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| HeidelbergCement – Interim Report January to March 2006 In the first quarter, HeidelbergCement experienced a satisfying development in sales volumes. Total cement and clinker sales volumes rose by 16.8% to 14.8 million tonnes (previous year: 12.7). In the first quarter, turnover rose by 28.7% compared with the previous year to EUR 1,744 million (previous year: 1,355). The strongest increases were achieved in North America, Asia, Europe – particularly the United Kingdom, Norway and the countries of Eastern Europe – and Turkey. Excluding exchange rate and consolidation effects, Group turnover increased by 19.1%. Operating income before depreciation more than doubled, reaching EUR 190.1 million (previous year: 85.2). Operating income improved from EUR -34.7 million in the previous year to EUR 63.8 million. The highest increases were achieved by North America, followed by Europe and Asia. The first savings gained through the "win" project, the new transparent and lean Group organisation as well as the noticeably increase in efficiency contributed to an improvement in results. With the conclusion of a 50:50 joint venture in March 2006, HeidelbergCement extended its activities to the Indian subcontinent for the first time. The joint venture includes the cement grinding plant Indorama Cement Ltd., with a capacity of 750,000 tonnes of cement, which supplies the cities of Mumbai and Pune on the west coast of India. The company also operates a loading terminal near Mumbai. The authorisation procedure for the construction of a clinker plant in the Indian state of Gujarat is currently in progress. In the first quarter, cash flow investments rose by EUR 22 million in comparison with the same period last year to EUR 162 million (previous year: 140). write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |