Cemex (Mexican Cement producer, who bought up RMC/ Rugby Portland cement etc) announced in BUILDING magazine this morning that due to ever escalating green costs affecting energy bills especially in UK, they are likely to close down UK production in near future, starting with 1 of its 3 plants near HULL which has bad employment issues already.


So on the one hand Cameron is trying to stimulate the construction sector due to impact on employment etc., but still following Lib Dems mad policies that will bankrupt UK manufacturing.

This UK initiative to stimulate construction will lead to other manufacturers (in France/Germany/Italy/Poland) enjoying the boom ie those that don't lumber industry with the ever increasing burden of green legislation.

Our taxes are assisting emploment overseas, which I guess follows on from Cameron's reaffirmation that we should spend ever increasing amount on dubious foreign aid projects from this ring fenced budget.

Imports of cement of course have detrimental effect on our already dire balance of payments and more thrown on dole.

UK cement production apparently has nearly halved in last 5 years.

Will Coaltion see the light?

(Newbury connection? Well they have Newbury plant I recall).

I suspect the real reason the cement production industry has has nose-dived recently is because we're not building anything.

Actually, Germany leads the way in 'green' legislation, Click so you're wrong there.

Personally, I don't think people's health should be put at risk just so a foreign company (especially with such a bad environmental track record as this one) can make a profit, seemingly at any cost.

We are not building anything? Olympic Park, Crossrail?

I think the point here is that if production is driven overseas because of green taxes on businesses, the CO2 is still emitted - just somewhere else, but still on the same planet.

Squelchy's right. If you consider the amount of stuff this country used to build, then one-off projects like the Olympic village or Crossrail are but a tiny proportion of that.

If you are saying that concrete production has been negatively affected by the economic downturn, then I agree with you.

But for it to be said that "we are not building anything" when the largest construction project in Europe is currently taking place in London, and Europe's highest building has just been completed - in London, then I think that is talking things down a bit too much?

Hitting UK industry in general with a green levy at the moment is not going to help a recovery. At worst, it exports jobs to elsewhere and then pollution is added to by heavy-oil burning ships bringing the goods back to our market.

Think you are right! We have already sold much of British industry and as a consequence lost the Headquarters jobs (the intellectual bit) now we are loosing the blue collar bits as well. Oh well, we voted them in!

I would not say HQ jobs are the preserve of the intelligent. A skilled "blue collar" worker is often clever too. In the Army, NCO weapon technicians can run intellectual rings around some cavalry officers!

Agree on a personal basis, that's quite right. However, having the HO out of UK means losing control. Cadbury a good example; guess who now directs the business - the UK managers can be as intelligent and as innovative as they like, but Kraft hold the whip hand. BAE going the same way.

But it means losing control to those who have proved better at control. If the UK management was so good it would be taking over not being taken over.

Whoever is in charge should welcome intelligence and innovation in their local management.

I think you'll find it's Hafencity in Germany

Blimey, that is big, then..... Do the Belgians mind?

Would that matter? Never did before.

It's in or near Hamburg isn't it? What's it got to do with the Belgians? I'm sure if the Germans want some more land they'll just take it anyway. (after all, you can only judge a horse by the races it's run*)








* The Pub Landlord.

Many years ago I was talking to an earnest gentleman at Welford about disposal of the old munitions. Apparently they were hauled by road for destruction in Germany. I asked him why they were not flown over, intending to imply the disruption to traffic over such a long journey would be reduced.
"Oh, you couldn't take those bombs in a plane - far too dangerous" said he

"We managed fine 50 years ago" said I, impulsive as ever.......

Just a couple of examples - Thames Water, by international pundits was said to be one of the best managed utilities world wide. It was taken over by RWE a pedestrian, state protected German utility. Cadbury was seen as a well managed company and Kraft poorly organised with little to commend it in product terms. Suggesting that the comment about intelligence and innovation is rather crass.

No, not bad management, simply bad economics deployed by simple politicians. We are the most liberal market in the world - why on earth do you think firms will play ducks and drakes with production in UK? Simply because its so easy to hire and fire! Try doing that in France or indeed Germany.

So you don't want the UK to succeed and see our decent to a third world economy acceptable and simply punishment for management malaise? Sad, hope you have a well funded sustainable pension, hope your children are grown up and have safe secure employment.

Another one wondering about the Belgian reference. I wondered if they were building something big and were miffed to be outdone by the Germans

I don't see the UK descending to a third world economy - nor do I see the ownership of a company by foreign investors as an indication of failure.

No, its not an indication of the firm's failure - quite the reverse. Certainly indication of our investment failure our economic planning failure. Take away banking and what else has this Country now got to offer? We only retain some dominance in this financial market because of our regulation free approach. Not really a good foundation to build on for the future is it? A bit like investing in cigarette companies - great profits....today.

So, from where we are now, what is going to lift us out and keep us economically viable in the future?