PPC
PPC
PPC - Trading Update
PRETORIA PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
(Registration number 1892/000667/06)
("PPC" or "the company")
JSE code : PPC
ISIN code : ZAE000005559
TRADING UPDATE - CHAIRMAN"S STATEMENT AT THE AGM
The Chairman announced at the AGM held at 12:00 at PPC today that trading
conditions in the first quarter of this financial year have continued to be
favourable with regional cement sales volumes ahead of our expectations.
Production facilities ran at high utilisation levels and this resulted in a
further improvement in the cement operating margin.
The Jupiter plant situated in Germiston, Gauteng, is on schedule to commence
cement production in this quarter which will augment current industry capacity.
Contracts for the supply and erection of equipment for the "Batsweledi"
expansion project at the Dwaalboom factory have been signed and are within the
budgeted cost at this stage. Site establishment has commenced and the project
is on track for completion in the second quarter of 2008 as planned.
In spite of Porthold in Zimbabwe experiencing very difficult conditions cash
generation and profitability are ahead of expectations following stronger than
anticipated sales volumes.
Lime profitability and volumes remained satisfactory and in line with
expectations whilst Afripack benefited from plant efficiencies and strong cement
sack sales.
All resolutions, including the special resolution to repurchase shares, were
passed with the requisite majority.
Sandton
23 January 2006
Sponsor
JPMorgan Equities Limited
Date: 23/01/2006 02:32:02 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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