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Eurogypsum announces board for 2012 - 2014
Written by Global Gypsum staff
22 May 2012
Europe: In addition to the new President of Eurogypsum, Maurizio Casalini, Eurogypsum has now announced the other newly elected members of its board as: Bernard Lekien (President Siniat European operations and Latin America) as vice president; Claude Alain Tardy (CEO of Saint Gobain Gypsum) as treasurer; Enrique Ramirez (Managing Director of Yesos Ibéricos); Jack Pinkosz (Managing Director of Norgips Poland), Manfred Grundke (CEO of Knauf),Jean-Marie Vaissaire (Regional Director of Saint Gobain Gypsum), Michael Chaldecott (Managing Director of British Gypsum) and Yves Dupont (Managing Director Benelux Siniat NL).
Eagle Materials gypsum division back in the black
Written by Global Gypsum staff
18 May 2012
US: Eagle Materials Inc. has reported its financial results for the 2012 fiscal year and the fiscal fourth quarter that ended on 31 March 2012. Its results showed that the group's revenue was up by 7% for the fiscal year, to US$495m, and cash flow from operations was US$60.2m, up by 37%. In the quarter ending 31 March 2012, the company netted revenues of US$116.8m, a 22% year-on-year increase.
Eagle said that its low cost operations continued to execute well during the 2012 fiscal year and that it was beginning to see improving construction activity across most of its markets. Eagle's earnings began to improve during the second half of fiscal 2012 and accelerated during the fourth quarter.
The group's Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard division saw an operational income of US$23.3m, an massive increase of 74% compared to the 2011 fiscal year. Revenues from Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard were US$295.9m for the 2012 fiscal year, 9% higher than that seen in 2011.
The Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard division reported fourth quarter operating earnings of US$15.1m compared to an operating loss of US$0.4m in the same quarter of the 2011 fiscal year. The increase in operating earnings was primarily due to higher net wallboard sales prices and increased paperboard sales volumes offset by lower wallboard sales volumes.
Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard revenues for the fourth quarter totalled US$79.9m, a 23% increase from the same quarter in 2011. The average gypsum wallboard net sales price for this quarter was US$118.86/MSF, 39% greater than the same quarter in 2011. Gypsum wallboard sales volumes of 397MMSF were down by approximately 7% from the fourth quarter of the 2011 fiscal year.
Knauf’s Maurizio Casalini appointed new President at 29th Eurogypsum Congress
Written by Global Gypsum staff
15 May 2012
Europe: Maurizio Casalini, managing director of Knauf Italy, has been appointed as the new president of Eurogypsum. His election was announced at the 29th Eurogypsum Congress, held by Eurogypsum (the European Gypsum Association), which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in historic Kraków, Poland on 10 – 11 May 2012.
The event, held under the title, 'Gypsum is at the core of a sustainable and resource-efficient built environment,' was attended by around 85 delegates from Europe, with some delegates also from the US. Co-hosted by Eurogypsum and Polski Gips (the Polish Gypsum Association), it was the first time that the conference had taken place in central Europe.
The Congress heard a variety of presentations from the European Commissioner Maria Spiliopoulou Kaparia, experts in gypsum extraction, architects, academics in the gypsum and insulation fields, companies concerned with recycling gypsum and other businesses.
Boral sees opportunity to seize Asian markets
Written by Global Gypsum staff
14 May 2012
Australia: Boral has announced that it expects gross earnings from its Gypsum Asia unit to increase as it reported an upbeat longer term outlook for the business in the rapidly growing Asia market.
It is estimated that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in 2012 will jump by 19% year-on-year to US$108m, according to Frederic de Rougemont, chief executive of Boral Gypsum Asia.
De Rougemont said that there is strong economic growth forecast across most major markets in Asia, where increases in public investment are driving growth in non-residential construction. Speaking to analysts in South Korea, he added that increasing urbanisation is driving growth in residential construction.
"Asia is expected to become the world's largest plasterboard market in 2014, while China will become the biggest plasterboard market globally by 2015," he said. "Among the global players, BGA has the leading market position throughout Asia" with a 15% estimated market share including China.
LKL Associates joins The Drake Group
Written by Global Gypsum staff
09 May 2012
US: The Drake Group LLC has announced that LKL Associates (LKL), based in West Jordan, Utah has joined The Drake Group LLC as a Member/Owner.
LKL is a privately owned company founded in Utah in 1978. It is a leading, independent building products dealer focused on the residential and commercial construction markets. LKL's product offering includes gypsum wallboard, steel studs, insulation, stucco and all associated finishing materials, tools and accessories that are utilised by wall and ceiling contractors.
In addition to its West Jordan headquarters LKL operates branch locations in Orem and Layton, both in Utah.