US: Global Cement understands from material published publicly on Breedon Group’s website that the UK-based company acquired ready-mix concrete, aggregates and building products company BMC Enterprises for US$300m on 6 March 2023. This marks the group’s first entry into the US building materials sector. Breedon Group described the acquisition as a ‘compelling opportunity’ in the ‘fragmented and growing’ market. It described BMC Enterprises as a highly attractive, established business upon which to grow a new group platform in the US, in addition to its existing platforms in the UK and Ireland.

Breedon Group CEO Rob Wood said “The acquisition of BMC represents a compelling opportunity for Breedon to launch our third platform. BMC has an excellent performance track record over a sustained period and is positioned in an attractive market for future growth. As a high-quality aggregates and concrete business that has grown at pace, organically and through acquisitions, with a strong management team and deep local knowledge, BMC’s culture and values are fully aligned with the Breedon business model.” Wood added "The acquisition is expected to be earnings-enhancing for shareholders, while allowing Breedon to maintain a conservative and flexible balance sheet to pay dividends and make further bolt-on acquisitions across each of our platforms as opportunities arise.”

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa revealed its 2023 financial results, with profit dropping by 4.7% year-on-year to US$32.6m, compared to US$34.2m in 2022.

CEO Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said “The fundamentals of our business remain strong in spite of extremely challenging macroeconomic headwinds.”

France: Representatives from the global cement and concrete industry will meet in Paris on 7- 8 March 2024 for the Global Buildings and Climate Forum. Industry leaders will seek to set out a framework for sustainable, decarbonised buildings.

Global Cement & Concrete Association CEO Thomas Guillot said “Our industry has been leading the way on decarbonisation through the implementation of our 2050 Net Zero Concrete Roadmap, and as our Roadmap sets out we are committed to fully decarbonising this essential material.”

Bruno Pillon, Chair the French cement association France Ciment, said “France and the whole world will still need to rely on cement and concrete for future infrastructure. But it’s really important that the cement and construction sectors, governments and suppliers all work together to achieve our net zero goal.”

Egypt: The Arabian Cement Company has reported a 36% year-on-year rise in its sales, reaching US$124m in 2023. Profits also saw a substantial jump, up by 94% to US$14.3m in 2023 from US$7.37m in 2022.