Companies@UA: База компаний Украины

Kyiv, August 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The leadership of HeidelbergCement Group evaluates its cement and concrete plants in Ukraine as key assets of the group and does not plan to sell them in the future, reads a press release of OJSC HeidelbergCement Ukraine, part of the group.

"We don't have plans to sell our companies in Ukraine. HeidelbergCement plans to sell only those assets that are not related to the company's key assets and are not main links in the cement and concrete production chain. Thanks to our stable position on the Ukrainian cement market and continually growing vertical integration, the Ukrainian companies are related to key directions of our activities," reads the release, citing HeidelbergCement Group board chairman, Bernd Scheifele.

He said that the Ukrainian companies, combined with other regional assets of the group, continue cutting expenses in the crisis period.

"The economic indicators for H1, 2009 confirm that HeidelbergCement is a strong company. Our operating profit shows that we're able to compensate for changes in commodity turnover thanks to timely and continual cuts in expenses. The group's Ukrainian companies make their contribution to this process, of course," he said.

Andreas Kern, a member of HeidelbergCement Group's Managing Board responsible for Central Europe-Central Asia, said that Ukraine is an important market for the group.

"Ukraine is an important and growing market for HeidelbergCement. Starting operation in 2001, we've continually expanded out activities. Last year we were leaders in cement production and started actively develop commodity concrete business production lines," Kern said.

He also said that Ukrainian cement plants export cement to neighboring countries.

Scheifele said that the positive moves in the global economy would be seen in H2, 2009.

"The global recession has slowed, and many countries show signs of recovery. In H2, 2009 we expect positive results, which would be pushed by investment into infrastructure development all over the world. We have a positive effect from a program on expense cutting and energy saving," the group's head said.