Cement Americas provides comprehensive coverage of the North and South American cement markets from raw material extraction to delivery and tranportation to end user.
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CEMENT AMERICAS • Winter 2015 • www.cementamericas.com 6 CEMENTSCOPE responsible manner," said Dan Harring- ton, president and CEO. "The superior energy management efforts at the Leeds, Union Bridge, Glens Falls and Redding ce- ment manufacturing facilities are a clear reflection of this commitment. We are ex- tremely proud of these four plants and pleased that our ongoing efforts are rec- ognized by the EPA." Earning the Energy Star certification is just one example of Lehigh Hanson's industry leadership in reducing the im- pact of its operations on the environ- ment. The company has operational efficiency programs in place across all its business lines and strict energy management is a priority at its manu- facturing sites across North America. It is an Energy Star corporate partner and also has the unique distinction of being the only aggregates producer to have four of its crushed stone plants achieve the EPA's Energy Star Chal- lenge for Industry. "Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's industrial facilities is critical to protecting our environment," said Jean Lupinacci, director of the Energy Star Commercial & Industrial Branch. "From the plant floor to the board room, or- ganizations are leading the way by making their facilities more energy ef- ficient and earning EPA's Energy Star certification." Holcim Receives Overdue Payment from Venezuela Venezuela paid Holcim Ltd. the final in- stallment of a total $650 million agreed compensation for seizing the Swiss company's cement plants in 2008, re- ported Bloomberg . The $97.5 million was due almost three months ago. Former Venezuela President Hugo Chavez nationalized Venezuela's cement industry in 2008 citing failures to sufficiently sup- ply the local market. He also seized as- sets from Cemex SAB and Lafarge SA. Investors have become increasingly concerned that Venezuela is running out of cash to pay its debt as its for- eign reserves fall and its economy heads for its biggest contraction since 2009, according to data from the In- ternational Monetary Fund. Venezuela, which imports three-quarters of the goods it consumes, has seen export revenue slump as oil prices tumble. The country ranks among the biggest losers from the recent decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to let the force of the mar- ket determine the price of oil, noted Bloomberg. Ash Grove Appoints New Chanute Plant Manager Ash Grove Cement Co. announced Alan C. Finch as the new Chanute, Kan., plant manager, effective immediately. "We are pleased that Alan will assume the leadership role of our Chanute plant. This plant opened in 1908 and is the longest running plant in our fleet of eight plants in the United States," said Mike Hrizuk, senior vice president of manufacturing. "We are eager to in- troduce Alan to the employees and community." Finch has a 17-year career in the ce- ment industry and comes to Chanute from the Durkee, Ore., plant where he has been production manager for the past nine years and where he previously held the production superintendent po- sition for three years. Finch joined the Ash Grove organization as plant engi- neer at the Leamington, Utah, plant where he served five years. FLSmidth to Supply Cement Production Line in Colombia FLSmidth received a contract from Cemex for the supply of a 2,800-tpd cement production line to be installed at the company's new Cementera del Magdalena Medio S.A.S. cement plant. The plant is located in the department of Antioquia, approximately 135 km from Medellín. The production line will use the latest technology and achieve high environ- mental and quality standards, noted the manufacturer. The department of Antioquia is a region in Colombia that is expected to see an increase in ce- ment demand resulting from continued economic growth as well as planned in- vestments in infrastructure.