HeidelbergCement eyes higher profit in 2006

HeidelbergCement , the world’s fourth largest cement maker, aims to increase its profit and sales in 2006, its chief executive told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, reaffirming forecasts for 2005. The company has said 2005 operating profit growth could be more than 20 per cent, depending on weather conditions, and sales could increase by up to 7.5 per cent. "With regards to sales and profit, 2006 must be better. We want to noticeably increase them again," Bernd Scheifele said.

Operating profit rose sharply in the third quarter, driven by strong sales in the company’s key North American markets. Scheifele also said the company was considering entering the Indian market, where growth is faster than in Europe.