Gypsum industry news

US: Eagle Materials’ gypsum wallboard and paperboard sales grew by 5% year-on-year to US$634m in the year to 31 March 2019 from US$603m in the same period in 2017. Its gypsum wallboard sales volumes increased by 4% to 246Mm2 from 237Mm². Operating earnings from this division rose by 13% to US$216m from US$191m. Sales were driven by higher sales volumes and prices. Overall, the company’s sales and earnings grew slightly.

UK: British Gypsum has chosen XPO Logistics to optimise its UK supply chain with a single, digitally-managed transportation network. XPO will create an integrated transportation network for British Gypsum using a customised delivery model deployed on its XPO Connect product platform. Distribution will take place from British Gypsum’s five manufacturing plants and four outbases in the UK. Additionally, XPO will manage all downstream processes, including load securing, yard management and weighbridge operations. XPO will also make an investment in new fleet dedicated to the British Gypsum network, using vehicles outfitted with telematics and safety technology.

“XPO has the scale and vision to help us manage our growth, while serving our customers with greater efficiency and a zero-harm safety ethos. We look forward to a long and collaborative partnership in the UK,” said Brian Fisher, distribution manager, British Gypsum.

US: The Gypsum Association has elected Albert R Zucco as chair of its board of directors for 2019 – 2020. Zucco is the Vice President, Sustainable Supply Chain of USG. Other appointments include CertainTeed’s Gregory McCown as vice-chair, National Gypsum’s Craig Robertson as treasurer and the Gypsum Association's Stephen H Meima as the secretary. Georgia-Pacific’s John Congdon is the part chair of the board. All terms are for one year and are effective from 1 May 2019.

France: Saint-Gobain’s sales rose by 6% year-on-year to Euro10.4bn in the first quarter of 2019 from Euro9.76bn in the same period in 2018. Sales for most of the group’s divisions rose with the exception of Asia-Pacific. Gypsum business growth was reported in Northern Europe, South Europe – Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. Like-for-like sale in Asia Pacific were supported by the start-up of a fifth float line in India. Insulation business growth was also noted in France.

US: Gypsum products distributor GMS has appointed Teri P McClure as an independent member of its board of directors. McClure is currently Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President, Labor at United Parcel Service (UPS). She is also a member of the Management Committee, which is responsible for setting strategy, profit and operating plans for UPS.

McClure joined UPS in 1995 and has served in various legal and operations positions, including Senior Vice President of Legal, Compliance and Public Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from 2006 until assuming her current position in 2015. Prior to joining UPS, McClure practiced law with the Troutman Sanders law firm in Atlanta. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Lennar Corporation, Heart for Africa and The Task Force for Global Health.