Cement News tagged under: UK

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UK: Votorantim interest in Tarmac

29 September 2014, Published under Cement News

Votorantim is understood to be planning a bid for a package of businesses being offloaded by Holcim and  Lafarge, in an effort to seal a GBP32bn mega-merger that would include Tarmac, one of Britain’s largest companies. It is not known whether the Sâo Paulo-based company wants to buy all the assets being sold or cherry-pick parts in different countries. The disposals are expected to attract offers from other big players, including Ireland’s CRH and HeidelbergCement. The sell-off, valued at...

MPA: positive 2Q14 sales point to second-half construction improvement

04 August 2014, Published under Cement News

Following the significant improvement in UK sales volumes of mineral products from mid-2013, the latest Mineral Products Association (MPA) data indicate further improvement in the first half of 2014. Compared to 2Q last year, crushed rock was the fastest growing market (up by nine per cent), whilst both asphalt and sand and gravel were four per cent higher. Ready mixed concrete sales fell 3.2 per cent over the period, but the decline should be viewed in the context of the very high volumes ...

Hanson plans Padeswood expansion, UK

30 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Hanson Cement has submitted plans for expansion of its packaging facilities at its Padeswood cement works in north Wales, UK. Just two years ago, the plant faced the threat of closure due to depressed construction levels. However the company decided to run the Padeswood works at half capacity in the hope the situation would improve. “We have three plants – one in Padeswood, one in Lancashire and one in Lincolnshire. We only really needed two and Padeswood would probably have been the one...

Hope invests GBP3.6m in new Mercedes-Benz truck fleet

21 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Hope Construction Materials, Britain’s leading independent supplier of construction materials, is bolstering its 300-strong concrete mixer fleet with 36 new Mercedes-Benz trucks involving an investment of GBP3.6m (EUR4.5m).   The trucks are Euro 6 compliant, built to the latest diesel engine emission legislation from the European Commission.   The state-of-the-art Arocs 3236 8x4 B11 4-axle mixer trucks, each equipped with a McPhee mixer system, represents a huge investment by the firm and de...

Holcim and Lafarge announce proposed asset disposals

07 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Two months after the announcement of their planned merger, Lafarge and Holcim have revealed the list of proposed divestments. In Europe the merged entity aims to have “a significant and balanced industrial base in Europe – around 20 per cent of its revenues – within its overall global footprint, enabling it to take advantage of the European economic recovery,” according to a joint statement. LafargeHolcim plans to sell Lafarge’s Mannersdorf works in Austria as well as the Lafarge Tarmac a...

LH Merger update: plants for sale

07 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Finally, exactly two months after the first official announcement of their 'merger of equals', Lafarge and Holcim clarify which plants are likely to be put up for sale. No surprises for those who've been following our coverage of the deal to date with divestments slated for Austria, France, Germany, Romania, Hungary and the UK in Europe; Canada - but not the USA - in north America; Brazil in Latin America; Philippines in Asia; Reunion and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean... We summarise the...

Housebuilding boosts UK construction growth

04 July 2014, Published under Cement News

UK construction has grown at its fastest annual pace in four months during June 2014 led by an increase in housebuilding, a survey has suggested. The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector rose to 62.6 in June from 60.0 in May, its highest level since February and well above the forecast for a fall to 59.5. The reading beat analysts' forecasts for a fall to 59.5. A measure above 50 indicates growth in the sector. "(This) represents a remarkable yardstick of prog...

LafargeHolcim merger: implications for western Europe

27 June 2014, Published under Cement News

While the proposed Lafarge-Holcim (LH) merger is widely being regarded as a good fit for the two companies, satisfying competition authorities in a number of key markets where operations overlap is critical for the deal to proceed. In western Europe, the LH tie-up could accelerate the restructuring process already underway by the cement industry to improve regional businesses and any disposals required by the two groups are likely to be surmountable. To satisfy regulatory requirements Lafar...

UK: environment agency approves Cemex recycling plant

13 June 2014, Published under Cement News

The UK Environment Agency (UKEA) has given the go-ahead for a solid fuel recyling unit to supply Cemex's Rugby cement plant in Warwickshire. Work is expected to start later this summer with recycling firm SITA UK set to run the plant, first proposed six years ago, on behalf of Cemex. Climafuel, as it the secondary fuel is known, is a solid waste-based fuel made from paper and cardboard, wood, carpet and textiles that cannot be recycled. The UKEA has said it would issue an environmental per...

UK: Hope chairman wins regional Institute of Directors award

13 June 2014, Published under Cement News

Amit Bhatia, chairman of Hope Construction Materials, has been crowned Young Director of the Year for London and the South East, alongside Ross Williams, CEO of Global Personals, at the Institute of Director’s (IoD) Director of the Year awards.   Amit Bhatia fought off stiff competition from a number of high-profile nominees to claim the joint accolade. He will now go through to the national final, to be held in London on 24 October.   Mr Bhatia founded Hope Construction Materials in January...