Displaying items by tag: US

Italy: Cementir Holding recorded revenues from sales and services of Euro1.22bn in 2020, up by 1% year-on-year from Euro1.21bn in 2019. Cement and clinker volumes rose by 13% to 10.7Mt from 9.49Mt. Volumes registered the sharpest increase in Turkey, of 39%. Ready-mixed concrete (RMX) volumes grew by 7.8% to 4.4Mm³ from 4.1Mm³. The company maintained its 2019 earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) levels of Euro264m. It said that an improvement in performance in Turkey, Denmark, Egypt, China and Sweden balanced out negative effects on earnings in Belgium, US and Malaysia.

Chair and chief executive officer Francesco Caltagirone said, “In 2020, despite the serious pandemic, the group showed significant resilience with a 13% increase in cement volumes sold and revenue reaching the historical record. On a recurring basis, EBITDA increased by 2%, EBIT was up by 4% and yearly cash generation was Euro119m."

Under Plan 2021 – 2023 Industrial Plan, the company says that it envisages sales growth of 20% to Euro1.47bn and EBITDA growth of 29% to Euro340bn in 2023 compared to 2020 figures. It said that digitalisation investments begun in 2019 will contribute an expected Euro15m to EBITDA in 2023. As part of its sustainability commitments it has set a CO₂ emissions reduction target of around 30% by 2030, with emissions below 500kg/t of grey cement. However, it said that under the future European Taxonomy criteria white cement emissions are not included.

The group is planning to invest around Euro107m from 2021 to 2023 on sustainability and digitalisation. This includes a the construction of a new calcination plant in Denmark for the production of its Futurecem product and, the installation of wind turbines with an installed capacity of 8.4MW. It is also planning to increase the alternative fuels substitution rate at its integrated Gaurain plant in Belgian to 80% from 40% and invest in the use of natural gas and biogas in some of its plants.

US: The Mississippi Lime Company (MLC) has appointed Ryan Seelke as its Director of Safety. His focus will be on proactive risk-based safety practices, leadership, and training.

Prior to joining MLC, Seelke worked at Doe Run as a leader in their safety department. He also owned and led a private legal practice specialising in mine safety law and consulting before that assignment. He holds an MBA from St. Louis University, a law degree from Washington University and an economics degree from the University of Central Missouri. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in Occupational Safety Management from the University of Central Missouri. In addition, Ryan is a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) certified trainer.

Mexico/US: Cemex has invested US$15m in recommissioning a 1Mt/yr cement kiln at its CPN cement plant in Hermosilla, Sonora. The decision is intended to reduce cement shortages in the western US and bolster its supply chain in Arizona, California and Nevada. The project at the CPN plant is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2021 and will create 130 jobs.

Cemex USA cement commercial executive vice president Joel Galassini said, “Many cement customers in California, Arizona and Nevada have been impacted by supply constraints this past year. The decision to recommission this kiln was made with our customers top-of-mind, to give them reliable access through a local supply chain to help meet their growing needs. Our unique network of production facilities in this region allows us to make these types of investments that will have a meaningful impact on meeting our customers’ needs.”

California regional president Francisco Rivera said, “We are excited to build greater synergies with our Mexican operations to strengthen our US cement supply chain and help our customers avoid or mitigate any potential delays to their projects in 2021.”

US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has updated its winter 2020 – 2021 economic forecast. Senior vice president and chief economist Ed Sullivan said that in light of possible delays of three months or more to the national Covid-19 vaccine rollout, predicted robust economic recovery will be ‘slower than expected’ compared to expectations stated in the original forecast in December 2020. The PCA’s Market Intelligence Group expects cement consumption to grow by nearly 1% year-on-year in 2021, fueled largely by residential construction.

Japan/Indonesia: Taiheiyo Cement says that its board has approved and concluded its deal with Semen Indonesia to buy a 15% stake in its subsidiary Solusi Bangun Indonesia (SBI) for around US$220m. As part of the agreement, SBI’s Tuban plant will increase its export capacity by building a new jetty and silos. It will then export 0.5Mt/yr of cement to Taiheiyo Cement’s subsidiary in the US. The Japanese cement producer said that is focusing on markets in South-East Asia as part of its sustainable business development strategy in response to projected long term declining cement demand in Japan.

US: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim has become a founder member of the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The group says that the consortium aims to accelerate climate action through innovation. It says that it will represent the building materials industry in working with MIT’s research team to develop ‘scalable solutions’ to tackle climate change. It joins 12 other companies, including Apple, Boeing and IBM.

Chief executive officer Jan Jenisch said, “I am committed to building a net zero future, driving innovative and sustainable building solutions that work for people and the planet. With the urgency of today’s climate crisis, no single organisation can tackle it alone. That’s why I am proud to be joining MIT’s alliance of like-minded industry leaders and academic partners to scale up our climate action together.”

US: Eagle Materials’ sales in the nine months up to 31 December 2020 rose by 16% year-on-year to US$1.28bn from US$1.10bn. Its net earnings were US$273m, compared to a loss of US$1.54m in the first nine months of its 2020 financial year. Total cement volumes rose by 28% to 6.1Mt from 4.8Mt, and cement sales revenue rose by 35% to US$676m from US$502m.

President and chief executive officer Michael Haack praised the performance in the quarter which ended on 31 December 2020, saying, “Our cement shipments were up by 28% year-on-year, reflecting the strong performance of the recently acquired Kosmos Cement Business and the strength of our core markets. We continued to generate strong operating cash flow, which significantly improved our balance sheet and liquidity position providing us with increased financial flexibility.” He added, “As we continue to navigate the Covid-19 environment, I want to thank our team for their exceptional work under extraordinary circumstances, delivering strong results, remaining focused on the integration of Kosmos and keeping our strategic projects on schedule. We continue to closely monitor the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and their possible impact on our business in current and future periods. We also continue to enforce strict health and safety protocols to protect our employees, customers and business partners, and we will continue to manage our cash flow prudently and protect our balance sheet.”

Mexico: Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) recorded earnings before interest, depreciation, taxation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$308m, up by 6% year-on-year from US$292m. Net sales rose by under 1% to US$939m from US$934m. US cement volumes rose by 5%, excluding oil well cement, and rose by 3% in Mexico. The company said that its cost-and-expense reduction plan saved it US$24.3m throughout the year. During the second quarter of 2020 it signed a long-term agreement to secure wind power to meet 50% of the energy needs of its Rapid City cement plant.

Chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said, “GCC wrapped up 2020 with strong operational and financial results despite the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic. These positive results show GCC’s adaptability, resilience and what we can do in challenging times. We experienced a mixed demand for our products in Mexico and the US and, with the exception of oil-well cement, both markets outperformed expectations. GCC generated top-line growth, EBITDA, a strong free cash flow and margin expansion, benefitting from the successful execution of a comprehensive plan to reduce costs and expenses. 2020 was also a year of significant progress in GCC’s efforts to implement sustainability best practices. As a result, we reached our first major milestone by reducing net CO2 emissions by 9% from the 2005 levels.” He added, “Looking ahead, GCC entered 2021 even stronger than last year; even though the situation is still fluid and challenging, we are optimistic and we will operate with the same rigorous approach to continue creating value for all of our stakeholders: our shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.”

US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has welcomed the new administration’s plan to re-enter the Paris Agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. President and chief executive officer Michael Ireland said, “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The cement and concrete industry have an important role to play in decarbonising the manufacturing sector while providing the building materials necessary for a safe, resilient, and sustainable economy.”

The association’s government affairs senior vice president Sean O’Neill said “Federal policymakers will have a particularly important role to play. Some of the technologies needed to tackle industrial decarbonisation are still in the research and development phase. Governmental support is needed to accelerate both development and deployment. We also need to make sure that federal policies support industrial decarbonisation without undermining the competitiveness of US manufacturers.” He added, “Climate change is a global issue, and it will require global cooperation. The US cannot solve this problem alone.”

US: Forney LP has appointed Peter Jones as Platform Sales Manager for its ForneyVault construction materials testing (CMT) software platform.

Prior to joining Forney, Jones was Senior Municipal Software Specialist/Multi-Link Division for Link Computer Corporation in Bellwood, Pennsylvania. He also worked as Commercial Account Manager/Natural Resources for W W Grainger of Pittsburgh. He also spent 12 years with Sysco Food Services in Pittsburgh, last serving as Business Development Manager. He holds a bachelor's degree in management, accounting and finance from Hiram College in Ohio.

Forney LP sells products in the materials testing industry with a focus on material testing equipment for cementitious materials like cement, mortar, grout and concrete for the construction industry, downhole cement and proppant materials for oil and gas industry, and general metals testing. It sells its products to more than 75 countries. Its corporate headquarters is located near Zelienople, Pennsylvania with manufacturing facilities and stocking warehouses in the eastern and western US.