Colombia: Cementos Argos’s sales revenue and earnings have fallen in the first nine months of 2017 due to poor performance in Colombia. Its sales revenue fell by 1.3% year-on-year to US$2.14bn from US$2.17bn in the same period in 2016. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 16.8% to US$352m from US$424m. However, its cement sales volumes rose by 15.4% to 12.2Mt from 10.5Mt.

“Thanks to the sound implementation of the BEST Program, we have made significant improvements in a particularly challenging year for our industry. By the end of this year, we are optimistic about the performance of all the markets in which we operate,” said Juan Esteban Calle, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cementos Argos.

By region, the cement producer reported growth in the US but problems in Colombia. It highlighted that cement and clinker imports to Colombia have fallen in 2017 due to rising tariffs. It also expects the local market to recover in 2018. In the Caribbean and Central America the group’s performance suffered from extreme weather events, although it managed to grow its revenue. It also reported that its cement plant in Puerto Rico is still not operational.