Displaying items by tag: Distribution

Africa: German-based lubricants supplier Fuchs has taken over direct ownership of 50% of three distribution subsidiaries of its regional subsidiary Fuchs Southern Africa. The companies are based in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The acquisitions will support Fuchs’ aim of increasing its supply to African markets, according to Fuchs executive board chairman Stefan Fuchs. "Investment in a state of the art, fully automated grease manufacturing plant which opened in Isando, Johannesburg, in 2018” signifies the company’s commitment to sustainable social development of the continent, said Fuchs, adding, “Further plant expansions are already being planned.”

Ireland: CRH has concluded a deal with an unspecified party for the sale of CRH Europe Distribution for Euro1.64bn. The Financial Times reported in July 2019 that private equity funds managed by American-based Blackstone would buy the company’s European distribution division. CRH will reportedly use the proceeds of sale for future acquisitions including its own share buyback programme.

North America: Cemex’s venture capital division has invested an undisclosed sum in the construction materials delivery and logistics brand GoFor. Gonzalo Galindo, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cemex, has stated the importance of improving efficient on-site delivery as ‘a critical point in the construction value chain’ of its North American divisions.

Peru: The Supreme Court has upheld a fine of nearly US$2m by the National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) on UNACEM. The penalty was levied due to UNACEM and its distribution network refusing to allow retailers to sell cement made by its competitor, according to the Gestión newspaper. INDECOPI said that in 2014 UNACEM and its collaborators refused to allow retailers to stock its Sol brand of cement if they were selling the rival Quisqueya brand produced by Mexico’s Cemex.

Nigeria: The Cement Company of Northern Nigeria’s (CCNN) profit rose in 2018 following its merger with Kalambaina Cement. Its profit after tax grew by 77% year-on-year to US$15.9m in 2018 from US$8.9m in 2017, according to the Punch newspaper. It produced 0.76Mt of cement in 2018 and it sold 0.74Mt. The company is planning to expand its production distribution in north-east and north-central regions as it does not expect the north-west to absorb its enlarged production capacity of 2Mt/yr.

Ireland: CRH has appointed Bank of America to sell its European Distribution business. The sale is valued at around Euro2bn and is expected to start in May 2019, according to sources quoted by Reuters. Private equity companies including Advent, Lone Star and CVC have been linked to the sale. CRH is due to issue a trading updating in late April 2019.

Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania: UK-based EvoQuip has appointed Stokker as the authorised EvoQuip Distributor to cover Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for the full EvoQuip portfolio of compact crushing and screening equipment. EvoQuip is a brand owned by Terex Corporation.

Ireland/UK: Quinn Cement has extended its exclusive supply agreement for Master Grade Cement in the UK with National Buying Group (NBG). Quinn Cement’s Master Grade Cement product will continue to be solely available to merchants in the UK via NBG following a deal originally made in 2018.

“Our partnership with NBG has been very successful in 2018 with our Master Grade Cement sales in particular exceeding forecasts since we launched our new cement range. Feedback from NBG merchants has been very positive and demand continues to grow, so we’re delighted to agree an extension to our exclusivity deal with the Group,” said Quinn Cement’s GB Sales and Marketing Director Lee Gillman. He added that 2018 had been a ‘strong’ year for the cement producer.

US/Europe: US refractory manufacturer Plibrico has entered into a distribution partnership with the Pli Group Europe, a refractory distributor contractor based in Vienna, Austria. Under the new alliance, Pli Group Europe will provide full-service distribution of Plibrico’s Plico brand refractories in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria, with immediate effect.

“Adding Pli Group Europe to our ranks of Pli Partners allows Plibrico to reinforce its expertise, enhance its service offering and strengthen the value chain offered to customers throughout Europe,” said Brad Taylor, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Plibrico.

Denmark: Aalborg Portland has signed a five-year cement transport deal with Demstrup Autotransport and Silo Trans following a tendering process. The deal covers the producer’s domestic cement distribution of over 1.25Mt/yr. This involves more than 33,000 movements per year. Demstrup Autotransport will be responsible for distribution in North and Central Jutland and Zealand. Silo Trans will handle distribution in Sønderjylland and in Funen.