Global Cement News

South Africa: The board of Sephaku Holdings, owner of Sephaku Cement and 36% owner of Nigeria-based Dangote Cement, has re-elected Kenneth Capes as chief executive officer (CEO) of Métier Mixed Concrete. The board also re-elected Capes as an executive director of Sephaku Holdings, a position he first attained in 2013. He co-founded Métier in 2007.

Germany: Frank Siefert has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of Claudius Peters Group. He also takes the role of managing director of Claudius Peters Projects. Siefert was previously with the Liebherr Group, a manufacturer of construction machinery, and brings with him a wealth of experience in the capital equipment sector. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has also held various senior positions in sales, technology and production during his career.

Kurt Herrmann has also been appointed as Managing Director - Global Sales, Claudius Peters Group and Managing Director Sales, Claudius Peters Projects. He joined the Claudius Peters group in 1991 and has held the position of Managing Director of Claudius Peters (China).

Germany: ThyssenKrupp has decided to retain Martina Merz as its chief executive officer (CEO) for a three year term from 1 April 2020. She was originally delegated to the position for a year. As part of the transition she will resign from the supervisory board.

The group has also decided to appoint Klaus Keysberg as its chief financial officer (CFO) following the resignation of Johannes Dietsch. Keysberg, who holds a PhD in business administration, will remain responsible for the materials businesses in addition to his new role as CFO. Plant Technology will in future be the responsibility of Martina Merz.

With these personnel changes the executive board of ThyssenKrupp now consists of only three members. In addition to Martina Merz as CEO and Klaus Keysberg as CFO, Oliver Burkhard will continue in his role as Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director.

Brazil: Germany-based Aumund subsidiary Aumund Brazil has appointed Paulo Lima its chief executive officer (CEO). Lima brings many years’ mechanical engineering experience, specialising in conveying technology in cement and other industries. He previously worked for Aumund Brazil in leading sales positions between 1996 and 2000 and from 2004 to 2008.

Uzbekistan: The total volume of cement produced in January and February 2020 in Uzbekistan was 1.02Mt, down by 20% year-on-year from 1.22Mt in the first two months of 2019. February 2020 production rose by 16% month-on-month and fell by 13% year-on-year, to 551,000t from 474,000t in January 2020 and 659,000t in February 2019.

Uzbekistan Newsline has reported that the level of utilisation of Uzbekistan’s 11.1Mt/yr cement production capacity in January and February 2020 was 55%.