Displaying items by tag: Hima Cement

Uganda: Hima Cement has said that over 50% of its fuel for cement production now comes from renewable biomass instead of heavy fuel oil (HFO). Head of regulatory affairs David Mugagga said that the biomass used to fuel the kilns at Hima Cement’s plants is sourced from coffee husks, palm kernels, rice husks and sawdust. Mugagga also said that the company collects hazardous waste to use as fuel, reducing the amount that goes to landfill.

Uganda: Authorities in Tororo district intercepted a counterfeit cement operation on 7 August 2024, seizing over 4t of cement. The joint operation by police, Uganda Revenue Authority, and the Resident District Commissioner’s office targeted a group involved in producing and selling counterfeit cement, which was packaged in branded bags of Simba Cement, Tororo Cement, and Hima Cement. The bust took place 5km from Tororo along the Tororo-Jinja highway. A truck carrying the counterfeit cement was impounded, and the driver was arrested.

Albert Amula, deputy resident district commissioner, highlighted the dangers of using substandard materials, linking them to building collapses, and called on contractors to only buy from licensed hardware stores. Cement manufacturers have called for stricter regulations to combat this illicit trade.

Uganda: Kenya-based Bamburi Cement has completed its US$84m sale of its subsidiary Hima Cement to a consortium comprising Sarrai Group and Rwimi Holding. The transaction completed in early March 2024 following regulatory and shareholder approval, according to the Business Daily newspaper. Bamburi Cement’s intention to sell Hima Cement was first announced in November 2023. Holcim held a 70% share and Cementia Holding held a 30% share in Hima Cement. Both companies have sold their full stakes to the new owners.

Uganda: Holcim subsidiaries Bamburi Cement and Cementia Holding have negotiated a price of US$120m for Hima Cement with buyer Sarrai Group. Business Daily News has reported that the price is 14% higher than the company’s previous valuation. The parties said that the agreed price takes into consideration ‘multiple factors,’ including Hima Cement’s performance in 2022 and forecast performance for 2023.

Tanzania/Uganda: Switzerland-based Holcim has signed agreements to sell Uganda-based Hima Cement and Tanzania-based Mbeya Cement. Local industrial conglomerate Sarrai Group will acquire Hima Cement for US$120m, while local oil importer Amsons Group will acquire Mbeya Cement for an undisclosed sum.

Holcim’s Asia, Middle East & Africa regional head Martin Kriegner said “These divestments advance our strategy to consolidate our leadership in core markets as the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. With the Sarrai Group and Amsons Group, we are pleased to have found strategic and trusted partners who are best positioned to develop these businesses in the long term.”

Kenya/Uganda: Bamburi Cement’s profit after tax has been adversely affected by a tax claim in the first half of 2023. The cement producer said that its profit after tax was reduced due to the “settlement of corporation tax matters in Uganda.” Its turnover grew by 11% year-on-year to US$153m from US$138m in the same period in 2022. However, its profit after for tax fell by 7% to US$604,000 from US$652,000. As well as operating plants in Kenya, the subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim runs Hima Cement in Uganda.

Reporting by the Business Daily newspaper has revealed that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) started a review in 2020 of Hima Cement’s transfer pricing compliance between 2014 and 2018. The URA then raised its corporation tax assessment for Hima Cement in December 2022. Bamburi Cement has also faced additional penalties and interest charges from the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Uganda: Hima Cement and local authorities are investigating the circumstances in which an eight-year-old boy allegedly drowned on 21 April 2023 in a quarry lagoon at a site formerly operated by Hima Cement. Poshele Bwambale Isingoma, a resident of Katoke village in Bugoye sub-county, was reportedly among other minors who had gone out to play. Isingoma had attempted to follow ducks that were swimming close to the side of the lagoon but slipped in and got into difficulty.

Hima Cement’s country CEO Jean-Michel Pons said the fatal incident occurred at a quarry previously operated by Hima Cement, saying “On behalf of Hima Cement, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family for this unfortunate tragedy.” Pons added that the company’s management was ‘co-operating fully with the authorities in their investigation to establish the cause of the incident.’

Uganda: Preliminary findings into a fire at Hima Cement’s integrated plant at Kasese that took place on 16 January 2022 have revealed lapses in health and safety rules. Three people were reported killed in the blaze and a further eight others were injured, according to the Daily Monitor newspaper. Following an inspection of the site, Flavia Bwire, the executive secretary of the National Building Review Board (NBRB), said there were inadequate entry and exit points for the staff to evacuate the building. The NBRB will make recommendations to the relevant authorities when it has concluded its investigation. Hima Cement, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim, said that staff were conducting installation work at a light diesel oil tank when the incident happened. Production at the plant is yet to restart.

Zimbabwe: Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe appointed Geoffrey Ndugwa as chief executive officer (CEO) in mid-December 2021. He succeeds Precious Murena, who stepped down in September 2021.

Ndugwa was previously the CEO for Lafarge Malawi from late 2019. He brings experience in the cement industry spanning over 17 years working in various capacities across Africa. Some of his notable appointments include being the Commercial Director for Bamburi Group in Kenya, the General Manager Innovation and Marketing for Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria, the General Manager for Bamburi Special Products in Kenya, the Head of Business Support for Barclays Bank of Uganda and the Sales Manager for Hima Cement in Uganda.

Ndugwa holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University in the UK, a post graduate diploma in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK and a Civil Engineering degree from the University of East London.

Uganda: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Hima Cement has launched Fundi masonry cement. The company says that the product has a lower carbon footprint than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). It is suitable for use in plastering, brick laying and mortar works.

Hima Cement Uganda chief executive officerJean-Michel Pons said, “Fundi is an application-based cement that is formulated with enhanced capabilities for masonry and plaster works. The customer is guaranteed improved workability, affordability and beautiful finishes.” He added, “In addition to addressing the application needs for masonry works, Fundi masonry cement is now the greenest cement on the Ugandan market. Fundi is produced with a reduced carbon footprint, with 54% lower CO₂ emissions in comparison to OPC.”