Displaying items by tag: GCC
GCC Pueblo upgrades cement mill with FLSmidth technology
04 September 2024US: GCC Pueblo has upgraded its OK™ 36-4 Cement mill with a new separator from FLSmidth, incorporating the addition of ECS/ProcessExpert's vertical mill application. This upgrades the plant's existing ROKS separator to the latest ROKSH technology.
GCC’s sales grow in first quarter of 2024
25 April 2024Mexico: GCC’s net sales were US$273m in 2024, up by 12% year-on-year. Its US sales rose by 17%, with local cement volumes up by 8.3% and concrete volumes up by 5.6% year-on-year, respectively. Meanwhile, its Mexican sales grew by 4%. The price of both cement and concrete rose across both markets. Accordingly, GCC grew its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) by 32%, to US$82.9m.
Cement firms shift to lighter bags for worker health
04 April 2024Mexico: Members of the National Cement Chamber (Canacem) are set to reduce cement bag weights from 50kg to 25kg to comply with NOM-036, according to El Financiero, which aims to prevent and control musculoskeletal and ergonomic diseases in construction workers. The shift affects companies such as Cemex, Cementos Moctezuma, GCC, Cemento Cruz Azul, Cementos Fortaleza and Holcim.
The standard came into effect on 31 March 2024, but Cementos Moctezuma has already started transitioning to 25kg bags. José Barroso, CEO of Cementos Moctezuma, said "Since 2023, Cementos Moctezuma began the transition from 50kg to 25kg bags in all of its packaged product family.” He added "In Mexico, musculoskeletal disorders represent almost half of the occupational injuries, so we are already implementing changes in our plants to operate according to the new standard.”
GCC raises sales in 2023
31 January 2024Mexico: GCC’s consolidated sales rose by 17% to US$1.36bn in 2023. The group raised its sales by 30% in Mexico and by 12% in the US, with its regional cement volumes rising by 2.2% and 5.2% respectively. GCC’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also grew, by 31%, to US$472m.
Chief executive officer (CEO) Enrique Escalante said "GCC had an outstanding performance during 2023, achieving year-on-year growth in both top and bottom line. Our record-breaking financial performance was driven by strong client relationships and operational excellence." Looking to 2024, Escalante added "Our focus on executing strategic initiatives and enhancing competitive advantages will fortify our margins, aligning our vision for continued success with our commitment to sustainability."
GCC signs agreement of understanding with USAID and Dexis
28 December 2023Mexico: GCC has signed an agreement of understanding and collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and professional services company Dexis. Under the agreement the cement producer is joining the Pro-Integrity anti-corruption initiative. This project aims to strengthen the business environment in Mexico by promoting governance, the adoption of corporate best practice and the promotion of partnerships that promote transparency and integrity.
GCC to expand Odessa cement plant
07 December 2023US: Mexico-based GCC has hired ThyssenKrupp Polysius North America to build a 3000t/day clinker production line at its Odessa plant in Texas. When commissioned in late 2025, the line is expected to more than double the plant’s clinker capacity to 2Mt/yr across three kilns. The supplier says the project will also lower the plant’s annual CO2 emissions by 13%.
GCC chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said "We remain strongly committed to delivering strong stakeholder value, while investing in the future growth of our business. With the expansion of the Odessa plant, we will ensure GCC is prepared for a new phase of the industry cycle."
Mexico: GCC recorded US$1.02bn in sales during the first nine months of 2023, up by 16% year-on-year from US$880m in the first nine months of 2022. The producer’s cement volumes rose by 5.5% in Mexico, but fell by 8.1% in the US. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 31% to US$354m from US$271m.
GCC chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said “The ability of our teams to face market conditions allowed us to further strengthen our margins Throughout the third quarter of 2023, we continued to invest in the business and focus on commercial performance to offset cost inflation and increase margins, as well as strengthening our market position to build a stronger future for GCC.”
Portland Cement Association announces winners of 2023 Safety Innovation and Chairman's Safety Performance Awards
28 September 2023US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has announced the winners of its 2023 Safety Innovation and Chairman's Safety Performance Awards.
The Safety Innovation Award Program recognises companies that have developed innovative practices, projects and programs that improve safety at cement plants in the US. Entries are judged in five areas: innovation, ease of use and ease of construction, effectiveness and risk prevention. The recipients were:
- Distribution: Continental Cement, Continental Port Allen Terminal, Chesterfield, Missouri
- Quarry: CalPortland Company, CalPortland Oro Grande Plant, Oro Grande, California
- Pyroprocessing: GCC of America, GCC Tijeras Plant, Tijeras, New Mexio
- General Facility: Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Mitsubishi Cushenbury Plant, Lucerne Valley, California
The Chairman’s Safety Performance Awards are given to member cement plants that did not have a reportable injury or illness during the year. Fifteen plants achieved this in 2023, which represented more than 10% of all active cement facilities in the US and its territories. The recipients were:
- Argos USA, Atlanta, Georgia
- Argos USA, Newberry, Florida
- Argos Puerto Rico Corp, Dorado, Puerto Rico
- Ash Grove Cement Company (CRH), Durkee, Oregon
- Ash Grove Cement Company (CRH), Midlothian, Texas
- Buzzi Unicem USA, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Buzzi Unicem USA, Maryneal, Texas
- CalPortland Company, Rillito, Arizona
- GCC of America, Odessa, Texas
- Heidelberg Materials, Bellingham, Washington
- Martin Marietta Materials, New Braunfels, Texas
- Martin Marietta Materials, Midlothian, Texas
- Martin Marietta Materials, Tehachapi, California
- National Cement Company of California, Kern, California
- St Marys Cement (Votorantim), Detroit, Michigan
GCC orders pyroprocessing equipment from ThyssenKrupp Polysius for Odessa cement plant expansion
31 August 2023US: GCC has ordered pyroprocessing equipment from ThyssenKrupp Polysius for the expansion of its Odessa cement plant in Texas. The upgrade will more than double the plant’s capacity to 1.9Mt/yr, and reduce its CO2 emissions by 13%. Contractor H&M Construction says that the project will be the third on which it has collaborated on design and construction.
H&M Vice President Casey Rushing said “H&M is proud to have the opportunity to serve GCC as its design-builder on this great project. H&M has a very strong active presence in Texas and a very strong veteran self-perform team that has recently completed with Polysius a near identical pyroprocessing expansion in the Southeast US. We intend to improve on our successes from our previous pyroprocessing lines by executing this project for GCC with superior safety, quality and customer satisfaction.”
Mexico: GCC’s sales rose by 15% year-on-year to US$608m during the first half of 2023. The company’s cement volumes rose by 6.9% in Mexico, but fell by 11% in the US. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 27% to US$196m.
GCC’s chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said “Despite persistent weather-related challenges during the quarter, GCC achieved year-on-year growth in both top and bottom-line, attributable to the successful execution of our pricing and cost strategies, along with our focus on operational excellence.” He added “We remain vigilant in monitoring demand and economic dynamics in the US, planning to ensure we’re positioned to capture opportunities, while we take advantage of the momentum we’re seeing in the Mexican market.”