Holcim Indonesia’s 1H14 suffers from rising operating costs

Holcim Indonesia reported a 10% y/y growth in sales in 1H14, at Rp.4.93 trillion (US$425.83 million), but net profit fell 3.79% y/y to Rp.449.41 trillion. According to a report on The Jakarta Post, the decline can be attributed to rising costs, including higher electricity rates, a boost to the minimum wage and foreign exchange losses.

The Indonesian government has raised electricity rates according to businesses’ power needs, leaving Holcim with a 64.7% increase, which will come in gradually over the rest of the year. The company reported a 15.87% increase in operation costs to Rp.728.23 billion in 1H14.

Semen Indonesia, which reported its 1H14 results earlier this week, also blamed rising expenses and foreign exchange losses for the higher costs incurred over the period.

Having invested US$800 million to construct Tuban 1 and Tuban 2, Holcim Indonesia is said to be confident of increasing revenues over the full year thanks to a boost in production capacity. Meanwhile, with the election period over, it is hoped that construction activity will begin to pick up in the country.

Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/31072014/holcim-indonesia-1h14-suffers-from-rising-operating-costs-210/