Concrete

Crowds pour into World of Concrete 2013

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2021

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After the slowdown in the economy, the World of Concrete 2013 received a huge response as the crowds poured in large numbers which clearly signified that recession is over.

After a long, harsh downturn, concrete contractors and suppliers are looking up as they face a "huge pent-up demand," said Portland Cement Association chief economist Ed Sullivan, who spoke Feb. 5 at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas. "The pendulum had swung too far, but it’s going to swing back," Sullivan said. "Household debt-to-income ratio is at its lowest rate since the early 1980s." The weeklong international conference and trade show each year serves as a bellwether for the upcoming construction season. This year’s concrete show saw just under 55,000 visitors, a 5.3 per cent increase since 2012, according to Hanley Wood, Show Manager. Net exhibit space also grew to 605,000 sq ft, an 8 per cent annual increase.

In October, the World of Concrete franchise will expand with a new show in Hyderabad, India. The four-day WOC India will be produced in partnership with the Indian Concrete Institute. WOC has previously held shows in Mexico.

Housing Starts Up

A boost in residential construction has economists optimistic about concrete use in the months and years ahead. An 8.1 per cent yearly growth in U.S. cement consumption is expected in 2013, driven by 954,000 new housing starts-or nearly 30 per cent more than in 2012, PCA noted.

Although the first half of 2013 is expected to see a tepid economic growth, things should gain steam in the second half of the year. PCA projects an 8.3 per cent cement consumption increase for 2014 followed by an up to 9.2 per cent annual gain between 2015 and 2017.

"The average contractor has reset himself to a new norm, and now he’s ready to move forward," said Don Ahern, president of Ahern Rentals, whose manufacturing unit exhibited its Xtreme brand of telescopic handlers and modular jobsite cubes. "The credit crunch is starting to un-crunch."

Yet the downturn’s lingering effects still hovered over the Las Vegas Convention Center. Familiar vendors were missing, while small booths and empty spaces still pockmarked the show floor. "It was a tough, long recession," But it’s clearly over now, and good times are ahead of us," said Ahern.

Concrete

GMDC Inks Long-Term Limestone Supply Deal With JK Cement

The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonne.

Published

12 hours ago

February 3, 2025

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State-owned GMDC said it has entered into a long-term pact with JK Cement Ltd for the supply of limestone from its upcoming mine in Gujarat.

The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat.

This agreement will help JK Cement Ltd in setting up an integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region.Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production.

The state-owned company has five operational lignite mines in Kutch, South Gujarat, and Bhavnagar region.

Concrete

GMDC, J K Cement Ltd. Tie-up for Limestone from Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growt

Published

20 hours ago

February 3, 2025

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Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC) has signed a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LSA) with JK Cement Ltd. for the supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch District in Gujarat. The signing event was chaired by the Chairman of GMDC Ltd. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) on January 29, 2025 and the agreement was officially formalised by Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC Ltd., and Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head – Grey Cement of JK Cement Ltd., representing their respective organisations.

This agreement marks a strategic partnership towards monetising the large limestone asset of GMDC Ltd. and benefiting both the partners. It will support J K Cement Ltd. in setting up a greenfield integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region. The collaboration will stimulate investment, enhance industrial development, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Kutch, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of Gujarat. Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production. Furthermore, this initiative will contribute substantially to the State Exchequer through revenue generation in the form of Royalty, National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and Goods & Services Tax (GST) on both limestone and cement production.

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growth while ensuring the sustainable utilization of mineral resources, thereby strengthening Gujarat’s position as a leading industrial and economic State.

Concrete

JK Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Saifco Cement to Expand in J&K

Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million.

Published

3 days ago

February 1, 2025

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JK Cement has made a significant move in its growth strategy by acquiring a 60% equity stake in Saifco Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The acquisition, valued at approximately Rs 1.74 billion, was approved during a board meeting on January 25, 2025.

Located in Khunmoh, Srinagar, Saifco’s integrated manufacturing unit, which includes both clinker and grinding capacities, aligns with JK Cement’s expansion plans. Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million, and this acquisition not only strengthens JK Cement’s presence in the region but also offers a strategic advantage in the competitive Indian cement industry.

Saifco’s facility, spread across 54 acres, has a clinker capacity of 0.26 million tonnes per annum and a grinding capacity of 0.42 million tonnes per annum. The site also holds captive limestone reserves across 144.25 hectares, with a mineable reserve of 129 million tonnes.

This deal, which is expected to close after receiving regulatory approvals, allows JK Cement to tap into Saifco’s established infrastructure, sidestepping the time-consuming process of greenfield expansion. The acquisition will also position JK Cement to benefit from Saifco’s established market presence and supply chain.

The move signals JK Cement’s ambition to expand further in the Jammu and Kashmir market and beyond, positioning Saifco as a key regional player under JK Cement’s umbrella. The acquisition could also lead to potential job creation and greater economic opportunities for local suppliers. As part of the integration, JK Cement is expected to bring operational synergies, improving production efficiency and cost management.

This deal is seen as a model for regional consolidation in India’s growing cement industry, with JK Cement’s established brand and distribution network poised to enhance Saifco’s operations and product offerings in the region.

(Greater Kashmir)