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Martin Marietta reports 59% higher net sales in 2014 04 March 2015
US: Martin Marietta has reported consolidated net sales of US$780m in 2014, compared to US$491m in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 59%. Its cement business net sales were US$100m, earnings from operations were US$22.5m and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were US$37.7m.
"2014 was a transformational year for Martin Marietta and we are proud of the results we delivered, including a 77% year-on-year increase in fourth quarter 2014 net earnings," said Ward Nye, chairman, president and CEO of Martin Marietta. "Employment growth in the US, a stimulus for construction activity, is at its highest rate since 2006. Texas leads the nation in job growth, with widespread gains across many industry sectors, including trade, professional business services, leisure and hospitality, education and health services."
Management changes at Cemex in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Written by Global Cement staff
04 March 2015
Czech Republic/Slovakia: The sale of Holcim's operations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has prompted a series of management changes to Cemex's operations in those countries.
Hermann Dietrich has been appointed as Cemex's vice president for strategic planning in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Henning Weber has become the vice president for operation and technology at the cement division, Mariusz Kostowski has been named as the trade and logistics director with the cement division and Justus Geiseler has been appointed as the BSO director. Lubos Merunka and Hana Fidrova, who have been named as the head of the stone aggregate division and the company lawyer respectively, both came to Cemex from Holcim after the asset handover.
Cemex's general director in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Peter Dajko, has stated that the company is not planning any additional personnel changes in the foreseeable future.
State assesses measure to ensure cement consistency 03 March 2015
Costa Rica: The government of Costa Rica is considering a measure to increase competition in the local cement market, for which accredited ratings agencies would define regulations on the consistency of cement to be sold in the country. This should enable the import of cement from more distant countries, such as China.
The current law prohibits the sale of cement when more than 45 days have passed since the production date, while the material should maintain a resistance of 28MPa. Economy Minister Welmer Ramos said that the existing regulations impede competition, while there are certified laboratories that are capable of demonstrating the quality of cement. However, there are fears that building works could be damaged if an adequate standard is not established.
Cemex to develop gas power plants in Mexico 03 March 2015
Mexico: Cemex plans to build new power plants in Mexico using natural gas, according to Cemex Energia chief executive Luis Farias. "We are looking to develop a 300MW gas project in the north of the country, near the border with the US," said Farias. Cemex is also looking at a portfolio of three to five 70MW plants, complementing existing installations at its cement plants where it already has access to gas.
Rain Cement to develop 7MW waste heat recovery system 03 March 2015
India: The board of directors of Rain Commodities Ltd has given the go ahead to a proposal to develop a 7MW waste heat recovery (WHR) system at Rain Cement's plant in Boincheruvupalli Village, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh.
The power plant will produce up to 7MW of gross electrical energy from the waste heat and flue gases produced during the cement manufacturing process at a project cost of US$11.3m. The project that will be funded by internal accruals and bank loans and is expected to be completed in about 14 months.