Displaying items by tag: Distribution

Brazil: CSN Cimentos is reviewing alternative options to raise funds to pay for its acquisition of LafargeHolcim Brasil’s cement assets after cancelling its planned initial public offering (IPO). The O Estado de São Paulo newspaper has reported that the producer abandoned the planned IPO of US$500m – US$1bn-worth of shares due to stock market turbulence. The value of the deal was US$4bn.

Benelux: Belgium-based building supplies chain EcoBati has signed a distribution agreement with France-based Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies. The producer will supply its H-Iona clinker-free cement for EcoBati to sell online and in its shops in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies owners Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann said "Signing a distribution agreement with an international specialist in ecological materials shows the competitive edge and relevance of our H-Iona cement within the context of the fight against global warming. We are therefore delighted with the signing of this partnership that allows us to benefit from the EcoBati network’s strategic retail outlets and provide a response to the exponential demand for sustainable cement. We intend to sign more such partnerships in the future in order to spread our responsible vision of the construction sector and contribute to the environmental transition."

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement says that it will export an additional 200,000t/yr of cement after it completes the 40% capacity expansion of its 1.0Mt/yr Rockfort cement plant to 1.4Mt/yr. In 2020, the producer exported 1580t of cement, all to North America, at a total value of US$156,000.

CBR News has reported that general manager Yago Castro said “We believe the right way is to invest in local manufacturing and make it bigger, solid and more powerful. This is why we’ve been increasing our production capacity over the past three to four years. Our team is always working on improving the supply to the market, quality of our products and service.”

The Jamaica Observer newspaper reported on 5 September 2021 that regular three-day lockdowns begun in Jamaica in August 2021 to stem the spread of Covid-19 have slowed Caribbean Cement’s distribution.

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has begun distributing its products from its new Rio de Janeiro distribution centre. The producer says that the facility has a capacity of 1000t/day of products, up by 52% from 658t/day at its previous Rio de Janeiro distribution centre. It will serve Grande Rio and Serrana, optimising the company’s logistics in the Southeast region.

Southeast regional logistics manager Luis Dovichi Mendes said, "With the heating up of civil construction and the residential renovation market, we invested in this new distribution centre to improve the urban distribution service in the state of Rio de Janeiro, offering a better logistics and service structure for our customers in the region.”

Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has built a new distribution centre in Campos Novos, Santa Catarina. When it opens in January 2021, the facility will supply a ‘complete portfolio for the civil construction market’ in Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. It will receive goods from six cement and building materials plants in the company’s South Brazil region.

Regional commercial general manager Tony Noritake said, “We invested in this distribution centre to better meet customer demand in the South, expand our presence and optimise costs."

India: Dalmia Bharat subsidiary Dalmia Cement has awarded a contract to payment solutions specialist Paytm for digitisation of its payment processes. United News of India has reported that Paytm will enable customers to use Paytm Wallet, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other cashless means in purchasing Dalmia Cement’s products from over 30,000 dealers and retailers across 22 Indian states and union territories, according to the producer.

Head of marketing and executive director Pramesh Arya said, “Dalmia Cement's emphasis on being digital first has helped our dealers and retailers carry out their day-to-day business transactions easily. Paytm has always stood for ease of use and convenience in the world of digital payments. Through this partnership, we aim to help our dealer community accept contactless and secure payments using Paytm Wallet, UPI, debit or credit card and online banking.” He added, “The idea is to maintain social distancing, reduce cash handling and minimise the risk of coronavirus exposure. This partnership is yet another step in Dalmia Cement's pursuit to bring Future Today - our brand credo - to life.”

UK: Quinn Building Products has renewed its cement exclusivity contract for the British market with National Buying Group (NBG) until the end of 2024. NBG will sell the cement under Quinn Building Products’ new Mannok brand.

Great Britain regional sales and marketing director Lee Gillman said, “Today’s announcement is a very clear signal of our intentions going forward under the Mannok name. We will bring with us everything we do best, which means we will continue to offer quality products and service to our customers and demonstrate real commitment to the merchants who are key to our company’s success, through strong working partnerships with bodies such as NBG. We are delighted to make this commitment with NBG, who have played a key part in the increased sales of cement we have experienced since launching our extended cement range in 2018. It has been a fruitful partnership for all involved, and one which we are very happy to continue for a further three years.”

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has presented 82 brand new trucks to its distributors to improve product distribution logistics to other retailers. A ceremony was held at the Enugu assembly plant of Shacman Truck following a driver training session, according to the Punch newspaper. The cement producer said that the trucks were presented under its Truck Empowerment Scheme, where distributors pay for the trucks on a 50-month instalment basis.

Philippines: Eagle Cement has announced the start of reduced production and distribution of cement from its 7.1Mt/yr Bulacan plant following the partial easing of the coronavirus lockdown in the Philippines in May 2020. Eagle Cement president and chief executive officer (CEO) Paul Ang said, “We are starting to ramp up production as local demand for cement picks up following the easing of restriction in markets that we serve. We fully support the government's call to prioritise critical infrastructure projects to help reboot the economy. We hope to be able to safely return to a semblance of normality, mobilise our supply chains, create jobs and stimulate consumer spending.”

India: Ramco Group subsidiary Ramco Cements has invested US$0.7m in a 46% share in Lynks Logistics. The company will serve the 17Mt/yr-installed capacity producer’s logistics and distribution needs for all of India.