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ThyssenKrupp’s Industrial Solutions division to cut 1500 extra jobs as part of reorganisation process 01 September 2017
Germany: ThyssenKrupp’s Industrial Solutions division plans to cut 1500 jobs in operational areas as part of its on-going reorganisation process. Around two-thirds of these positions will be based in Germany. The reduction in jobs follows a previous announcement in July 2017 to cut 500 roles in administration, also mostly in Germany. The job losses are part of the division’s ‘planets’ transformation programme, launched in 2016, which is intended to increase the business area’s competitiveness.
“To ensure Industrial Solutions can compete in the market over the long term, we need a more efficient and effective set-up that goes for our cost structure as for our global presence. Although new orders have recovered from their trough, our structures are still oversized measured against orders in hand and our medium-term requirements. We must be able to respond more flexibly to fluctuations in order intake,” said Peter Feldhaus, chief executive officer (CEO) of Industrial Solutions.
Plibrico opens new headquarters and research and development laboratory near Chicago 01 September 2017
US: Plibrico Company has opened its new corporate headquarters and research and development laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois. Previously located in Chicago, Illinois, the new Northbrook location offers a larger, more user-friendly space for staff and visitors. The company is a manufacturer and installer of aluminosilicate and high alumina monolithic refractories that are used in a variety of industries including cement.
Winners from Buzzi Unicem, Ash Grove Cement and Salt Rivers Materials announced in PCA’s 2017 John P Gleason Jr Leadership Awards 01 September 2017
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has announced the winners of the 2017 John P Gleason Jr Leadership Awards, honouring individuals who have exhibited leadership in association activities in support of member company objectives and operations. The awards will be presented at the PCA’s Fall Congress in Chicago.
Daniel Nugent, Senior Vice President, Technical Services and Government Affairs, Buzzi Unicem USA won the award for Business Continuity for his leadership role in industry regulatory and legislative initiatives, including greenhouse gas emissions and other significant issues that impact cement manufacturing operations. He serves on a variety of PCA committees, including the Energy and Environment Committee and Government Affairs Council. Finalists for this award included Hamid Farzam, Vice President of Technical Services and Quality Assurance for Cemex USA and Steve Regis, Senior Vice President of Corporate Services for CalPortland Company.
Matthew Wood, Sustainable Products and Promotion Manager, Ash Grove Cement Company, won the award for Market Development for the promotion of cement-based products at the national and local level, such as roller-compacted concrete and full-depth reclamation paving solutions. He is also a member of the PCA’s Sustainable Development Committee and LEED Accredited Professional. Finalists for this award included David Gray, Market Manager for GCC of America and Larry Rowland, Manager of Marketing and Technical Services for Lehigh Hanson.
Ruben Guerrero Jr, Director of Corporate Affairs, Salt River Materials Group won the award for Young Leaders for his active engagement in the PCA’s network of public policy and communications committees, including the Government Affairs Council, Industry Communications Committee and State Government Affairs Task Force. Finalists for this award included Desirea Haggard, Environmental Manager, CalPortland Company and William Kissel, Senior Environmental Manager, Titan America.
Loesche announces four mill contract with Pioneer Cement 31 August 2017
Pakistan: Germany’s Loesche has been awarded a contract for four vertical roller mills by China’s Chengdu Design & Research Institute for
Pakistan’s Pioneer Cement, which is expanding its production capacity to 8000t/day in the Chenki/Khusab district in Punjab Province. The contract includes a 630t/hr Loesche mill for grinding raw meal, two Loesche finish mills, each with a capacity of 235t/hr and a 60t/hr Loesche coal mill.
Loesche Dynamic Classifiers will be used to ensure the appropriate fineness. The patented Vortex Rectifier and an optimised flow characteristic produce significantly lower energy consumption and therefore lower operating costs.
Efficient dedusting of the raw material mill is carried out using two HURRICLON® systems from Loesche’s A TEC subsidiary. This gives the advantage of reducing the total energy requirement of the plant due to the low pressure loss and high degree of separation. It also creates savings in steel construction and installation due to the significantly lower weight compared to conventional cyclone technology.
Delivery is due by the autumn of 2018.
BUA plant commissioning increases Nigeria’s capacity further 31 August 2017
Nigeria: The Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the 3Mt/yr second kiln line at the BUA Obu Cement plant at Okpella, Edo State on 30 August 2017. He had earlier performed the ground-breaking ceremony at the start of the construction phase of the line. Once the line is fully commissioned in early 2018, it will bring the plant’s capacity to 6Mt/yr.
"This project is a big boost to the Nigerian economy and it will provide employment opportunity for both the skilled and unskilled youths of this state and the country at large," said Osinbajo, adding that the plant's capacity would consolidate Nigeria's self-sufficiency in cement and be a big boost to the nation's export capacity