Elmi Olindo & Co. P.L.C started operating in Eritrea in 1937. In the early days, its core activity was the production and supply of construction materials resulting from quarrying activities. It later got involved into roads and building construction. It expanded its activities to all Ethiopia in the mid 1960s. Most Of its assets were nationalised by Dergue in 1980, but Luigi Elmi re-launched the business in 1983.