Guardian

DESPITE the glut witnessed by some cement manufacturing companies, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc has disclosed that it has no intention of shutting down its plants, adding that it would remain in operation, while focusing on renewed efforts to enhance consumer satisfaction.

According to the firm, “Lafarge cement remains focused on its vision of delivering value to its customers and stakeholders through innovative products and services that have become the hallmark of its business.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Hudson, in a statement made available to The Guardian on Monday, to clarify recent reports, said “although we temporarily reduced our production recently to manage inventory levels, we have no intention of closing our plants and expect to be fully operational soon. Indeed, it is true that the last quarter of 2012 saw an unusually dull market evidenced by an industry-wide situation where current stock levels of cement and clinker are high”.

He added: “Our organisation’s commitments to sustainable business tenets such as customer orientation, innovation, people development, social investments, strong financial discipline, corporate governance and health and safety have kept us in business for the past 52 years and will take us the long haul”.

Hudson noted that the development of local capacities that the country has witnessed – including the birth of its ultra-modern Ewekoro II plant - has led to bridging the gap in the supply-demand curve of cement in the country.

He maintained that local capacity has improved rapidly, saying: “Today, cement manufacturers are even calling for the use of concrete for building more durable roads, which will serve Nigerians better. We could not have done this a few years back.”

As part of its development plans, Hudson reiterated that Lafarge is committed to working with both government and other stakeholders to develop not only the upstream but also the downstream sector of the Nigerian cement market by developing applications needed for use by the built sector, adding that the company’s launch of its ReadyMix division is a demonstration of this commitment.

“All parties need to work together to support Nigeria’s development at this critical time. Lafarge ReadyMix, is the only company producing concrete in commercial quantity in Nigeria. The products and services of ReadyMix have become a preferred option and we are expanding our plants across the nation”.

Commenting on the company’s development initiatives, Hudson noted that “as a premium cement company in Nigeria and part of the Lafarge Group - the world’s leading cement company, Lafarge WAPCO will continue to lead the required differentiation in the cement industry being the only cement manufacturing firm that has developed unique products to meet the different applications and needs of customers.

“We are set to continue these giant strides in 2013. In addition to the introduction of Elephant Supaset and ReadyMix, we have also launched our Lafarge Powermax, another innovative 42.5AL high quality performance cement for large construction projects such as bridges and high rise structures”, he added.

Hudson added that to further support Supaset customers who are mainly blockmakers, the company recently facilitated funding and training opportunities for blockmakers through its partnership with the Self Reliance Economic Advancement Programme (SEAP).

“These are some of the ways that we sustain not only our business but also continue to support the socio-economic fabric of the nation’s industrial landscape”, he concluded.