Gypsum industry news

US: USG has won two manufacturing awards from Frost & Sullivan's Manufacturing Leadership Council. The building materials manufacturer earned an award in the 'Improving Operational Excellence' category for its Lean Six Sigma (LSS) programme achievements and its Mexican subsidiary, USG Mexico, earned an award in the category of 'Supply Chain Leadership' for the optimisation of its import logistics and distribution programs. The Manufacturing Leadership Awards recognise manufacturing organisations and individual leaders shaping the future of global manufacturing.

"USG is committed to manufacturing excellence and it is an honour to receive these prestigious Manufacturing Leadership Awards," said Dom Dannessa, USG's Executive Vice President and Chief Operations and Innovation Officer. "Investments in Lean Six Sigma and our Supply Chain have allowed us to better anticipate our customers' needs so that we can continue to provide them with superior solutions."

USG says that its LSS programmes have enabled it to optimise production and pricing, cut transportation costs and reduce excess inventory, leading to more than US$250m in operational savings and significantly improving team productivity. USG Mexico meanwhile invested in local distribution centres to increase its product range in the region.

India: The government has extended an anti-dumping duty on imports of gypsum wallboard from China, Indonesia, Thailand and the UAE to protect local producers. Saint-Gobain India asked for an extension of the duty on the imports of the boards from these four countries, according to the Press Trust of India. The tariff was originally implemented in 2013 at US$73.8/m² to run until 7 June 2017. It has now been extended to 6 June 2018.

France: Saint-Gobain has adjusted the representation of Wendel on its board of directors after a sale of the investment company's shares in the construction materials producer. Following the sale of 5.3% of Saint-Gobain's shares Wendell retains one sole director, Frédéric Lemoine, and a 6.4% stake. However, Saint-Gobain has decided to retain Wendel's other representative, Gilles Schnepp, as an independent director due to his experience of the group.

Russia: Knauf Petroboard and the local government of the Leningrad region have signed a Euro54m deal to upgrade a gypsum wallboard liner plant in Kommunar. Two thirds of the funds will be used to upgrade equipment at the site with the remainder targeted at treatment works, according to the Stroygaz newspaper. Start-up for the equipment is scheduled for the end of 2018. The agreement has been announced as part of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum framework.

Mexico: PPG has completed its sales of its Plaka plasterboard and cement-board business to Knauf. No financial value for the deal has been disclosed. PPG originally purchased its Plaka business in 2014 when it acquired Consorcio. The company produces wallboard, plasterboard and cement board primarily for the Mexican market.