HeidelbergCement releases first-quarter 2019 report

HeidelbergCement reported growth in both revenue and sales volumes in its first-quarter earnings.

First-quarter revenue grew significantly to 4.2 billion euros, compared to 3.6 billion during the same time period last year, equating to a 17 percent increase. HeidelbergCement also increased sales volumes in all business lines during the first quarter, due to continued positive momentum across markets and improved weather in both Europe and North America, the company says.

HeidelbergCement also increased sales of aggregate volumes to 62.9 million metric tons, a 5.7 percent increase from the first quarter of last year.

In North America specifically, the company recorded growth in sales volumes in the North region, compared to the same period last year. Sales volumes in the South were driven by strong demand and commercial construction in Florida, while the price pressure on the northern Atlantic coast was compensated by efficient cost management, according to the company.

Shipments to the West and Canada regions, however, suffered from an extended winter and dampened weather.

In addition, the result from current operations before depreciation and amortization improved to 396 million euros, compared to 250 million euros the previous year, due to successful price increases and growth in sales volumes, according to the company.

“HeidelbergCement has made an excellent start to 2019,” says Bernd Scheifele, chairman of the managing board at HeidelbergCement. “We have achieved a considerable increase in revenue and result from current operations in comparison with the same quarter of the previous year. In addition to improved weather conditions, sustained strong demand and successful price increases contributed towards this positive development.”