Buzzi Unicem reported first-quarter turnover up 8.9% per cent to $649m (€588.5m).
Cement deliveries increased by 4.5% to 5.2 million tonnes while group ready-mixed concrete deliveries were ahead by 9.1% to 2.6 million cubic metres.
Buzzi Unicem’s US operations saw turnover up 5.5% to $283m (€256.8m) as higher deliveries in the mid-western regions and a recovery in demand for oil well cements compensated for the continued weak demand in Texas.
Ready-mixed concrete deliveries suffered from the weak market conditions in Texas was well as some price weakness. There was a favourable €8.7m exchange rate effect.
The Mexican associate Corporación Moctezuma recorded a 20% increase in turnover to €171.8m. Cement deliveries and prices showed improvements on a year ago, but ready-mixed concrete deliveries were below the level achieved in 2016.
Improved trading conditions in Central Europe, Italy and Eastern Europe, also favored by some additional working days compared to the first quarter of 2016.
