Cement News tagged under: USA
Fitch Ratings raises GCC outlook27 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsFitch Ratings has revised its outlook for Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) from 'Stable' to 'Positive.' The upward revision reflects Fitch's view that GCC's operations could gain momentum resulting from US construction spending expanding in 2014 driven by continued strength in residential construction, and to a lesser extent in modest recovery in commercial and public construction spending. The outlook also incorporates an expectation of higher public spending in Mexico in 2014. In Fitch... |
Vulcan sells cement assets to Cementos Argos24 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsVulcan Materials has agreed the sale of all of its cement activities, as well as certain downstream assets, to Cementos Argos for US$720m in cash. The deal, which is still subject to formal approval, is expected to be completed later during the first quarter. Vulcan will continue to supply aggregates to the assets being sold for a period of 20 years. The assets being deposed of consist of the Newberry, Florida, cement works and cement terminals and griding works at Tampa and at Port Manat... |
US shipments see annual gains13 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsTotal shipments of blended cement in the US and Puerto Rico in October 2013 were 8.7Mt, up eight per cent from October 2012, latest data from the USGS shows. Shipments for the year through October were 70.3Mt, up by about four per cent. The leading Portland cement-producing states in October were Missouri, California, Texas, Michigan and Florida (in descending order), accounting for about 43 per cent of total shipments for the month. The leading consuming states (Texas, California, Florida... |
Lafarge one step closer to completing US refocus10 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsLafarge announces the sale of five aggregates quarries and related assets in Maryland (USA) to Bluegrass Materials for a total enterprise value of US$320m. With these divestments, the group has now largely completed its strategy of refocusing on its core markets in the United States, the cement major said in a statement. Lafarge today operates a network of integrated positions mainly located in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River regions. It US operations consist of nine cement or grind... |
TXI 2Q sales increase, but net loss widens09 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsTexas Industries, Inc today reported a wider net loss for the quarter ended 30 November 2013 compared to the same period of last year, as a number of non-recurring and short-term factors masked the improvement in both demand and pricing it is experiencing in its markets. The company reported a quarterly loss of US$17.6m, or 62 cents a share, compared with a loss of US$11.1m in the same period a year earlier, or 40 cents a share. The prior-year period included a four-cent loss tied to d... |
US energy efficiency update09 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsUS cement industry energy consumption in 2012 decreased by 2.1 per cent against 2011 levels, the recently released annual Labor-Energy Input Survey by the PCA indicates. This energy decrease occurred despite the third consecutive year of increases in average clinker capacity utilisation rates, the PCA highlights. The use of coal and petcoke, the primary fuels for cement production, declined from 70 to 63 per cent. Natural gas’ contribution to the fuel mix surged from around four per cent i... |
New appointments at Buzzi Unicem USA09 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsDavid Nepereny has been elected as chairman of the board for Buzzi Unicem USA, effective 1 January 2014. Mr Nepereny will continue as president and CEO of the company until 30 April 2014, at which time he will relinquish this position. He has served as president and CEO for 24 years, and will continue as executive chairman. On 1 May 2014, Massimo Toso will be appointed president and CEO of Buzzi Unicem USA. At the same time, Toso will be appointed CEO of Alamo Cement Company and its... |
CRH full-year development spend07 January 2014, Published under Cement NewsCRH announced a total of seven acquisitions and investment initiatives in the second half of 2013, taking full-year development activity to EUR0.69bn. The company invested EUR0.22bn in the six months to the end of December last year, including one transaction in Asia, three under its American Materials division and a further three in its Distribution segment. Commenting on the these developments, CRH’s new chief executive Albert Manifold said: “Development spend of almost EUR0.7bn in 2013... |
USA: Saint-Gobain sells Its fibre cement business20 December 2013, Published under Cement NewsSaint-Gobain has signed an agreement for the sale of its US-based Fibre Cement business to Plycem USA, a subsidiary of Elementia of Mexico in which Lafarge holds 47 per cent of shares in its 2Mta Cementos Fortaleza plant. This business is part of Saint-Gobain's Exterior Products activity of the construction products segment. It manufactures and sells fibre cement siding, trim and accessory products for the US and Canadian residential and commercial construction markets. The business employs... |
USA: Union Bridge plant earns EPA ENERGY STAR® Certification19 December 2013, Published under Cement NewsLehigh Hanson Inc's plant in Union Bridge, MD, has earned the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) prestigious ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the facility performs in the top 25 per cent of cement plants nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. "At the Lehigh Cement plant in Union Bridge, we are committed to operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner," said Kent Martin, plant manager. "Earni... |