Cement News tagged under: Switzerland

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Swiss cement deliveries in the first quarter of 2013

08 April 2013, Published under Cement News

Swiss deliveries increased slightly in the first quarter of 2013 despite harsher weather conditions, latest data from domestic cement association Cemsuisse shows. In the January-March 2013 period, domestic deliveries increased by three per cent to 821,655t compared to  798,008t in the same period of the previous year. This advance was achieved despite a colder and more prolonged winter than usual.

HSBC downgrades Holcim

31 January 2013, Published under Cement News

HSBC downgrades Holcim to neutral from overweight and raises target to CHF77 from CHF75 on expectations of a recovery in cement company earnings. "Our forecast is reinforced by recent industry trends in the US and emerging markets countries, energy price falls and self-help programs," according to analysts.

Swiss cement deliveries see 2012 setback

09 January 2013, Published under Cement News

Domestic cement sales in Switzerland saw a 6.2 per cent decline in 2012, latest data from the domestic cement association, Cemsuisse shows. For full year 2012, domestic sales reached 4.395Mt compared to 4.687Mt in 2011. The country was affected by a long period of adverse weather conditions during the spring which led to first quarter deliveries being down by 22 per cent. In the fourth quarter sales were 1.092Mt, down 1.18 per cent from the 1.105Mt recorded in 4Q11. The proportion o...

Holcim: realising growth potential whilst cutting costs

10 September 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim highlighted its cost cutting programme and the growth potential in its emerging markets at its latest investor and analyst event, which took place on 3-4 September in Zurich, Switzerland.   While a global recovery remains elusive, emerging markets continue to grow. Holcim noted its net sales have increased above their 2007 level, from US$22.543bn to US$23.306bn in 2011. However, higher costs have led to EBITDA falling by US$1.3bn from US$5.775bn to US$4.447bn over the same period. Ne...

Holcim net profit rises, streamlines group organisation

15 August 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim reported increased sales and improved prices in the first half of 2012, with better margins in the second quarter despite a challenging operating environment in Europe. The group has further said it is  looking to implement a  “leaner and more efficient structure” . As part of the new changes, three managers will leave the executive committee and Urs Bleisch will head the “Holcim Leadership Journey” cost-cutting initiative. Consolidated net sales increased by 2.1 per cent in t...

European cement majors: first half trends

06 August 2012, Published under Cement News

The last week has seen three leading European cement majors release first-half 2012 results: Lafarge, HeidelbergCement and Italcementi. The latest figures appear to confirm the upturn in North America, which, together with the emerging markets, have been the main drivers of demand as parts of Europe remain a drag on performance. While a slower volume growth environment persists, improved pricing and cost reduction measures continue to be central themes.   In terms of market performance, wes...

ABB completes test runs at Attock Cement, Pakistan

12 July 2012, Published under Cement News

ABB has successfully completed test runs of its SpectraFlow online analysers at Fauji Cement plant in Attock, Pakistan. Fauji Cement Company (FCC), headquartered in Rawalpindi, operates a 1.165Mta cement plant, located in the province of Punjab. In 2009, Fauji Cement built a second kiln line to expand its production capacity and invested in a raw material proportioning (RMP) solution in combination with a SpectraFlow online analyser to optimise its stockpile blending. The expanded operatio...

Swiss second quarter deliveries fall

06 July 2012, Published under Cement News

In the second quarter of 2012, Swiss deliveries fell by 3.2 per cent when compared with the previous year, figures from local cement association Cemsuisse show. Deliveries for the year to June are 11.4 per cent lower than the same period of last year. This value can be attributed to a fall of around 22 per cent in the first quarter; due to a prolonged cold spell.

Holcim cost-cutting programme targets CHF1.5bn rise in operating profit

14 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim said on Monday it was launching a targeted cost-cutting programme aimed at increasing operating profit by at least CHF1.5bn (EUR1.2bn) by the end of 2014. CEO Bernard Fontana: “After intensive discussions at the senior management level and based on close collaboration with the Group companies, I am confident that we will achieve these targets. At least CHF150m positive impact will be achieved in 2012.” Under the name, the "Holcim Leadership Journey 2012-2014" the programme focuses o...

Europe holds back Holcim

09 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim’s first quarter turnover improved by 2.2% to CHF4,760m (€3,922m), which represents an increase of 7.1% on a comparable basis and measured in euros the turnover advanced by 8.1%.  The operating EBITDA eased by 1.1% to CHF745m (€614m), which represents a 4.6% advance in euro terms. The trading profit edged up by 0.5% to CHF349m (€287m), while at the net attributable level there was small profit of CHF10m (€8m), representing an improvement of 1.1%, or of 7% in euro terms. Net debt at the...