Global Cement will soon open its public poll for the Top 5 Global Cement influencers in 2012, where cement industry participants will be able to vote for individuals for the awards. In the meantime, to get the ball rolling, we divulge our own suggested list of the Top 5 Global Cement influencers in 2012:
1: Mario Draghi, head of the European Central Bank.
Mario Draghi has the difficult job of trying to steer the ECB through the Euro crisis, Europe-wide recession, the Greek default scenario and having to deal with intransigent and politicised national leaders. Will he start to print Euros to prop up the Eurozone? Will the ECB become the lender of last resort? Will the Euro survive? The answers to these questions determine not only the economic fate of Europe and many other countries around the world, but also their cement demand. He has power, but the markets also have a say in how this story pans out...
2: Mr X, president-apparent of China's politburo
Xi Jinping is the shoe-in new head of China's politburo, the organ of state that actually pulls the levers. He will take up his post at the end of 2012. Whether China has a hard or a soft landing (China's growth rate is moderating, but how quickly that happens will be critical) is finally up to him. China's cement industry, if you believe Chinese statistics, will be capable of producing 300Mt of cement more than domestic demand in 2012 and 2013. Whether the factories close down or produce at a lower rate, or send a wave of cement exports to disrupt cement markets around the world, is going to be the decision of Mr X.
3: Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework on Climate Change
She's ultimately in charge of negotiating the successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, which will have a massive impact on the size, distribution and future shape of carbon-intensive industries - including the cement industry - around the world. She might not provide the power of the ship, but she steers it.
4: Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency
Obama doesn't rate on my list - his head of the EPA does. The EPA's promulgation on new laws that undermine the operation of the US cement industry is one of the major avoidable factors in the steep decline and/or recovery of the US cement industry. Okay, the greatest recession for 60 years hasn't helped, but Lisa P. Jackson could hold off until the industry is finally back on its feet before 'putting the boot in.' Lay off Lisa!
5: You
Where's the head of Holcim on this list, or the head of CNBM (China's largest producer, and possibly the world's)? Where are the economists and forecasters? Where's Cembureau, the PCA, the AFCM or the WBCSD/CSI? Where's FLS or Sinoma? Where is everyone? The fact is, we all have a role to play in the future direction of the global cement industry: nudging it one way or another through our words and actions. Some people have a larger role, but whoever you are, You are an influencer. As a body of people, we have at least as much influence as the top four on this list. Use your influence wisely!
What do you think? Agree or disagree? Would you like to nominate a different five people (or organisations?) Or just one person? Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or join our Linked-In 'Global Cement' group and nominate there. We will add all your nominations to our poll for the Top 5 Global Cement influencers of 2012, which will open on 1 March. Start nominating!
