Cement News tagged under: international
EAPC considers bond option17 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsEast African Portland Portland Cement (EAPC) is considering the possibility of listing a bond that would pay off a Sh3.8 billion yen dominated loan it owes the Japanese government. "We are looking at the possibility of launching a bond to repay this loan," Benson Ndeta, the company’s chairman, said yesterday. "Since this loan was taken way back in 1986, market dynamics have improved considerably and there is now a lot of liquidity in the market." Ndeta said the loan has become a big burde... |
Spain cement 2004 output to set record16 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsStrength in the Spanish housing market as well as in public contracting will result in a new record in cement production and consumption this year, the cement producers’ association said on Wednesday. Prospects for next year are also good, although production and consumption will likely reach similar levels to 2004. "We will end 2004 with annual consumption of around 48 million tonnes (four percent more than in 2003) ... We see the future as positive. (2005) could be a similar year to 20... |
Indonesia to retain 51 percent Gresik stake16 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsIndonesian officials said Thursday the government will retain a 51 percent stake in cement manufacturer Semen Gresik and will propose new options to end a row with Mexico’s Cemex over who should control the Indonesian group. Economics Minister Aburizal Bakrie said the government was no longer considering whether to allow Cemex to double its stake in Gresik in line with an earlier disputed deal, but was now examining "other options".Sixteen alternatives being prepared will be proposed to Ceme... |
Italcementi extends Suez Cement offer16 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsItalcementi is extending its takeover offer for Egypt’s Suez Cement Company until Dec. 30, it said on Wednesday. Italcementi said last week it would like to buy the 65.9 per cent in Suez Cement it did not own for about $540 million. Italcementi said would increase its total stake to 65-68 percent, with a 10 percent free-float and the rest would be bought by seven Saudi Arabian and Egyptian investors. However there seems to be some local resistance to the proposed purchase with other local ce... |
Greece’s Heracles Cement to focus on exports16 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsGreek cement producer Heracles, majority-owned by France’s Lafarge, aims to focus on exports to offset an expected slowdown in the domestic market, it said on Wednesday. Consumption in Greece is estimated to decline by 5 per cent this year following the completion of Olympic Games-related projects, Greece’s largest cement producer said, adding it plans to continue cost-cutting measures started last year. It aims to modernise its plants, reduce labour costs and cut energy costs by using al... |
Hanson confident on pushing up prices in 200516 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsIn its year-end trading statement, Hanson expects a broadly stable underlying level of demand next year in its principal US, British and Australian markets. The company is confident of improving trading margins in 2005, with higher input costs being more than offset by price increases and cost savings. In the year about to end, Hanson North America has been able to offset higher prices for fuel, cement and bitumen by increasing prices for aggregates, concrete, blacktop and bricks, with... |
Holcim Vietnam goes for growth15 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsMike Doyle, general director of Holcim Vietnam, comes to his office at 7am every morning for a regular 12 hour day. Taking his new post in Vietnam more than a month ago, the 59-year-old Irishman says he is getting used to the lifestyle, the habits of his Vietnamese colleagues and the Vietnamese Government’s policies for investors. Doyle officially became general director of Holcim Vietnam in early November, when Thi Vai Clinker Grinding Station in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province opened, and Holcim... |
Carib Cement going ahead with US$100m expansion15 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsCarib Cement is now preparing for its US$100m expansion - a project that was placed on hold nearly a year ago while the company awaited a response to its demand for a duty hike on imported cement. Yesterday the company confirmed that it was about to reopen talks with the lead financier of the project, following last week’s news that the government had gazetted the 40.83 per cent duty on all imported brands. The company had argued that a secured local market was a critical requirement for fin... |
Cement contractors face axe15 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsWorkers at a Waurn Ponds cement plant are set to lose their jobs today, just 10 days before Christmas. The workers were employed by contractor Lucon on a $50m upgrade of Blue Circle Southern Cement’s Waurn Ponds plant. Victorian State Official with the metals division of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Gary Robb said the site’s principal contractor Humboldt had terminated Lucon’s contract. "They’re not happy with Lucon’s performance," Mr Robb said. He said most of Lucon’s 48... |
Second round of US cement price increases in 2005 announced14 December 2004, Published under Cement NewsHolcim has just announced a second series of price increases for 2005, scheduled to take effect in July, or in some cases on the 1st of August, following an earlier round of price increases from January, ranging from US$5 to US$9 per short ton, depending on the area. The level of the second round of 2005 price increases has been announced at US$5 per short ton, essentially across the whole of the United States, where Holcim sells cement, either through Holcim US or through its Canadian arm ... |