Gypsum industry news

Canada: The Canadian Gypsum Company, a subsidiary of USG, has laid off 14 winter maintenance workers at its Little Narrows quarry in Cape Breton, according to the Canadian Press. Mine manager Byron MacMillan said that company officials have yet to make a decision on the future of the quarry. The company is looking at market conditions and is reducing spending until a decision is made. The layoffs follow winter closing since 2008.

The quarry has operated since 1935 producing gypsum and natural rock. Traditionally it has shipped its products down the eastern seaboard.

Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum has reported that net profit for the fourth quarter of 2015 fell by 66% to US$282,000 from US$828,000in the same period in 2014. Operational profit fell to US$773,000 from US$1.27m.

Net profit for the year in 2015 remained static at US$5.78m compared to US$5.79m in 2014. Operational profit fell by 36% year-on-year to US$3.47m from US$5.41m.

India: With glass reinforced gypsum panels manufactured by FACT-RCF Building Products Limited (FRBL) growing popular, the joint venture company's turnover is expected to surpass US$2.95m during its current financial year.

The growth is significant given that the company's turnover was less than US$73,950 two years ago. During the previous financial year, turnover touched US$369,754, according to C P Dinesh, Managing Director of FRBL.

The sale of gypsum panels during the first nine months of its current fiscal year brought in US$665,233. About 100,000ft²/yr of panels is expected to be sold during the year. Dinesh said that gypsum panels had become acceptable in the country as an alternative to conventional building materials due to their environment friendliness and cost-efficiency.

Sweden: Gyproc has awarded a contract to Claudius Peters Projects for the supply of a gypsum grinding and drying mill type EM 65-592. The mill will be installed at the Gyproc Balsta plant in Sweden. The contract was signed in October 2015.

The scope of supply includes the dismantling of the existing mill as well as the supply and erection of a new mill, including all connections to the existing periphery. A special challenge for this project is the tight schedule for the dismantling and erection of the equipment, within six weeks. Additionally, Claudius Peters Projects' newly-developed hydraulic tensioning system to adjust the grinding pressure will be installed for the first time.

Commissioning is planned for middle of July 2016.

US: CertainTeed has launched its new Habito wallboard, which it says is the strongest and hardest 1/2-inch (12.5mm) wallboard on the market.

Dave Engelhardt, President of CertainTeed Gypsum, said that the product helps eliminate the frustration homeowners have when hanging heavy objects as Habito can hold heavy objects without involving anchors or wall studs.

"Habito continues our emphasis on providing innovative products that offer practical solutions to builders and homeowners," said Engelhardt. The manufacturer pointed to the following features:

• Fastening capability: Fixing capabilities that eliminate the need for threaded wallboard anchors or nailing to wall studs for fixtures under 13.6kg.
• Builder and developer upgrades: Offers professionals an upmarket option, replacing standard wallboard in high-traffic and high-impact areas of the home.
• Better acoustics: Delivers homeowners better sound insulation than traditional wallboard.

US: Gypsum Management & Supply (GMS), a Georgia-based distributor of specialty interior building products, has bought Gypsum Supply Co. Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Gypsum Supply has one location in Toledo and seven sites across Michigan.

"We are thrilled to welcome Gypsum Supply Co. to the GMS family," said the President and CEO of GMS, Mike Callahan. "The acquisition positions us to capitalise on markets throughout Michigan and Northwest Ohio. We plan to leverage the long-term relationships and reputation that Gypsum Supply Co. has built to enhance our presence in this strategic market. We believe that the company and its employees are a natural partner for our growing company as their culture and dedication to excellence mirrors our own mission."