Displaying items by tag: Caribbean Cement Company

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) says it continues to focus on improving its cement inventories and deliveries to the local market, amid disruption in September and early October 2024.

The company stated that further measures have been implemented to enhance inventory deliveries to its island-wide depots. It stated that it was currently operating at full production capacity and had successfully addressed various operational challenges, including those caused by adverse weather conditions relating to Hurricane Milton, which recently affected the region.

“Our valued customers and the public can expect further improvements in cement delivery over the coming week,” said the company. “CCCL remains committed to better serving its customers and enhancing services to ensure a reliable local supply of products.” The company added that it sincerely appreciated the ‘patience and understanding’ of all of its customers.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has returned to full production following the completion of its annual maintenance programme, reports Radio Jamaica News. The company was experiencing challenges meeting the demand for cement in the country due to the scheduled annual maintenance of its kiln. However, Caribbean Cement says that since production restarted, it has produced over 4000t/day through its 24-hour operation.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company (CCC) is addressing concerns that have arisen due to a shortage of cement in the market, which has reportedly led to hardware stores rationing supplies, according to the Jamaica Observer. The government has been called on to address the problem, reportedly affecting more than 150,000 people employed in the construction industry.

A spokesperson for CCC said “Caribbean Cement Company has successfully completed the scheduled annual maintenance of its kiln, and we are aware that some customers are experiencing delays in obtaining cement. Prior to the maintenance, the company held sufficient inventories to meet market needs. However, the passage of Hurricane Beryl and the company’s subsequent response to ongoing relief efforts resulted in faster consumption of these initial inventories. We recognise the importance of our operations to the construction industry and are working diligently to replenish inventories as quickly as possible for our valued customers. We anticipate a return to normal inventory levels during the coming days.”

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has confirmed a shortage of cement due to increased demand following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Despite concerns about its effect on the construction sector, former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica Lenworth Kelly, says the lack of supply is typical for the local market and not a cause for concern, expecting a return to normality within a week, according to Radio Jamaica News. Caribbean Cement Company has stated that it has a supply of cement in storage for the period during its scheduled maintenance.  

Kelly said "It's just a matter of when supply gets back to you. And I know the supply is back up, but it has to get to every little town, every little location. I know the bulk suppliers would be receiving now, but I'm not expecting any significant contribution to a decline, as it were. We had a significant spike, and so we would expect some trending down."

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company's first phase of its expansion project is set for completion in 2025. The expansion will increase cement production by 30%.

Managing director Jorge Martinez said "When completed, this project will further reduce our CO₂ emissions and deliver increased output from 2600 to 2850t/day of clinker to meet the increased local demand for cement. We will also have the capacity to explore options for exporting to other countries within the Caribbean community. These exports will benefit Jamaica’s economy through foreign currency income."

The US$40m plant expansion in Rockfort, Kingston is financed by the company, with 150 workers already on the project. The expansion was announced in 2022 and aims to strengthen Jamaica's cement industry, reduce import reliance and support the regional construction sector. It will also support parent company Cemex's sustainability targets, including CO₂ emission reduction and optimisation of heat consumption in cement production, as part of its Future in Action programme.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement plans to launch an upgrade to expand its Rockfort cement plant’s capacity by 30% to 1.3Mt/yr in October 2023. The producer says that the expansion will cost US$40m and that the new capacity will come online in early 2025. The work will include enlargements of multiple kiln sections and the installation of a new coal dosing system, clinker cooler and clinker transport system.