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Lafarge Emirates inaugurates new distribution centre 20 June 2011
UAE: On 13 June 2011 Lafarge Emirates Cement inaugurated its first distribution centre in the region, in cooperation with Al Saeed AL Zaabi General Trading. The new centre in the Mussaffah Industrial Area in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated by Antoine Duclaux, CEO of Lafarge Emirates Cement in the presence of many of the company's strategic partners.
Duclaux said that the new 350m2 showroom in Mussaffah Industrial Area was a big achievement and that Lafarge Emirates was contributing to the growth of the construction growth market by offering its quality products in the UAE.
Adham El-Sharkawy, Commercial Director at Lafarge Emirates Cement said that the facility would present a new 'shopping experience' to cement end users by offering a full range of high quality products and various other building materials products under one roof in a highly modern showroom.
Producers split coal purchases to avoid high prices 17 June 2011
Japan: Major cement makers are dispersing their coal purchases to hedge against the risk of buying when prices are high. Traditionally, cement companies purchase a year's worth of coal in the month of April because price changes have tended to be small. With coal prices becoming more volatile, however, they are keeping a close eye on the market to gauge favourable times to buy.
Producers are hoping to keep costs in check in this way because coal purchases account for at least half of their materials expenses. Taiheiyo Cement has procured only about 30% of its coal supply for the current fiscal year, while Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp. have each purchased around 60%. Sumitomo Osaka Cement, which began spreading out its purchases in the previous fiscal year, is reportedly considering whether or not to disperse costs even further.
Coal prices began rising in 2010 after major floods in Australia and the jump between January and March 2011, which served as the basis for purchase prices in April 2011, was particularly steep. Consequently, Taiheiyo Cement and Sumitomo Osaka Cement are believed to have paid nearly USD 150/t, an increase of 30% on April 2010. Wholesale coal prices are currently at around USD 135/t.
ACC and Goa sign alternative fuels deal 16 June 2011
India: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 13 June 2011 for the disposal of plastic waste between the Department of Environment, Government of Goa, and ACC's Wadi Cement plant. The MoU was signed by Michael D' Souza and M Sai Ramesh from ACC in the presence of Minister for Environment Aleixo Sequeira.
The MoU envisages establishing a collection and segregation mechanism for plastic waste from non-biodegradable solid waste for disposal through co-processing at the plant. It will be valid for a term of three years from the date of execution with an option of renewal by mutual consent on agreed terms and conditions. ACC will provide the services free of cost to the Department of Environment and to the state government.
Cemex to cut 6% of total workforce 15 June 2011
Mexico: Cemex has announced that it has plans to cut 6% of its workforce worldwide (around 2800 jobs) as part of its wider plans for reorganisation that were announced at the start of 2011. Cemex said that it hopes to generate USD 400m in additional cash flow by the end of 2012 by cutting costs and improving underperforming business units.
Cemex has been struggling with its debt load after buying Australian rival Rinker just before the US housing crisis began. The company reported a wider-than-expected first-quarter loss in the first quarter of 2011, but said that increased sales were a sign of a slow recovery.
Lafarge buys strategic interest in port 14 June 2011
Spain: French cement group Lafarge has announced that it has acquired a 35% stake in the cement plant of Spanish construction and property development group Lubasa at the port of Castellon.
Under the agreement, the facility will receive clinker supplies from Lafarge cement plants. The company declined to reveal financial details of the deal.