PPC PLANT COMMISSIONING

PPC Zim opens US$82m Harare

President Robert Mugabe addressing guests at the commission- factory ing of the PPC plant in Harare. PPC group chairman Peter Nelson PPC has a heritage of over 100 years in Zimbabwe, and a track record of providing consistent quality cement and solutions that ca- ter to the needs of every construction project and individual home building, from start to fin- ish. PPC Zimbabwe aims to develop African infra- structure and people, and champions this para- digm through a culture of continuous innovation through its product and service offering. It’s not just about providing cement but more about so- lutions. Through a belief in “Strength Beyond the Bag” the customer’s experience in using PPC Zim- babwe products and services always comes first. In March 2017, PPC officially marked a new chapter in Zimbabwe, adding to its operations in and at Colleen Bawn with the com- missioning of the PPC Harare factory by His Ex- cellency, President Robert Mugabe. PPC believes that growth opportunities abound on African soil, and upholds a commitment to continue to invest in Zimbabwe, her people and her economy. The new PPC Harare Factory is an US$82 mil- lion, world-class facility that is designed to incorpo- rate the latest technology in the cement industry and in adherence to global emissions standards. The PPC Harare factory and the Bulawayo fac- tory are the only local cement factories incorpo- rating a cement palletiser and a shrink wrapping machine, with bulk handling and transportation services available for customers. Sinoma Inter- national Engineering drove the construction of the facility, with local contractors such as JR God- dard Construction, Ascon-Tencraft and HVC. The new PPC Harare Factory will continue to provide downstream opportunities for local businesses. The construction of the plant echoes PPC’s belief in continuously making a positive impact to Zim- babwe’s economy by stimulating employment, and by enriching the Zimbabwean workforce through local manufacturing operations. In tandem with the official commissioning of the Harare plant, PPC Zimbabwe launched Sure- cast 42.5R, a rapid-setting cement product that caters to the needs of concrete and brick mak- ers, as well as the first and only 42.5R product manufactured locally in Zimbabwe. The launch of Surecast 42.5R is consistent with PPC Zimba- bwe’s unshakeable efforts to continuously inno- vate, creating value by saving its customers’ time and resources. Surecast 42.5R cement translates to a greater amount of work on-site achieved in less time, shortening the amount of time projects take and ultimately saving money- a welcome in- novation from all angles pertaining to construc- tion projects. Pre-casters are impressed by the in- crease in early strength, the increased flexibility in mix designs, and the way the product allows them to strip moulds earlier. Brick manufacturers notice an increase in yield of bricks, which ultimately results in a lowered cost per brick. There is also an increase in early strength, and improved handling for bricks. The product also allows freedom to design both high perfor- mance concrete and standard cement. Medium and large contractors see the benefit of working with Surecast 42.5R through faster completion of products, better strength development, as well as fast stripping of formwork. PPC remains the cement brand of choice, due to the unparalleled quality of its products, as well as its customer-centric approach. Its products and services add value to every aspect of the cus- tomer experience. PPC Zimbabwe prides itself on attention to detail in all aspects of product quality and service, and continuously evolves to remain aligned with international best practices. April 13-20 2017 Z1 Z2 ppc harare plant commissioning supplement April 13-20 2017 PPC’s Harare plant reawakens fight for market share

Nyasha Chingono as. towards the market. Analysts say companies are prepar- In an apparent admission of com- THE commissioning of Pretoria Port- ing for Dangote’s US$300 million ce- petition, Masiyane said dominating the land Cement PPC’s Harare plant could ment plant and while the project is in northern part of Zimbabwe would re- reignite stiff competition among the top limbo, local companies would be gain- quire hard work and cost efficiencies three cement producers in the country. ing ground in order to cushion them- which the company is enjoying through PPC is the biggest player followed by selves from an uncertain future. the new plant. Lafarge and another smaller player Mid- With a number of construction “It’s quite challenging and we are not lands based, Sino Zimbabwe Cement. projects on the cards like the Gwayi- as competitive,” said Masiyane. The trio, has over the years, engaged Shangani Dam, -Chirundu Masiyane said costs of production in market-driven initiatives. highway among others, local cement were prohibitively higher than its coun- President Robert Mugabe last month manufacturers’ will be jostling to supply terparts in the southern African region, commissioned the US$82 million state the contractors. chief among them, power tariffs. of the art cement milling plant aimed at The recent Cyclone Dineo also pre- “We need to understand why Zimba- servicing the northern region, Mozam- sented an opportunity for the cement bwe’s electricity is more expensive than bique among other markets. producers to make business through the rest of the region,” he added. PPC’s daring stance of replicating the reconstruction of dams, bridges and Electricity tariffs hover around its Bulawayo and Coleen Bawn model general infrastructure damaged during US$0,14 Kw/h compared to US$0,06 in in Harare which is dominated by oth- the rains. Zambia. PPC CEO Darryll Castle er players could be spelling interesting Lafarge has 450 000 tonnes capacity, Electricity costs make up 25 percent times for the cement industry that has while Sino Zim Cement produces 250 of total costs of production. relatively been quiet since 2015. 000 tonnes per annum. We have a similar plant in Bulawayo, Located in the Sunway City Industrial PPC’s combined capacity alone of 1,8 but the numbers are quite less so as a Park, a special economic zone, the new million tonnes per annum when operat- company we are on a cost competitive plant is earmarked at generating the ing at full capacity would fully satisfy the drive and I believe this would help us to much needed foreign currency through local market , hence an opportunity for be competitive on the export market. exports, with analysts saying PPC was the export market. The local cement industry has invest- gearing up for bigger competition. “This plant allows us to reach out to ed over US$185 million in the past five Since Nigerian business magnet Aliko Mozambique from here than delivering years and is capacitated to meet 1,17 Dangote visited in 2015, the cement from Bulawayo,” said PPC, Zimbabwe, million tonnes demand in the years up manufacturing industry has been on its managing director, Kelibone Masiyane. to 2030, according to industry players. toes introducing a wide range of cement Masiyane said the company decided With the support of the PPC Group products, while players like Sino Zimba- to invade the northern region follow- that has set its eyes on DRC, PPC Zim- bwe have invested widely into expan- ing its conquest of the southern region babwe is buoyed by growth in the con- sion of capacity. where PPC Bulawayo has thrived over struction business that presents oppor- Companies have been jostling to of- 100 years. tunities for lucrative business. fer competitive prices on the market “At the moment part of our launching PPC, Group chairman, Peter Nelson, with a bag of cement going as low as strategy is to grow up here in the North said that the company was already repli- US$9 for normal superset cement, while because we have been more dominant cating Zimbabwe’s success story in oth- companies like Lafarge have opened up in the South,” added Masiyane who ad- er countries. PPC Zimbabwe MD Kelibone Masiyane delivery centres near construction are- mitted that Harare required aggression To Z4 Z3 April 13-20 2017 PPC HARare plant commissioning SUPPLEMENT Commissioning of PPC plant in Harare

M E C Z4 ppc harare plant commissioning supplement April 13-20 2017 PPC’s Harare plant reawakens fight for market share From Z2 bulk handling and palletising technol- “It is this exclusive approach to do- ogy which can pack 40 cement bags ing business through partnerships and per minute. localisation that has made PPC Zimba- It started supplying the market with bwe the success it is today. And it is an quality cement last year. approach that we have replicated as This is in line with their vision to cre- we have taken PPC to other countries ate positive outcomes for the environ- Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of ment, showing deep concern for the Congo and Ethiopia,” said Nelson. long term effects of their operations. According to PPC, the new plant is PPC continues to uphold its phi- designed and constructed in adher- losophy of “Strength beyond the Bag” ence to global emission standards. embodying a commitment that goes The Harare factory incorporates beyond producing a bad of cement.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha

PPC Zimbabwe board chairman Todd Moyo

Eco Logical Safaris & Travel would like to ex- tend our congratulaions to PPC Zimbabwe on the opening of their Harare Manufacturing Plant. We wish them every success with their new venture.

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