During February 2005, two major cement companies, viz. Associated Cement Companies (ACC) and Ambuja Group, have witnessed mixed trends in cement production and despatches.
ACC has posted a 5.4% growth in cement production to 13.75 lakh tonne, as compared to 13.05 lakh tonne in February 2004. Cement despatches during the same period increased by 2.9% to 13.72 lakh tonne from 13.33 lakh tonne in the previous corresponding period.
Cumulative cement production and despatches for ACC for the April 2004-February 2005 period were 150.30 lakh tonne and 149.87 lakh tonne, respectively, as compared to previous period numbers of 138.88 lakh tonne each.
On the other hand, Ambuja Group posted a fall of 10% in cement production during February 2005 to 11.01 lakh tonne from 12.28 lakh tonne last time. The group’s despatches also fell by 11% to 11 lakh tonne from 12.41 lakh tonne.
Ambuja’s cumulative production and despatch numbers for July 2004-February 2005 period were 93.98 lakh tonne and 93.89 lakh tonne respectively, as compared to 84.89 lakh tonne and 84.9 lakh tonne, in the corresponding previous period.
Aditya Birla Group, which includes Grasim and Ultratech, saw a marginal growth of 0.79% in cement production to 22.25 lakh tonne in February 2005, while the despatches fell by 0.93% to 21.84 lakh tonne.
Grasim’s production was 10.98 lakh tonne, while its despatches stood at 10.89 lakh tonne, according to a company statement. UltraTech’s output was 11.27 lakh tonne and its despatches stood at 10.95 lakh tonne.
