PPC cement prices to rise soon

customers of ppc can expect price increases of, on average, roughly 5% soon, says ceo john gomersall.

these could be followed by a further mid-year hike to recoup some of the extraordinary increases coming through from ppc’s suppliers.

gomersall concurred with a first national bank economic report that price increases last year had been in the vicinity of 10%.

gomersall said his industry had been hit by a number of inflation-plus increases. coal prices have risen in line with crude oil by 46%, diesel prices are up 25% and rail increases had exceeded 10%. ppc will hear soon what price increase eskom proposes. these increases will determine its mid-year adjustment.

he said ppc would notify its customers of proposed increases. gomersall said ppc was not a price leader and cement prices did not always converge. customers were prepared to pay a premium for quality and service.