MANILA - After hitting a record P6 billion in revenues from April to June, Holcim Philippines said it would reopen the second production line of its cement facility in Misamis Oriental this year.

In a statement, the company said it is set to resume operations of the Lugait facility's second production line this November. Restarting the plant would take 2 to 3 months, and operations would continue based on market demand.

According to Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Ian Thackwray, this move would enable the company to sustain strong sales as demand for cement is starting to pick up due to several infrastructure projects under the government's stimulus program.
"We recognize that government is hard at work, pump-priming the economy with infrastructure projects, and we want to make sure that we are able to continue supporting this initiative. By operating a second line in Lugait, we ensure that there continues to be sufficient market supply," he said.

The resumption of operations of the second Lugait line would increase Holcim Philippines' annual cement production capacity by 884,000 metric tons or 12.4%. The mothballed line's 100 employees would also be restored, with another 40 workers to be hired on a contractual basis.

Thackwray said the additional volumes to be generated in the reopened Lugait line will give the company more room for growth. "As of now, market demand remains strong and there are no indications, as yet, of any slowdown," he said.

At present, Holcim Philippines operates one production line in Lugait. The company also has 3 operating production lines in Bulacan, La Union, and Davao, and idled lines in Davao and Bulacan.