Displaying items by tag: Malaysia

Malaysia: CMS Cement Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMS) is embarking on an expansion programme with an initial investment of US$47m in an effort to meet the growing demand for cement.

"We are still doing the actual costing but when the programme is done we are optimistic of coping with the increasing demand from the state and particularly from construction activities in its regional development corridor, the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy," said CMS Group Managing Director Datuk Richard Curtis. "The state's annual need is 1.66Mt/yr and in the last five years, it has registered increases of 10-15%."

Speaking at the opening of the company's new 6000t US$7m Sibu bulk cement terminal, Curtis said, "We will expand our Kuching and Bintulu plants to be able to produce 2Mt/yr of both Portland and Cemplast Masonry cement by either late 2013 or early 2014. For our Kuching clinker plant, a new production line will be added to boost raw material production from 0.65Mt to 0.8Mt by middle of the year," he said.

The Kuching plant, set up in 1978, has an annual capacity of 1Mt/yr and caters to the Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman and Sibu markets. On the other hand, its Bintulu plant in Kidurong, produces 0.75Mt/yr and caters to the rapidly growing north-east region. Curtis said that the plan was to increase the Kuching plant output by another 0.4-0.5Mt/yr and increase that of Bintulu by 10%. He said it was much cheaper for the state to be able to produce its own cement rather than relying on imports from elsewhere in Malaysia.

Regarding the Sibu facility Curtis said that it represented a significant investment in upgrading the company's cement distribution capabilities statewide. "The distribution of fresh cement to the Sibu, Kapit, Mukah and Sarikei areas is made more reliable. Bulk cement manufactured in the Kuching plant is now being transported, using a fully-enclosed dust-free pneumatic pipeline on to one of the two dedicated purpose built 7000 DWT barges and barged to Sibu," he said.

Curtis added the all weather barges were built and operated for CMS by Shin Yang Shipping Sdn Bhd, one of the state's top shipbuilders. "Each of them is equipped with Sweddish-made fully enclosed dust-free pneumatic self-loading/unloading system and has a fully-enclosed cargo hold fitted with aeration panels and a fluidised cement transfer system.

Curtis used the opportunity to reassure customers in the region that although it is the only cement supplier in Malaysian Borneo, CMS would do its utmost to cope with the demand and to deliver as scheduled. "We will be constantly upgrading our facilities and delivery systems in order to give the best service. In the last five years, we have invested more than US$160m to do so," he said.

CMS had earlier said that it was looking to 'dominate' the cement market in Malaysian Borneo, a region that is significantly less developed than the western Peninsular region.

Malaysia: Lafarge Malayan has appointed Bradley Peter Mulroney as its president and chief executive officer and Malaysian Chen Theng Aik as its executive director.

Mulroney, aged 49, is a British national. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of London and he initially started his career with Redland plc, where he rose to the rank of a general manager. Redland was acquired by Lafarge SA in 1996.

Aik, aged 45 is a Malaysian who was previously the senior vice-president, finance and chief financial officer of Lafarge Malayan.

Malaysia: Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd's pre-tax profit for the quarter ending 30 June 2011 increased to USD34.86m from USD30.6m in the corresponding quarter of 2010. The company attributed the improved result mainly to higher revenue and share of better results from its associated company but added that this was partly offset by the higher cost of fuel and raw materials. A 10% increase in electricity tariff, which came in on 1 June 2011, further added to the cost of production. The company's revenue for the quarter rose to USD223.5m from USD198m in the 2010 quarter.

For the first six months of 2010, its pre-tax profit rose to USD57.9m from USD49.7m in 2010. Its six-month revenue rose to USD425.3m from USD381.8m. The company also attributed this 11% year-on-year increase in first half revenue to higher domestic sales volume and better selling prices.