Ukrainian HeidelbergCement plant resumes operations

HeidelbergCement is considering adding South African and Mozambique production capacity as the German company seeks to tap growing demand for construction material in Africa, reports Bloomberg. “Africa is an important part of our emerging markets exposure,” chief executive Bernd Scheifele said in a recent interview. The continent “has seen very stable growth in demand for cement in the last few years, which is independent from what’s happening in the world economy.” Demand is growing at a rate of about 5 mi

HeidelbergCement, the construction materials group, reported a 13% rise in operating profit to €1.6 billion for 2014. Adjusted sales revenues amounted to €12.6 billion in 2014. The German sector giant is said to be benefiting from the declining oil price, which lowers cement production costs. In addition, CEO Bernd Scheifele is expecting HeidelbergCement to benefit from the weak euro and the development in industrialised countries in particular in North America and the UK.

Meanwhile the company’s supervi

Highlights of Heidelberg Cement’s third-quarter results show that the group had its best operating income since the financial crisis and there have been increased sales volumes in all business lines.
The group says that revenue increased by 4% to €3.8 billion (like-for-like, +7%); operating income improved by 13% to €675 million despite negative exchange rate effects (like-for-like, +19%) and operating cash flow improved and net debt was reduced.
The outlook for 2014 is confirmed and HeidelbergCement says