The Americas

Positive results from its North American and European business saw CRH post earnings of €3.3 billion in 2017.

Argos reported cement volume growth in 2017 on positive market developments in the US, Central America and the Caribbean. The company’s home market of Colombia remains challenging however.

Tax reform will aid US construction firms competing in the world market.

Cemengal has received an order for two Plug&Grind XL units from Cementos Argos in Honduras.

HeidelbergCement reported sales volumes up across its core products in 4Q17 in North America, while revenue jumped 44.5% over the quarter and 14.3% over the year.

Soft market conditions in Colombia saw CEMEX Latam Holdings post a 15% fall in earnings in 4Q17 and 27% fall over the full year.

Argos will construct a new grinding plant in the north of Honduras, increasing its cement production in the Central American country by around 30%.

CEMEX has reported generally positive 4Q17 results from its US business, despite the impact of bad weather.

LafargeHolcim is to supply customised cement for port construction projects in Ecuador and Morocco.

Higher pricing helped underpin an increased in earnings at CEMEX’s Mexican business in 2017, offsetting a fall in volumes.

Tax reform and federal infrastructure programmes are set to increase the demand for concrete.

CEMEX slips to a fourth quarter loss in 2017, but still hits highest net income in a decade over the full year.

Two LafargeHolcim plants have received the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Rating.

LafargeHolcim quarries have been recognised with NSSGA’s 2018 Excellence in Community Relations Award.

Summit Materials has appointed Karl H. Watson Jr. as new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.