14 November 2017
CRH expresses formal interest in bidding for PPC 14 November 2017
South Africa: Ireland’s CRH has submitted a formal expression of interest to PPC towards making a cash offer for a controlling stake in the South African cement producer. The board of PPC has given CRH until the week commencing 20 November 2017 to conduct due diligence and make a firm offer. PPC said that it is still considering an offer from Fairfax Financial Holdings with the aid of Investec. It is also in discussion with LafargeHolcim about a potential deal.
Wagners’ initial public offering threatened by rival cement grinding plant in Brisbane 14 November 2017
Australia: An initial public offering by Wagners has been threatened from plans by a rival company to build a cement grinding plant and terminal in Brisbane, Queensland. Wagners operates its own 0.8Mt/yr grinding plant in the city and commentators mentioned by The Australian newspaper have speculated that this increased competition locally could damage its aspirations. However, Wagners believes that the new plant is unlikely to be built. The 0.2Mt/yr project from brick and tile maker Brickworks, in a consortium with Newman Quarrying and the Neilsen Group, remains in the planning stage.
Cementos Argos sales revenue and earnings down so far in 2017 14 November 2017
Colombia: Cementos Argos’s sales revenue and earnings have fallen in the first nine months of 2017 due to poor performance in Colombia. Its sales revenue fell by 1.3% year-on-year to US$2.14bn from US$2.17bn in the same period in 2016. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 16.8% to US$352m from US$424m. However, its cement sales volumes rose by 15.4% to 12.2Mt from 10.5Mt.
“Thanks to the sound implementation of the BEST Program, we have made significant improvements in a particularly challenging year for our industry. By the end of this year, we are optimistic about the performance of all the markets in which we operate,” said Juan Esteban Calle, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cementos Argos.
By region, the cement producer reported growth in the US but problems in Colombia. It highlighted that cement and clinker imports to Colombia have fallen in 2017 due to rising tariffs. It also expects the local market to recover in 2018. In the Caribbean and Central America the group’s performance suffered from extreme weather events, although it managed to grow its revenue. It also reported that its cement plant in Puerto Rico is still not operational.
Itacamba increases exports to Argentina 14 November 2017
Argentina/Bolivia: Bolivia’s Itacamba is preparing to send a second batch of cement to Argentina. It sent 4000t earlier in the year and now intends to send the same amount again, according to the El Día newspaper. The company expects to export 0.16Mt of clinker with a value of US$9m in 2017. Cement exports are expected to reach a value of US$2m. Itacamba already dispatches clinker to Argentina and it has been sending both clinker and cement to Paraguay.
Roanoke Cement terminals recertified by Wildlife Habitat Council 14 November 2017
US: The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) has recertified four of Roanoke Cement Company’s terminals in Virginia and North Carolina. Units at Front Royal, Richmond and Bristol in Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina received the certification.
"Having the Wildlife Habitat Council's recertification for each of them is a distinguished recognition confirming that all of Roanoke Cement's sites are on the right track ecologically. We look forward to continuing our conservation efforts providing pleasing, ‘green’ features within our terminal campuses. A few examples include pollinator meadows at Front Royal and Winston-Salem, avian habitats for the Eastern Bluebird in Richmond, and stream restoration in Bristol," said David Brinkley, Director of Distribution & Customer Resources at Roanoke Cement Company.
WHC's certification program, ‘Conservation Certification,’ is built on global recognition programs, reflects contemporary conservation efforts and applies its collective learning to the future of biodiversity in the US and the globe. Front Royal, Richmond and Winston-Salem were originally certified in 2013. Bristol was originally certified in 2015. Certification by WHC is valid for two years.