- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
Our recent Global CemPocess Conference on process optimisation in the cement industry was a bit of an eye-opener. The event started with a presentation by Jose Favilla of the IBM Industry Academy, ostensibly about ‘Industry 4.0 in cement manufacturing.’ This concept has been heralded as the next industrial revolution, although it could also be called ‘the last industrial revolution,’ since after this one, there will be nothing left to improve.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
In the book ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,’ the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything was given - after a supercomputer called Deep Thought had cogitated upon it for seven and a half million years - as 42. Perhaps the question should have been phrased better. I’ve often thought about what might be the meaning of life, since answering this question will help you to make decisions about the way you live. Now, approaching my 50th birthday in June and any mid-life crisis, I’m thinking about it again. Since a sports car and/or mistress are currently unaffordable to me, I think that I should find meaning somewhere else in life.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
I’ve recently read a book called ‘Postcapitalism,’ by Paul Mason, which was subtitled ‘A guide to our future.’ The blurb on the front, written by Irvine Welsh, stated that it was ‘The most important book about our economy and society to be published in my lifetime.’ Having completed the book, I’m disinclined to believe the veracity of Mr Welsh’s statement. However, the book did have some interesting points to make, which might impact on everyone involved in the global cement and building materials industry.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
I was recently visiting the Sant Vincenç dels Horts cement plant of Cementos Molins S.A., on the field trip of the Global CemFuels Conference in nearby Barcelona, when I noticed a small dark bird perching on a stump, just between the preheater tower and the main petcoke storage building. The bird bobbed up and down a few times and then flew into the nearest tree. It reminded me of a wagtail, only it was much darker. I didn’t get a great look at it. Then, at the end of the tour, we congregated at the striking concrete-built headquarters building, and I noticed a tiny bird singing for all it was worth in the coniferous tree just outside the entrance. It was hard enough to even spot it, let alone identify it and it soon flew off. However, seeing these two birds in such an industrial location made me think.
- Written by Robert McCaffrey Editorial Director, Global Cement Magazine
How much debt is the right amount? My guess is that everyone reading this column will have a slightly different answer. Some might say, ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be,’ or words to that effect, suggesting that their level of debt is zero. Some will no doubt have too much debt - where the repayments are not affordable. Most readers will have some level of debt (on a mortgage, car payments, credit cards etc) and will find that the level of repayments is currently affordable. Hopefully no readers are subject to the depradations of usury: the practice of making unethical or immoral monetary loans that unfairly enrich the lender1.
