Issues in the World of Cement

At the end of every year, we tend to look back on what we have accomplished in our respective industries. Has it been a year for growth, or have we hit a plateau? What is working for our sector, and what isn't? The global cement industry generated a lot of talk this year – in particular, because its year-end results were so bipolar in the different parts of the world. Europe and the Americas struggle a bit, while the industry is booming in Nigeria. It's an interesting sector to study because despite the fact that cement is a material that everyone needs, the production and distribution process faces many issues. Even big name players in the cement world, like Alex F Bouri, face these worries, despite how rapidly their businesses have grown. 

Energy Consumption

Everywhere you look, someone is discussing 'going green,' 'global warming,' and how to reduce 'carbon footprints.' These buzzwords have been around for the past decade or so and aren't going anywhere. Needless to say, with a bulk product like cement, it's hard to cut back on the consumption of energy due to the need to collect raw materials. This always has, and probably always will, cause issues for cement giants to some extent.

Durability Concerns

We want to industrialize – and fast. The need for immediate gratification means that the formula of cement is always being adjusted so that it will dry more quickly. Of course, cement that dries quickly will have other issues – such higher levels of tricalcium silicate, which makes it crack more easily. As of yet, the perfect formula for cement has not been discovered.

Emissions

In the same vein of energy consumption is the concern about emissions. One of the main byproducts of making concrete is carbon dioxide, and cement companies are the biggest culprits of CO2 pollution. Regulations have been put in place in many countries in an attempt to reduce these emissions, but hopefully technology advances as such that they will not be such a huge concern some years down the line.

The Cement Industry: Why it's Crucial, Crisis or Not

In the past some fifteen years, the amount of cement produced in the entire world has doubled – and then some, to 3.4 billion tons. That's a lot of cement, which is usually reflective of the world's status of industrialization on the whole. But over the past few years, there's been an awful lot of cement talk that's got people a bit worried.

During the financial crisis around 2008-2009, there was a pretty big lag in the cement industry that lasted for about two years. Finally, it jumped back up by almost 10% in 2010. Progress slowed, but continued, throughout the next year.

We keep a close eye on the cement industry, and why? What do industry leaders like Holcim and Alex F. Bouri's Seament Holding have to do with us? What we might not recognize is that cement is quite an interesting – and telling – industry because it's a very local one. As a matter of fact, about 95% of the cement that is produced is used in the same country of its production.

And right now, the sector is downsizing quite a bit in terms of company shares. Some two decades ago, the six industry giants made up about 10% of the cement production around the globe. That number has grown – to 25%. 

The industry depends on emerging markets, which purchase and use the vast majority of the cement that is produced – 90% in comparison with the 65% it was two decades ago. 

When cement production slows, so do local economic support systems. When there's not enough supply to meet the demand, industrialization slows. And when people aren't buying cement, we know there's something wrong. There have been recent problem areas in the industry – not much activity in the western hemisphere, for one – but it's important for those in the industry to find a way to reduce their debts and continue their supply, which may call for new ideas.

Three Tips for Increasing the Size of your Business

Building a business that reaches a national or global audience and starting from the ground up isn't a dream that's unattainable. Yes, it requires lots of hard work, but so many entrepreneurs have done it in the past. Just look at Alex F Bouri, who started his cement company just by trading in Nigeria on a small business loan and soon went global, or any of the many corporate businesses that are still family-owned, like Mars candy. It's not impossible, but with the Internet, technology, and new advertising, you certainly have to get creative. Here are a few tips for bringing in more customers and therefore the revenue you need to expand your reach.

Create an Online Presence

This is absolutely imperative for any business in today's world. If you're not online, you're simply unable to compete with your competitors who are. You're missing out on a huge audience, and this is one of the easiest ways to go global. Not to mention, it opens up a whole new world of marketing. At the very least you should ensure that you have an informative and clean website. To take it a step further, make social media accounts for your company and engage with customers. It's never a bad idea to make it possible for customers to purchase products or services online within reason.

Set Yourself Apart

The only way that you can overcome your competitors is to offer something they don't have. Look at their campaigns and see what aspect of their business they are focusing on. For example, if you're a cleaning service and your competitors are advertising how inexpensive they are, offer competition by advertising that you're thorough and use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. This will help you clinch a new audience and perhaps even win over some customers who are loyal to your competitor.

Do it Gradually

As your profits begin to increase, buy new things little by little. Don't take out a huge loan, purchase a huge new storefront, add to your inventory, buy vehicles, and the like all at once. By doing it as you can afford it, you'll be financially in a better place and the growth of your business will continue to happen naturally.

Business Tips: Starting a Family Business

The world of business can be very rewarding, being able to create and sell a product or service people need can give your life purpose.  Some people choose to go into business by themselves or with a friend, but family owned businesses are growing in popularity.  Family owned businesses were almost the only businesses in existence in the past, and even though their presence has declined over the years existing family business are still successful.  Seament, one of the largest international cement traders in the world, was founded by Alexander Bouri and is now run by his sons.  Big name companies like Walmart, Samsung, and Ford are family owned businesses.  If you want to include your family in your business ambitions, here's some advice on how to make your new business venture a success.

Identify the Need in Your Market

Some people go into business after spending years developing a service or product, and others have a passion for entrepreneurship but don't know what they want to sell.  If you want to provide a product or service you know people want, focus on potential customers in your area.  Think back to conversations you've had about your town with friends and neighbors.  Do you remember somebody saying that they wished there was a reliable dry cleaning service in town?  Did your next door neighbor mention that he misses the old pizza place that used to be around the corner?  Once you figure out the need, you'll be able to start your business.

Identify Your Family's Strengths

After doing some brainstorming you've decided on what product or service your business is going to provide customers.  Now that you know what you'll be selling, it's time to think about how your family members can help your business by identifying each member's strengths.  Does your son know how to use a cash register?  Is your spouse well-known enough in the community to attract people to your business?  Does your daughter know how to design websites and use SEO?  If you spend time truly evaluating your family's strengths and weaknesses you'll be able to find something useful every member can contribute. 

Identify Their Feelings

Even though it's your dream to have a family owned business other family members may not have similar feelings.  Nobody likes having to do something they have no interest in, especially if they feel like they're being pressured into doing it.  Don't spend time trying to recruit your family members, mention your idea to them and see if they have an interest in helping with your business.

European Group Hopes to Reform the African Cement/Concrete Industry

In the cement industry there's always new advancements that manage to amaze people.  Movers and shakers in the cement business like Alexander Bouri of Seament and Bernd Scheifele of HeidelbergCement are always looking for new ways to improve their products.  Cement is essential in today's world, our largest cities and smallest towns all depend on well-made cement to keep their buildings together.  As the world population continues to grow the demand for cement will rise substantially, and some groups are already thinking of ways to ensure that people have access to the building materials they need.

The Spearhead Network for Innovative, Clean and Safe Cement and Concrete Technologies (SPIN) is n project funded by the European Commission to address the need of establishing a solid cement and concrete industry in Africa.  The cement/concrete market in the eastern, central, and southern regions of Africa in its current state is inefficient.  Producers, suppliers, contractors, builders, unions, government workers, and even educational institutions all try to control the industry in their own ways.  The splintered market has caused a significant decrease in the quality of cement and concrete which has made buildings prone to damage.  Cement prices are much higher in Africa than they are in Europe and North America, but with Africa's wealth of cement making materials and cheap manpower it shouldn't be.

The SPIN organization is trying to stabilize the African cement/concrete industry by sharing efficient and environmentally friendly European cement/concrete manufacturing techniques.  They also hope to get leading industries, research institutions, and government workers from both continents working together so they can benefit from each other's work.   The group will be holding their first international conference in 2012 to discuss the future of cement/concrete and the role it plays in our society.