Cement News tagged under: Holcim

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Spanish cement woes continue

28 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Spanish cement consumption continues its downward spiral with latest data showing monthly figures hitting a 46-year low as budget austerity and high unemployment continue to inhibit activity. Depressed volumes are now forcing local producers to initiate restructuring and cost-cutting measures as the bottom of the decline is yet to be seen. Following the spectacular burst of the Spanish housing bubble in 1998, the country's residential sector has faced high housing inventory levels and a l...

Holcim to cut 35% of workforce in Spain

23 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim will have to cut 373 jobs in Spain (equivalent of 35 per cent) of its staff in the country, local press have reported. The Swiss-based major  is to shut down part of its production capacity in Toledo and to close its plant in Murcia on the back of declining Spanish demand and a weak outlook. Holcim's Spanish sales have slumped by 63 per cent since 2007. In the first four months of 2012, demand in Spain plunged by 40 per cent YoY. Abstracted from an original article in Cinco Dias.

JP Morgan ups Holcim price target on US outlook, risks remain

21 May 2012, Published under Cement News

JPMorgan raises Holcim's price target to CHF56.50 from CHF55.20 due to optimism on the outlook for the private building sector in the US. "Much better volumes in cement and great weather has provided some hope for the sector," says analyst Michael Morris. Still "risks remain in India, where Holcim is most exposed," he notes.

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...

Philippines: Holcim to reopen Batangas grinding station

03 May 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim Philippines is reopening its grinding plant in Mabini, Batangas, next year because of the strong local demand for cement. Holcim said it is optimistic that demand for cement will continue to flourish, especially with the government's infrastructure projects and boom in housing. Upon its reopening in 2013, the grinding plant with an existing capacity of 7.7Mta Holcim will spend around PHP400m (US$9.4m) to rehabilitate the factory with an additional 0.5Mta capacity. The Mabini pla...

Holcim

03 May 2012, Published under Cement News

The leading Russian cement producer Eurocement has spent CHF100m (€83m) to increase its stake in Holcim from 10.1 to 10.8%. ACC Limited, the larger of Holcim's two main subsidiaries in India, generated a first quarter turnover 18.7% ahead at INR. crore 3,015 (€432.3m) as cement deliveries increased by 9.1% to 6.62Mt The EBITDA improved by 10.4% to INR crore 648m (€9.3m), but the pre-tax profit fell by 56.84% to INR crore 208 (€3.0m) and the net profit declined by 56.6% to INR crore 152 (€2...

Holcim (US) Inc celebrates group centennial, USA

20 April 2012, Published under Cement News

The Waltham, Massachusetts headquarters of Holcim (US) Inc is participating in a year-long community service initiative to mark the centennial anniversary of its parent company, Holcim Ltd. Holcim (US) is celebrating this 100-year anniversary by participating in Together for Communities, an initiative in which Holcim employees lead local volunteer projects. "Our employees at the Holcim headquarters have responded with vigor to the challenge of Together for Communities," said Bernard Terve...

Two Holcim plants recognised at PCA spring meeting, USA

18 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Holcim announced today that its Holly Hill in Holly Hill, SC and Theodore in Theodore, AL, plants, have been recognised by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) at its Spring Board of Directors meeting in Chicago on 16 April 2012. The Holly Hill plant received the PCA's prestigious Chairman's Safety Performance Award in recognition of their exceptional health and safety programmes. The Theodore plant received the Environmental Performance Award in recognition of the steps they take beyond t...

Eurocement increases stake in Holcim, Switzerland

12 April 2012, Published under Cement News

Russia's largest cement maker Eurocement has increased its stake in Holcim to 10.8 per cent, newspaper Handelszeitung reports in article to be published Thursday. Eurocement's owner, Filaret Galchev-Kaltsidis, has spent CHF100m (US$109m) to raise its holding from 10.1 per cent, the paper reports. "Our position in Holcim is now about 35 million shares, or 10.8 per cent. We have taken advantage of the low share prices for the purchase," Thierry Sauvaire, chief executive of Eurocement Holdi...