Cement News tagged under: Central America

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Cementos Argos readies itself for 'vibrant' US market growth

26 March 2015, Published under Cement News

With US demand recovery on a roll, Cementos Argos is readying itself for 'vibrant' growth in the years ahead with the group having consolidated its presence in nine strategic states. Last year, Argos recorded historic overall results in terms of both income and EBITDA, which rose above US$2.9m and US$534m (growth of 17 and eight per cent, respectively). The company reported unprecedented consolidated figures in terms of cement and concrete sales volumes, dispatching 12.5Mt of cement and 11M...

Honduras: cement price up HNL10.35 in past year

24 March 2015, Published under Cement News

A 42.5kg bag of cement in Honduras has seen its price rise by HNL10.35 (US$0.48) in the past 12 months as the ex-works price was dollarised. In February 2014, the Ministry of Economic Development (SDE) and cement companies agreed to set the price at US$7.60/bag. From February 2014 to March 2015 the price rose from HNL157.10 to HNL167.45/bag. However, regional variations exist. In the capital Tegucigalpa, a bag costs HNL178-180 while in Nacaome and San Lorenzo cement retails at HNL190/...

A bumpy recovery

02 July 2014, Published under Cement News

While Central America offers a healthy potential for infrastructure development and housing construction, limited economic growth and investment are expected to hinder a corresponding rise in cement demand going forward. In addition, the rapid build-up of capacity has resulted in lower utilisation rates across the region. By Rob Roy, ROI Economic Consulting, USA. Panama (pictured) is the fastest-growing cement market in Central America, followed by Guatemala Central America has ...

Ancap notes record loss for 2013

12 May 2014, Published under Cement News

Uruguay’s Ancap closed 2013 with a record loss of US$150m. The company attributed the result partly to developments in the exchange rate, which impacted the cement producer significantly as it borrows in US dollars. However, Ancap has been able to pay the US$513m debt with PDVSA, allowing it to reduce its dollar position and limiting the 2013 loss. CEO, José Coya, said the company will design a “stabilisation programme.” In 2012, Ancap registered a loss of US$14m while in 2011, this ...

Cemex increases first-quarter volumes

01 May 2014, Published under Cement News

Cemex' first-quarter turnover increased by 8.2 per cent to US$3590.7m, while the EBITDA improved by 2.7 per cent to US$535m. The trading profit rose by 11.7 per cent to US$267.7m. The net interest charge increased by 10.4 per cent to US$406.9m, to give a pre-tax loss 11.3 per cent higher at US$167.9m. The effective net debt was 0.9 per cent higher at US$16,325m, of which 88 per cent was in US dollar, 10 per cent in euro and two per cent in Mexican peso, with 66 per cent of the debt being ...

Honduran authorities to monitor cement prices

17 March 2014, Published under Cement News

The Secretariat of Economic Development in Honduras announced it will be monitoring cement prices to protect consumers in San Pedro Sula, northern Honduras. Miguel Angel Bonilla of the Consumer Protection Directorate said that apart from monitoring costs of basic products, the performance of the construction industry would also be reviewed. "We have turned the relevant instructions for our team to monitor cement prices, in order to prevent providers from acting to the detriment of con...

Honduras cement prices up for discussion

06 March 2014, Published under Cement News

The Honduras Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Competition and the country’s cement companies will meet Thursday to discuss changes to the price of cement. At present the price of a bag of cement is frozen at HNL160 (US$8.21). A decision is expected by 10 February as the following day the resolution holding the price at HNL160 expires. "We will have another meeting with the cement companies and probably next Monday we will be issuing a fina...

Argos: positive developments across the board

25 February 2014, Published under Cement News

Argos, closed 2013 with a strong rise in EBITDA on the back of positive contributions from all its regional divisions. Other highlights for the year were the inclusion of Argos on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, successful issuance of preferred shares in Colombia and abroad, and new acquisitions to close a successful year for Argos. “2013 was a year that completely transformed this company. The successful issuance of preferred shares significantly helped us implement our expansion stra...