Global Cement News

Ireland: Irish cement conglomerate Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) has announced that Albert Manifold will become group chief executive on 1 January 2014 following the retirement of current chief executive Myles Lee after 32 years with the group.

Manifold, a board member and CRH's CEO since January 2009, has held a variety of senior positions within the company, including managing director of the Europe Materials Division and group development director. Prior to joining CRH in 1998, he was CEO with a private equity group.

Commenting on the appointment, CRH's chairman, Nicky Hartery, said, "I am delighted to announce Albert's appointment as the next chief executive of CRH. This follows a comprehensive selection process led by the Board's Succession Committee."

"Albert will succeed Myles in the New Year, facilitating an orderly transition at chief executive level," continued Hartery. "Albert brings to his new role a deep knowledge of the industry and proven international executive experience."

India: Irish building materials supplier CRH is considering acquiring Sree JayaJothi cements, part of Shriram Group, according to the Economic Times of India. CRH may purchase Sree JayaJothi cements through its joint-venture with MyHome Industries. The value of the deal is around US$250m.

Sree JayaJothi cements has a cement plant at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, with a clinker production capacity of 2Mt/yr and a cement production capacity of 3.2Mt/yr. Currently CRH has a cement production capacity of 3.2Mt/yr in India through a joint-venture.

In response to queries, Shriram confirmed to the Bombay Stock Exchange that it is discussion with potential investors including CRH.

Mozambique: Portuguese cement producer Cimpor intends to increase its grinding capacity in Mozambique by 220,000t/yr. Cimpor's local subsidiary Cimentos Mozambique has signed an agreement to lease a grinding plant near to its Matola cement plant. The agreement will also allow Cimpor to increase its product range.

Sri Lanka: The Tokyo Cement Company intends to build a US$50m cement in Trincomalee, Eastern Province a top official has said. The new 1Mt/yr plant will be called the Tokyo Eastern Cement Company. The build will also include a captive 10MW biomass power plant.

"We are currently in the process of finalising a 33-year lease agreement with the government for the land to construct the factory," said Tokyo Cement Managing Director (MD), S R Gnanam. Tokyo Cement has received tax breaks on the investment that will be financed by internal funds and bank loans. The company anticipates a 10% year-on-year growth in cement demand in the medium term.

Colombia: Cementos Argos (Cemargos) has reported a year-on-year fall of 79.2% in net profits to US$38.9m for the first half of 2013. The Colombian cement producer attributed the decline to a sale of assets in the first half 2012 that had artificially inflated net profits.

Revenue for the first half of 2013 was US$1.24bn, a rise of 9% from US$1.2bn in the first half of 2012. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 23% to US$261m from US$212m. In the first half of 2013 Cemargos shipped 5.5Mt of cement, a 1% year-on-year increase.

"The results reflect the positive trends being seen in our markets and the strategies of segmentation, price and penetration being implemented," said the company in its financial statement. Cemargos said that columes recovered in Colombia in the second quarter of 2013 and the Caribbean region continued to support growth.