Chicago Pneumatic’s Indian compressor boost
Chicago Pneumatic has launched a major upgrade of its diesel-powered portable compressor range for the Indian market, with the introduction of 12 new models to give an expanded range.
”Innovative features such as new engine/element combinations provide increased efficiency and productivity, with additional features offering enhanced safety and impressive reductions in unit footprints, fuel/oil consumption and overall cost of ownership,” says the company.
Designed and manufactured in Pune, India, the C
Cat K Series wheeled loaders
The new Cat K Series small wheeled loaders, 924K, 930K and 938K, have been completely redesigned, says the company.
Incorporating a new engine that meets emissions standards equivalent to EU Stage IIIA and US EPA Tier 3 standards “significant new features deliver enhanced performance, fuel efficiency and operator comfort.”
Among those features are an efficient electronically controlled hydrostatic drive system, new optimised Z-bar loader linkage, refined operator’s station and a choice of couplers a
Interest in Terex Finlay 883 Spaleck
The Finlay Group reports a surge in interest for Terex Finlay’s new 883 Spaleck, particularly from clients involved in processing construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
The new screener, combining Terex Finlay’s heavy-duty 883 with Spaleck’s 3-D combi Flip-Flow design, may be able to help address issues resulting from the classification of trommel fines for UK Landfill Tax.
Trommel and screen fines are now classed as non-inert due to the contamination from plastic, wood and other biodegradable waste
Quarrying for Indian Desert Cream granite
An Indian quarry company has an ambitious mission: to become the world’s biggest quarry owners in the span of one or two years. Pacific Stone Mart, a family-run group, is led by “visionary” B.R. Agarwal, chairman and managing director, and his sons Rahul Agarwal and Ashish Agarwal. B.R. Agarwal is an entrepreneur whose dream is to create the world’s best educational institutes in Gujrat and Rajasthan in northern India, including medical, dental and technical education.
Semen Indonesia’s new cement packing plant in Banjarmasin
Semen Indonesia has opened a new cement packing plant in Banjarmasin, capital of South Kalimantan province, to help satisfy demand for local construction material.
A port capable of unloading 300tonnes/hour will be installed at the new plant. The plant features a silo cement storage that has two production lines that can pack 2,200bags/hour. The cost of the plant is estimated at €7.58 million (IDR 120 billion).
With the new packing plant, the company is able to reduce distribution costs and enhance effic
India’s Ambuja Cements is top awards’ runner-up
India's Ambuja Cements was the first runner-up at the Assocham CSR Excellence Awards for 2013-14, held at the 6th Global Corporate Social Responsibility Summit in New Delhi.
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) recognised efforts by the Ambuja Cement Foundation towards water conservation, health and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, economic enhancement, HIV and AIDS awareness, education of local youth, and encouraging women's self-help groups.
Cimentos de Mocambique posts higher turnover in 2013
In 2013, Cimentos de Portugal's (Cimpor) Mozambican subset, Cimentos de Mocambique, managed to record a turnover of €141.9 million, up by 5.4% on a yearly basis.
Sales of clinker and cement for the unit stood at 1.299 million tonnes, up 9.8% year-on-year. Its concrete sales, in particular, were 172,000m³, up 49.8% on 2012. Cimentos de Mocambique invested €24.5 billion in 2013, which has been channelled into setting up a cement mill in Dondo, Beira.
Italcementi to merge with Ciments Francais?
It is reported that Italian cement manufacturer Italcementi may be working on a plan to merge with French peer Ciments Francais. Italcementi currently holds an 83.1% stake in Ciments Francais, and its parent company holds a 2.7% stake, while a 13% stake of Ciments Francais capital is listed on Paris stock exchange. According to financial analysts, the operation may save up to €200 million of costs.
Italcementi has also been put under observation by Moody's for a possible rating upgrade. Currently, the firm
Indonesia cement sales rise
Quoting official figures, state-run Semen Indonesia said 4.4 million tonnes of cement were sold in Indonesia in February 2014, up 2.9% year-on-year.
Of this, 2.4 million tonnes were sold in Java, a year-on-year rise of 4%, whereas sales in East and West Java climbed by over 12% amid Mount Kelud's volcanic eurptions in East Java.
Figures were released by the Indonesia Cement Association (ASI). Cement is one the primary indicators to determine domestic spending in Indonesia.
Anjani Portland Cement to be taken over by India’s Chettinad Cement
Chettinad Cement Corporation (CCC) of India says it will acquire Anjani Portland Cement (APC) for around €11.79 million (INR 1 billion). APC has debt of €25.85 million (INR 2.22 billion), limestone reserves and a cement plant with annual output of 1.2 million tonnes.
PPC and Lafarge Cement eye Zimbabwe network expansion
The Zimbabwean subsidiary of South Africa-based cement producer PPC is looking to build a factory worth €179.81 million in Zimbabwe. The unit is currently conducting a feasibility study at the limestone deposit in Rushinga. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of one million tonnes.
Meanwhile, another cement producer, Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe (Lafarge Cement), is revamping its operations in the country. The firm has posted a €6.46 million net operating income in 2013. In addition, it has s
No new Vietnam cement projects in 2015-2016, authorities tell industry chiefs
Vietnamese authorities have told project owners not to start new cement projects because of the country’s current oversupply of the building material.
Cement consumption in Vietnam has been below what was expected because of the sluggish property markets, with several construction and housing projects still being delayed. Now, supply is higher than demand as the total capacity of the cement industry in the country reaches about 70 million tonnes, while yearly consumption totals at just 61 million tonnes,
Saudi Arabian companies’ mixed cement sales
Fourteen cement companies in Saudi Arabia recorded a 4% growth in sales from 53.5 million tonnes in 2012 to 55.6 million tonnes in 2013, according to Argaam Business Info.
However, further figures show sales in February 2014 dropped 3% from 4.74 million tonnes to 4.59 million tonnes on a year-on-year basis. Despite that, clinker production rose 5% to 4.07 million tonnes. In the month under review, Arabian Cement Company recorded a 41% jump in sales, followed by Safwa Cement Company to 6%, compared with 10
Siam Cement Group building new cement plant in Myanmar
Siam Cement Group (SCG) of Thailand is developing a new €288.51 million cement plant in Myanmar. The plant is expected to be ready in 2016 and will produce two million tonnes of cement a year.
Metso makes senior mining and construction division appointment
Metso has appointed Juha Silvennoinen as the Finnish company’s new president, services business line in mining and construction with responsibility for the development of the Group's overall services business.
Silvennoinen has made a long career in ABB where he has held several executive positions in various businesses. In his last position at ABB he was responsible for Motors and Generators business unit, which employs some 16,000 people globally.
In addition to his role as president, services business l
Hexagon to acquire leading mining safety solutions firm SAFEmine
Hexagon, a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualisation technologies, has signed an agreement to acquire SAFEmine, a leader in the field of safety solutions for mining operations.
Headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, SAFEmine provides comprehensive traffic safety solutions for vehicles operating in open-pit mines. Built around a compact collision avoidance system, SAFEmine’s technology increases situational awareness and reduces accidents by actively alerting the vehicle operator to immi
Spain’s Cementos Portland reduces loss to €72mn
Cementos Portland has announced a €72 million loss in 2013. The FCC subsidiary managed to cut in half its loss from the previous year. Turnover in 2013 was down 17.3%, reaching €541 million and EBITDA was down 25.7% at €50.4 million.
Lafarge Malaysia unveils Q4 2013 net profit
Lafarge Malaysia (Lafarge) registered a net profit of MYR 386mn (€86.28 million) in 2013, while that in October-December 2013 rose 23% on-year to MYR 130 million. Also, the revenue of the construction aggregates, cement and concrete company in the three months from operations in and outside Malaysia increased 9% and that in 2013 reached MYR 2.85 billion.
CRH to dispose 30% of subsidiary portfolio
CRH is set to dispose up to 30% of its subsidiary portfolio, with 20% set to be reviewed for potential restructuring.
Any potential sales could happen in a three-year time frame, said CRH's finance director Maeve Carton.
According to Albert Manifold, group CEO of CRH, the additional 20% of assets will “most unlikely” be up for sale.
The company noted that 45 subsidiary companies will make up the remaining 10% of its current asset base set for “orderly disposal.” It was also noted that the company
FLSmidth appoints new Group Financial Officer
FLSmidth has appointed Lars Vestergaard as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and member of Group Executive Management. He succeeds Ben Guren who has decided to leave the company due to personal reasons as per 7 March 2014.
Lars Vestergaard, 39, is a Danish citizen and will take up the position as CFO 1 April, 2014. He holds a Master of Science in Business Management and brings with him international experience in the role as CFO as well as international experience in change management, IT management an