For US cement producers, happy days are almost here again with much more cause for optimism in 2014 compared to the previous eight years. As the PCA’s chief economist, Ed Sullivan, explains, the improving outlook is based on the emerging trends for the economy and construction activity as the housing-led recovery starts to become more widespread. By Ed Sullivan, PCA, USA.
The PCA expects US volume growth this year equal to 2012 levels – yielding eight per cent growth in consumption in 2014. When considering the reasons for the optimism, the actual figure is less important than the longer-term fundamentals which reflect the upside potential of this optimistic outlook.
