Cement News tagged under: Kenya

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EAPCC reports net loss for FY19-20

02 November 2020, Published under Cement News

Kenya-based East African Portland Cement Co (EAPCC) has reported a net loss of KES2.77bn (US$25.46m) for the year ending 30 June 2020, an improvement compared to the KES3.36bn loss in the previous fiscal year. Revenue for the year declined 13 per cent YoY to KES2.47bn from KES2.85bn. "Revenue for the year declined by 13 per cent owing to the increased competition that created a downward pressure on retail prices," said the company. EAPCC offered its employees a voluntary retirement progr...

National Cement starts supplying Rwandan market

02 November 2020, Published under Cement News

National Cement of Kenya has introduced its Simba brand into the Rwandan cement market having seen strong demand for infrastructure in the country, including a new airport in Bugesera.  The Kenyan producer is supplying cement importers from its recently-opened Nakuru plant, which is approximately 500km from the Rwandan border. "The Rwandan market is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Since the government of Rwanda is implementing and supporting several projects, the shor...

Kenya cement consumption sees 8M20 record high

13 October 2020, Published under Cement News

Kenya's cement consumption for the 8M20 has hit a decade-high of 4.37Mt, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Consumption rose by 11 per cent form the 3.95Mt recorded in the same period a year earlier. Kenyan cement consumption has not passed 4.18Mt since 2016 and the rise in 2020 comes during the disruptions of COVID-19. Small-scale construction projects were largely unaffected in Kenya by the pandemic and restrictions imposed in March 2020. Cement consumption in J...

EAPC restructuring enters final phase

03 September 2020, Published under Cement News

The restructuring of East African Portland Cement Co (EAPC)’s human resources in Kenya is entering its final phase with 270 employees seeing their permanent contracts converted to contract terms. Speaking during a consultative meeting with the permanent staff, the acting MD, Stephen Nthei, said the strategic objective is to reduce administrative costs as outlined in the turnaround strategy adopted by the board and to comply with regulations outlined by the State Corporations Advisory Commit...

Bamburi Cement sees surge in profit before tax

28 August 2020, Published under Cement News

Kenya’s Bamburi Cement has announced a 15 per cent YoY decline in turnover to KES16.23bn (US$150m) for the first half of 2020, against KES18.66bn in the 1H19. However, the company saw a surge in profit before tax to KES213m from KES23m in January-June 2019.

East African Portland Cement meets distributors amidst falling demand

10 August 2020, Published under Cement News

The East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) of Kenya is enhancing dealer and distributor incentives to push cement sales during the pandemic. CEO, Stephen Nthei, met with distributors in a tour of Nyandarau county to set a strategy and look to understand the challenges facing distributors and customers. "COVID-19 has had quite an impact in sales of cement. But we are seeing a bounce back as businesses start requesting for orders," Nthei said. "Dealers and distributors will get more in...

East Africa: keeping the lights on

28 July 2020, Published under Cement News

With overcapacity and pricing pressures weighing in on the east African cement industry, cement producers are setting their sights on the return of strong demand by 2023. In the meantime, will they prepare by taking up a stronger position, possibly through industry consolidation? By Standard Investment Bank, Kenya. The Tanzanian cement industry is expected to see an improving landscape from 2021 The East African Community (EAC) recorded real GDP growth of 5.9 per cent in 2019, s...

The dangers of debt

13 July 2020, Published under Cement News

In this month’s Technical Forum, Dr Michael Clark considers how the history of the Kenyan cement industry can serve as a case study for some of the dos and don’ts of the sector. Going forward, impaired sales performances may increase company debt levels but this is far from the only reason why debt can be easily accrued. ARM Cement fell into bankruptcy after building up debt through an ambitious expansion programme and then being hit by both a demand contraction and price war in 20...

Bamburi Cement donates KES15.6m in the fight against COVID-19

13 July 2020, Published under Cement News

Bamburi Cement (LafargeHoldim group) has donated KES15.6m (US$145,600) in the fight against coronavirus to the Kenyan government's COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. KES5m of the donation is a direct cash contribution for immediate assistance, KES5.2m is directed at personal protective equipment (PPE) and KES2.4m will support communities in Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Kwale and Kjiado which need water tanks for  hand washing, face masks and hand sanitisers. A further KES3m is set aside for f...

African cement escapes the pandemic; structural issues remain

05 June 2020, Published under Cement News

Cemtech's latest webinar discussed Africa's cement sector and the impact of COVID-19 on the continent. Tony Hadley of consultancy THAA, and Erkam Kocakerim, CEO of Limak Afrika SA, covered several areas of concern from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies and cement demand to overcapacity and competition issues, while also providing a long-term outlook for the continent. Thomas Armstrong, Managing Editor of International Cement Review, opened the webinar with an overview of the ...