19 February 2016
Canada/US: Illumiti has completed the first two phases of the deployment of SAP® Business Suite 4 SAP HANA® (SAP S/4HANA) for Monarch Cement. The business operation software suite designed to help companies run their business operations.
"We are very pleased to be implementing SAP S/4HANA and excited about the efficiencies it will bring to our operations over the longer term," said Karen Jarred, Monarch Cement's IT director. "One of the main reasons that we chose SAP S/4HANA was its ability to empower our management team by providing them with easy access to the information they need, when they need it." SAP S/4HANA is intended to provide a single business platform that will allow Monarch greater control of its operations in a scalable secure fashion.
The final phase of the implementation project is planned for completion in early April 2016 and will include finance/controlling and material management components.
Arabian Cement launches Al Nasr Cement 19 February 2016
Egypt: Arabian Cement Company (ACC) has launched Al Nasr branded Ordinary Portland Cement. The new branded cement is intended to penetrate new segments of the market. It has been launched in Cairo, Giza and Qlayoubia. ACC will continue to produce Al Mosalah branded cement in the other Delta markets.
"We are extremely pleased to announce launching our new cement brand in Egypt, which reinforces our position as one of the largest cement producers in the market," said Jose Maria Magrina, ACC Chief Executive Officer.
ACC also recently announced that is has renewed its plant operation agreement with NLSupervision (NLS). The agreement commenced on 1 February 2016 and run until 31 January 2021. NLSupervision is fully owned by FLSmidth, and will be operating both production lines at ACC's plant located in Suez Governorate.
K-Electric to provide Attock Cement with 16MW electricity 19 February 2016
Pakistan: K-Electric has signed an accord with Attock Cement to provide it with an additional 16MW of electricity. The agreement uses a one-window operation to server the additional power. The signing ceremony was attended by K-Electric's Chief Operating Officer Distribution, Asif Saad, and Chief of HSEQ & Special Projects Aamir Zafar along, with, other key members. Irfan Amanullah, Company Secretary for Attock Cement, along with his team members was also present on the occasion.
Court dismisses Tanga Cement tax charge 19 February 2016
Tanzania: The Court of Appeal has dismissed a disputed tax charge for US$371,000 against Tanga Cement as ‘incompetent.’ Counsel for Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Felix Haule, conceded that the appeal was indeed incompetent because the decree was not signed by members of the Tax Appeals Tribunal, according to local media. Before rejecting the two appeals, the Justices of the appeals court were informed that the respondents into the matters have lodged preliminary objections to challenge their competence for having offended the rules under the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal. The case was one of three worth over US$1.3bn that were also dismissed as part of a series of corporate tax appeal cases.
Shree Cement's highest bidder for limestone deposits in Chhattisgarh 19 February 2016
India: Shree Cement has offered the highest bid in an auction for limestone deposits at Karhi Chandi, Baloda Bazar in Chhattisgarh. The site has estimated reserves of 155Mt of limestone in an 252 hectare area. Official confirmation from the state government that confirms Shree Cement as the winner of the auction is still awaited.
Local press reports that Shree Cement offered US$4/t for the deposit. The sale was the first non-coal mining lease auction by the state government. Shree Cement has plans to expand its cement plant at Raipur.
Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has launched a new portfolio of bagged cement for the Brazilian market. The launch follows research with construction professionals and stakeholders. The company then set up a multidisciplinary group to develop its new portfolio of bagged cement from a consumer's viewpoint.
Specific products have been developed for different types of construction work. ‘Obras Estruturais’ is intended for foundations, columns, beams and structures. ‘Todas as Obras’ is intended for plasters, subfloors and slabs. ‘Obras Básicas’ is intended for repairs and renovations without structural function. ‘Obras Especiais’ is intended for industrial use as pavers, precast and artifacts. ‘Obras Especiais em Meios Agressivos’ is intended for coastal areas, pipes and sewage treatment facilities.
“For the non-specialist consumer, buying cement will be easier, more convenient and safer. For retailers and professional workers, this will bring more confidence in their recommendations, ensuring high quality and productivity at the construction site,” said Walter Dissinger, Global CEO of Votorantim Cimentos.
Bestway Cement profit rises by 47% to US$54.4m in first half 19 February 2016
Pakistan: Bestway Cement has reported that its profit after tax has risen by 47% year-on-year to US$54.4m from July to December 2015 from US$372m in the same period in 2014. Its revenue rose by 45.5% to US$201m from US$138m. It attributed the growth to the acquisition of Pakcem, an increase in domestic demand and stable prices during the period.
Domestic sales volumes for the company increased by 47% to 3.1Mt from 2.1Mt. It reported that overall dispatches by the Pakistan cement industry increased by 6.3% to 18.2Mt from 17.1Mt. Overall exports dropped by 26% to 3Mt from 4.1Mt. Bestway reported that it maintained its market share in the north of Pakistan and retained its position as the largest exporter of cement to Afghanistan and India, despite fierce competition.
Work on Bestway Cement’s 12MW waste heat recovery plant at Pakcem Kallar Kahar progressed during the period. The upgrade project is expected to cost US$15m.
Italcementi loss grows to Euro69.3m in 2015 19 February 2016
Italy: Italcementi’s loss has grown by 41.7% year-on-year to Euro69.3m in 2015 from Euro48.9m in 2014. The multinational cement producer blamed this on falling revenue per unit amidst general poor markets, particularly in Egypt. Despite this its revenue grew by 3.5% to Euro4.3bn in 2015 from Euro4.16bn in 2014, boosted by a stronger fourth quarter and currency effects.
Overall cement clinker sales volumes remained unchanged in 2015 at 43.4Mt. Growth in North Africa, Middle East (Egypt and Kuwait) and the more contained growth in North America was counterbalanced by downturns in Europe, Asia and Trading.
Italcementi expects growth in North America, moderate sales growth Egypt and stability in emerging markets in 2016. Demand for building materials is expected to be stable overall in Italy, France and Belgium, with a general recovery elsewhere in Eastern European and Mediterranean markets. It plans to raise prices in all areas except for India and Thailand.
The group also announced that it has completed the procedures for the sale of non-core assets to Italmobiliare, under the agreements signed by Italmobiliare with HeidelbergCement. Italcementi will sell to its parent Italmobiliare the stakes it holds in renewable energy company Italgen and e-procurement specialist BravoSolution, in addition to a building in the centre of Rome. The asset sales will be wrapped up on finalisation of the agreement between Italmobiliare and HeidelbergCement.