Dyckerhoff advances in Poland, the Ukraine and Russia

Preliminary figures from the Buzzi Unicem subsidiary Dyckerhoff show a 13.2 per cent increase in turnover to €1600m in 2010. Of this, 38 per cent was generated in Germany, 37 per cent in Eastern Europe and Russia, 14 per cent in the Benelux and 11 per cent in the United States. Group cement deliveries rose by 14.9 per cent to 15.91Mt and the ready-mixed concrete volume advanced by 19.2 per cent to 7.89m m³. Aggregates deliveries, on the other hand, were weighed down by reduced volumes in The Netherlands and in the Czech Republic/Slovakia and declined by 3.8 per cent to 5.51Mt. Capital expenditure in the year declined by a further 51.9 per cent to €87m, while the number of employees at the year-end was 2.5 per cent lower at 6,790.

Western European turnover advanced by 13.6 per cent to €829m, of which Germany accounted for approximately €608m. With the exception of Dutch aggregates, volumes improved in all markets and product ranges. Prices were under some pressure in the Dutch ready-mixed concrete market, but were stable in the more important German market. There was some downstream benefit from the initial consolidation of ready-mixed concrete operations in Germany and in Luxembourg. For this year, Dyckerhoff is expecting some further improvement in Germany, stable volumes in the Netherlands and a reduction in Luxembourg domestic demand.

In Dyckerhoff’s East European region, turnover advanced by 21.3 per cent to €598m on the back of higher volumes in Poland, the Ukraine and Russia. The Polish and Ukrainian construction markets grew by double digits in 2011. Cement prices and volumes rose in these three countries, but declined in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. Ready-mixed concrete prices rose in Poland and the Ukraine, but eased in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia. In 2012, Polish and Ukrainian cement and downstream volumes are envisaged to show continued growth across the board and the Russian cement market is forecast to increase further on the back of an expected 8 per cent increase in construction spending.
 
The United States associate’s turnover declined by a further 8.9 per cent to €175m as cement volumes eased and prices remained under pressure. For the current year, a broadly flat turnover is envisaged.