CEMEX UK announces record performance in all its cement plants in 2007

6 February 2008:
Building materials company CEMEX UK today announced record cement clinker productivity at all three of its cement plants which together achieved world-class efficiency levels of 90.5 per cent in the period January 2007 to January 2008. This has resulted in an increase in production of 13 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The current world class production performance has been achieved on the back of a combination of three major factors, including major investments, training and development and strong leadership.

Among the investments were two new kiln burners which are more efficient and have helped reduce emissions, and new filters, which at one plant have reduced dust by more than 80 per cent, even though the plant was already fully compliant.

Local and international training and development initiatives, including exchange programmes to other plants within the CEMEX network, such as Germany and the United States, have also resulted in a drive to improve standards, best practice learning, good ideas generation and efficiency improvements.

All employees have contributed to the improvements and visible leadership has also been a contributing aspect. Frequent and open dialogue between employees and management has helped to raise expectations, boost morale, develop internal pride and install a belief that excellence is realistic.

The challenge will be to further improve on this performance in 2008, and extend the high standards to the new blended cement facility at Tilbury in Essex, which is due to come on stream later this year, and will increase CEMEX's UK cement capacity by 20 per cent.

For more information, see www.CEMEX.co.uk or http://www.cemex.com/