News

Italcementi’s first quarter 2013report shows similar challenges to the other European majors in terms of poor weather and sluggish demand in Europe and the Mediterranean. In Italy, especially, cement consumption continues to fall, prompting a reorganisation of the group’s production system. The ‘Project 2015’ programme will see a number of continuous cycle plants switch to grinding only, and Italcementi says it will still be able to meet cement demand in Italy, but in a manner that permits closer control of

CRH looks to be heading for €500 million in acquisition spending in the year to date, and the group said yesterday that it is targeting Russia and south-east Asia for further expansion. CRH said that it has spent approximately €385 million on 15 acquisitions and investments in a statement published at its annual meeting in Dublin, having recently agreeing to buy Mykolaiv Cement in Ukraine for €96 million. This makes CRH the biggest player in the industry in the eastern European country. Chief executive Myle

Wincanton has obtained a three-year distribution contract from Cemex. The logistics group will oversee the planning and transport to construction sites, retailers and wholesalers throughout the UK of bagged cement. The contract will see 15,000 loads per year ultimately distributed. The contract's value was not divulged.

Swedish construction firm NCC reduced its CO2 emissions in the Nordic region by 12,000 tonnes in 2012 by reusing old asphalt. NCC Roads has used 864,000 tonnes of asphalt granules made from old asphalt in 2012. The use of asphalt granules means NCC can reduce its use of bitumen, rock materials, and transports, and 15% of asphalt manufactured in 2012 was from asphalt granules. NCC is also increasing recycling capacity at its facilities in the region and 80% of its asphalt plants are now adapted for asphalt r

Representatives of the Italian stone sector have signed a renewal of the national collective labour agreement with trade unions Confindustria Marmomacchine, Fillea Cgil, Filca Cisl and Feneal Uil. The contract covers some 30,000 workers and guarantees an average salary increase of €130 in 2013-2016.

Turkish natural stone producer Ionic Stone is looking to invest TRY 2 million (€851,000) in two new mines in 2013. With the new investment, the company aims to increase its domestic sales ratio to 70% and focus on exports after 2013.

LiuGong Machinery Europe and Construction Plant & Machinery Sales (CPMS) have signed an official dealership agreement. Construction Plant & Machinery Sales is now authorised to provide sales and after-sales support in the southern counties of England for the LiuGong brand. The company, headquartered in Portsmouth, brings over 40 years of experience to the table as it begins marketing the entire LiuGong portfolio. Construction Plant & Machinery Sales has its own repair workshop, parts warehouse and experienc

Lafarge Tarmac has become an official sponsor of The Tour of Britain, the UK’s leading professional cycling race. As the UK’s leading construction materials and solutions company – and an expert in roads – Lafarge Tarmac will sponsor the County Surrey, southern England stage of the flagship event. The race is a cornerstone of the British sporting calendar and attracts the biggest live attendance of any sporting event in the UK. Over the last 18 months, Lafarge Tarmac’s Contracting division has undertaken a

Holcim says the during the first quarter of 2013 it succeeded in increasing net income and cash flow from operating activities and further reducing net financial debt compared with the end of March 2012 and achieving a better return on invested capital before tax. This was achieved despite the weaker construction activities in India, Morocco and France, the harsh winter in the northern hemisphere and the early Easter period which reduced the number of working days. Market and weather-induced decreases in sa

Latvian building materials producer and trader, Knauf, of Germany's Knauf International Group, posted a turnover of LVL 32mn (€45.7 million) in 2012, which was up by 15.5% from
2011. The company's profit increased by 9.5% in 2012. Knauf's major projects in 2012 included the construction of the Latvian National Library; the Rezekne Concert Hall; the
Cesis Children and Youth Centre and the Saldus Music School.

Rural properties covering over 700 acres are to be offered for sale after a strategic review by Cemex. Fisher German is offering the properties, which form part of the building and construction materials group's extensive UK land holding. The properties include bare arable land, residential properties and farming properties.