New Zealand: Holcim has put plans to a build a new factory in Weston on hold until at least 2012.
The USD400m plant near Oamaru was to become the company's sole production facility in the region. Its creation was intended to create about 450 construction jobs and 120 permanent positions in the area. The decision to proceed with the factory had been expected in August 2011.
Holcim New Zealand's capital projects manager, Ken Cowie, stated that the company's Swiss headquarters had put the project on hold due to uncertainty created by the global economic downturn. "We realise that this creates ongoing uncertainty but we will continue to keep people informed," Cowie commented.
As reported by Global Cement on 5 July 2011 Holcim was seeking contractors to register interest in building the plant in July 2011. Plans to build the factory will now not be considered until late 2012.