CNBM International, a subsidiary of the giant China National Building Materials Corporation (CNBM), is a prominent cement plant equipment and engineering company. The business has undertaken the construction of more than 50 turnkey cement lines to date and is now carving out a niche for itself serving projects in the Middle East and Africa. ICR met up with Mr Liao Zhang, VP of CNBM International, at its offices in Beijing, to learn more about this dynamic company.
Majority state-owned, listed on the Fortune 500 and boasting a turnover of CNY220bn (US$35.9bn) in 2012, the CNBM Group is a veritable behemoth of a company. CNBM Group manages a diverse portfolio of assets, mostly related to the building materials sector, and the company counts itself as the largest producer of cement, concrete and gypsum in the world.
China National Building Materials & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CBMIE) is the main international business platform of the CNBM Group, operating as an integrated supplier of engineering services, equipment and materials for the building materials sector. CNBM International operates within this division, specialising in the supply of complete cement plants to the worldwide cement industry.
With revenues estimated at CNY2.5bn (US$410m) in 2012, CNBM International is emerging as a significant competitor, geographically-focussed and keen to differentiate itself from its fellow Chinese and international peers. The company has established offices in Jordan, Yemen, Libya and Saudi Arabia, reflecting its dedicated focus to the Middle East and Africa.
