Holcim's Q1 sales hit by cold

Sales of the local division of Swiss group Holcim operating on the cement, concrete and aggregates sector dropped about 40% in the first quarter of this year because of the prolonged winter in Romania, the company’s representatives say. In the first quarter, Holcim Romania registered turnover worth 8 million euros. Still, the company’s officials believe the company’s sales target for this year will be reached. “I think we will be able to hit the target set for this year, the results registered in the first quarter being more relevant,” stated Kurt Habersatter, general manager of Holcim Romania. For this year, the company anticipates sales ranging between 92-95 million euros, compared with 88 million euros reported last year. French group Lafarge in its turn has recently announced a slump in first-quarter sales, which was accounted for by the low temperatures registered in several countries, including Romania. Holcim plans to invest over 40 million euros until the end of this year to improve production technologies, environment protection, as well as to develop services. Most of these funds will be used to finalise the project regarding the rehabilitation of the Alesd plant, where a completely modernised cement production line will be launched, according to the Swiss operator’s officials. Other investments will be used to modernise and bring the concrete stations based in Bucharest and Brasov up to ecological standards, renovate the delivery centre in Campulung and put a modern coal mill to use. ZF