Holcim Philippines eyes temporary halt in operations

Holcim Philippines eyes temporary halt in operations
26 January 2009


Holcim Philippines, Inc. may temporarily shut down its kilns in response to an expected weakening of sales, officials have said.

The company is considering halting production for as much as six weeks at a time to cut costs, Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Ian S. Thackwray said.

"I am expecting to have shorter production ... and close kilns for six weeks. There is a chance that we will periodically [shut kilns down]. We are preparing for it," Mr. Thackwray told reporters at the sidelines of a company event last Friday.

A kiln line in Misamis Oriental which ceased operations in 2008, meanwhile, will likely stay closed this year, Mr. Thackwray added.

Workers will be compensated even as production is halted, Mr. Thackwray said.

"It will not result in retrenchment," he said, adding that the kilns can be made to quickly resume operations if needed.
Published under Cement News