HeidelbergCement’s implementation of continuous improvement programmes across its business lines will help offset an expected increase in costs in 2017, the company said in a recent press release.
The Heidelberg-based company is estimating that its energy-related costs will “increase considerably in 2017”, on the back of the price rises seen in the oil and coal markets since the beginning of 2016. A “slight to moderate” increase in raw materials and personnel costs is also expected.
The company launched its continuous improvement programme for its cement business (CIP) in 2015. Similar programmes have since followed in the aggregates (Aggregates CI), logistics (LEO) and ready-mixed concrete (CCR) businesses.
The continuous improvement programmes will seek to “establish a culture of consistent improvement of operational and commercial work processes at employee level,” the company said.
The CIP and Aggregates CI programmes are expected to deliver cost savings of €120 million each over three years, while its LEO programme to optimize logistics is targeting a €150 million reduction in costs over a period of several year.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/20032017/heidelberg-targets-continuous-improvement/