Holcim: the only cement producer expecting a drop in profit

Holcim Romania’s General Manager, Markus Wirth, said official financial results will be published in May, but estimates show business 28 percent higher year-on-year, up to €290 million, and lower profit due to the leu/euro exchange rate.

Other major local producers posted increases in profit last year. As such, Heidelberg Cement announced its Romanian operations yielded double profits compared to 2006, while Lafarge Romania representatives are also expecting higher earnings.

Holcim Romania’s cement sales rose some 15 percent in the first three months of 2008, half compared to the January-March 2007 growth (30 percent). Company representatives say the lower growth rate was due to bad weather, which hindered construction work, and not by the 6-8 percent increase in cement prices.