Lafarge Romania

Lafarge posted a turnover of 6.0 trln Romanian lei (US$187.5m) for 2003 from activities in Romania, up from US$176.8m for 2002, it was reported on March 9, 2004.  The company operates cement plant Lafarge Romcim, stone quarrying company Lafarge Agregate Betoane and plasterboard producer Lafarge Arcom Gips, employing a total of 2200.  Lafarge Romcim investment programme, agreed with the Romanian privatisation authority reached US$138.9m. Lafarge Romcim holds 33 per cent of the market. Lafarge owns local cement factories in Medgidia, Targu Jiu and Highiz, a plaster plant in Aghires and a factory for plaster plates, co-owned by local engineering construction works company Arcom.  Lafarge expects the domestic cement market to increase by approximately 4.0 per cent in 2004, Lafarge Romcim general director Philippe Questiaux said. The cement market in Romania registered an year-on-year increase of about 5.0 per cent in 2003, compared to a 10 per cent increase in 2002. Some 5Mt of cement were sold in 2003.