Wienerberger moves into Russia

Wienerberger AG is investing €30m in a brick plant at Kiprevo, in the Russian province of Vladimir, some 130 km to the north of Moscow.  This represents the world’s leading brick producer’s first entry into the Russian market.  Work on the Kiprevo brick works is expected to start this autumn, if all goes according to plan.  The plant, which, unusually, will be producing both hollow bricks and facing bricks is scheduled to come on stream in the spring of 2006.  The initial capacity will be 60m bricks per annum and this will double once the second phase is completed.  The products are primarily aimed at the important greater Moscow market, which has a population of around 20m.