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As we go to press, preparing for another ConExpo-Con/Agg show in Las Vegas, some of the glitter of that city seems to be rubbing off on major sector companies.
It is the time of year when the companies unveil their fourth-quarter/full-year results, and reviewing the financial figures for 2013 it seems to have been another successful year for most quarry operators with many recording growth in both turnover and profits.

A concrete laboratory worth US$1 million (€725,000) has been commissioned in Zambia by cement firm Lafarge Zambia.

The new laboratory will provide concrete and aggregates tests to improve the quality of various infrastructure projects in Zambia, and is the first of its kind in the country.

In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, production in most cement units dropped to just around 50% of capacity, while prices have fallen by between INR 50 (€0.59/US$0.82) and INR 60 per bag to below INR 200 per bag.

According to a statement, cement prices stood at between INR 185 and INR 195 per bag in Hyderabad, followed by between INR 220 and INR 225 per bag in other areas in the state.

In the Telangana region, cement prices stood below INR 200 per bag. The decline in the cement industry was due to

Following the acquisition by Italy's Buzzi Unicem, construction material producer Dyckerhoff will cut 48 administrative staff at its corporate head office in Wiesbaden as certain functions will be taken over by Buzzi Unicem.

Dyckerhoff's remaining 328 administrative staff in Wiesbaden will be granted a job guarantee until June 2015.

Mexican cement company Cemex expects to see its EBITDA in the USA double in 2014 versus 2013, thanks to a predicted 8% increase in demand from the country.

In 2013, Cemex had a U$255 million (€185 million) EBITDA in the US, which is one of its main markets. As the company expects to see better conditions in most of its markets in 2014, it aims to reach a $4.7 billion consolidated EBITDA in 2016. In 2013, its EBITDA was $2.64 billion, although its consolidated sales of cement dropped 1%.

ASEC Cement is seeking to divest its 35% stake in the Zahana cement works. Citadel Capital, the company that manages the Egyptian cement company's portfolio, is seeking to help ASEC Cement focus on its strategic activities and is in preliminary discussions with its Algerian partner GICA (Groupe industriel des ciment d'Algérie). The latter feels that ASEC did not meet its commitments made in 2008. The partnership was to help the site increase from 800,000 tonnes/year to 2 million tonnes/year, but that as of

Siam Cement Group (SCG) of Thailand will be overhauling its business plans to deal with the effect of the economic outlook and the political trouble in the country.

The cement company is now targeting at more exports and trading with the market in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) region.

Due to the poor market conditions in the country, SCG will have its cement exports maintained at 4 million tonnes in 2014, targeting at markets including Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Under the ex

In Indonesia, a new cement factory will be built by state-run cement maker Semen Indonesia's unit Semen Gresik for IDR 3.7 trillion (€235 million). The factory in Rembang, central Java will have an output capacity of 3 million tonnes/year when it begins operation in 2016. Also, the cement company has signed a deal to secure a letter of credit facility worth IDR 1.40 trillion from Bank Mandiri to support the project.

Sika has introduced its new Sika Concreto Forte and Sika 3 Plus concrete aggregates during Feicon 2014, a construction industry event held in Brazil. These aggregates make concrete used for residential construction as strong as concrete used for civil engineering works.

The Swiss company has also said it intends to launch two more plants in Russia in the near future, according to CEO Jan Jenish.

Currently, Sika has three plans of dry mortars and concrete admixtures in Russia located in the cities of R

Lafarge Tarmac has boosted its commitment to improving cycle safety and cutting vehicle emissions by becoming the first UK heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet operator to be approved to undertake whole fleet accreditation as part of Transport for London’s Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

By gaining accreditation to audit its fleet of over 1,450 HGVs, which includes those of its contractor haulier supply chain, the company is driving forward a nationwide commitment to improve safety and environment

Anaconda Equipment International has been named as one of Ireland’s best managed companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards Programme, which in association with Barclays Bank Ireland, recognises indigenous Irish companies across the island of Ireland which are operating at the highest levels of business performance. Chief executive and group managing director, Alistair Forsyth said: “Anaconda’s success was driven by its talented and eager workforce. We are committed to retaining key staff and

The Chairman’s Circle Award, which was established in February 2014, is presented annually to subsidiaries of Astec Industries in recognition of outstanding overall performance, and Kolberg-Pioneer was one of seven subsidiaries to earn the award recently.

The award is given to subsidiaries that achieve both financial and non-financial goals, including safety, according to Jeff May, president of Kolberg-Pioneer, which recorded one of its best years in company history in 2013.

“We are incredibly honored

Sandvik Construction has appointed First Nitro as its new distributor for surface drilling products in the Philippines. The company will not only be supplying a comprehensive range of Sandvik surface drilling equipment, but will also be providing full aftermarket care, spare parts and dedicated customer service.

Sandvik’s world leading ranges of construction equipment require no introduction; but now surface drilling and rock tool customers in the Philippines will be able to benefit from even greater lev

KPI-JCI and Astec Mobile Screens celebrated a record year and honoured nine employees for excellence at its annual sales meeting.

The year 2013 marked an all-time sales record since the company’s inception in 1928, according to Mike Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing of the worldwide manufacturer for the aggregate, recycling and construction industries.

“Our record performance in 2014 is attributable to the execution of our strategic initiatives and our strong business alliance with our di

Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland-based concrete and construction machinery manufacturer Rapid international has invested in a state of-the-art Hodge Clemco shot-blasting facility and Dalby paint booth.

Rapid previously sub-contracted industrial coating but spent time researching the best practice and best available techniques, with a view of making this service available in house, and it says it has now invested in this world class facility, ensuring confidence in the industrial coating provide

Lafarge Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions group, has boosted its executive committee with the appointment of a new group marketing and commercial director, Susan Room.

Room joins the company’s leadership team and will report into Cyrille Ragoucy, chief executive officer. She will be responsible for leading commercial and marketing strategy across Lafarge Tarmac and developing customer-focused solutions.

An experienced strategic business-to-business mark

Joe Vig, a group president with Astec Industries, has been named Grasstops CEO of the Year by the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA).

The award honours the chief executive officer who has been particularly active in recruiting those outside the aggregates industry in advocating for transportation, as well as setting an example for employees regarding the importance of participating in the Grassroots programme.

He was presented with the award during NSSGA’s annual convention in Las Ve

A new chapter in the UK Mineral Products Association’s (MPA) history of partnership working to further the outcomes of biodiversity enhancement has taken place.

Dr Carol Williams, director of Conservation at the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), was invited as a guest speaker to the MPA meeting of its Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Group and new ways to work together were examined.

She introduced the group to the world of bats and the threats and opportunities to their future conservation, and prese

The Global demand for cement and concrete additives is projected to increase 9.3% annually to $21.2 billion (€15.4 billion) in 2017.

According to analyst Mike Richardson: “Although growth in world cement consumption will decelerate from that of the 2007-2012 period, a number of factors will contribute to robust value growth for additives.”

Additive loadings are increasing in all but the most developed markets, and even in those, fibre additive usage is becoming more prevalent. A shift to higher-perfor

Sandvik Construction has appointed GMK Korund as its new distributor for Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushers and Screens in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. GMK Korund will not only be supplying a comprehensive range of Sandvik Mobiles but will also be providing full aftermarket care, spare parts and dedicated customer service.

GMK Korund is an established name through Kazakhstan and Central Asia, with offices, workshops, service engineers throughout the area. Additionally, when the situation re