationary and nine mobile concrete plants across Georgia. Heidelberg Materials operated in Georgia from 2006 to 2024 before transferring ownership to Hunnewell Cement.

Since the acquisition, Hunnewell Cement has invested in upgrading both plants, including the installation of a new dry-process production line in Rustavi and the modernisation of its Kaspi facility, making it one of the most advanced cement plants in the region. The company supplies cement and concrete to nearly every major construction project in Georgia and remains the country's only clinker producer. Its portfolio includes landmark projects such as Axis Towers, the 20,000-seat Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, the Kvesheti–Kobi Road and Tunnel Project, which required up to 400,000 tonnes of cement, and the Rikoti section of the E60 Highway, for which it supplied more than one million tonnes of cement.

The meeting in Rustavi provided an opportunity for BWI to discuss social dialogue, decent working conditions, occupational health and safety, skills development, and the inclusion of women and young workers. Although Hunnewell Cement has retained much of the experienced workforce from Heidelberg Materials, management emphasised the importance of attracting younger workers through digitalisation, training, and workforce development initiatives. The company currently employs around 1,200 direct workers and more than 5,000 additional workers through contractors and subcontractors.

The mission also reviewed GCFITU's recent participation in the BWI GOA event in Kyrgyzstan and its contribution to building a vibrant regional network of trade union organisers committed to strengthening representative unions across the Pan-European region. Discussions also focused on organising strategies in BWI sectors, with particular attention to white-collar employees and migrant workers. The delegation also discussed collective bargaining, subcontracting practices, and the importance of mapping and researching upcoming construction projects in Georgia as part of future organising efforts. The meeting also explored opportunities for continued cooperation between BWI and GCFITU in 2027.

Looking ahead, Georgia will co-host the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029 alongside Armenia, marking the first time that two countries in the region will jointly host a FIFA tournament of this scale. The event is expected to generate significant construction activity and presents important opportunities for trade union organising and worker engagement across the sector.