China: Financial analyst Jefferies has estimated that Chinese gypsum wallboard sales will retain their current strength despite a property sector crash following the collapse of developer China Evergrande. Dow Jones has reported that the analyst rated the gypsum wallboard industry as 20 - 30% exposed to effects in the property market. It contrasted this with other building materials such as float glass and coatings which are 50 - 70% exposed to the present fallout.
Panel Rey celebrates 35 year of business
Mexico: Panel Rey celebrated the 35th anniversary of its first day in the gypsum wallboard business on 20 September 2021. The company thanked everyone involved in bringing it to its present prominence in the industry.
Panel Rey said “As a 100% Mexican company, we are very proud to have achieved national and international recognition throughout these years. Thanks to you we have achieved it and together we will continue to build great things!”
Kobots to open investment campaign
Denmark: Gypsum wallboard cutting robot producer Kobots is preparing to seek external investment via UK-based equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs. The supplier is seeking to raise Euro1.4m to fund international expansion. The company launched its Amigo robot in 2020. It was developed by Danish carpenter Peter Hartvigsen to automatically cut drywall using measurements entered in a phone app.
Amigo robots are currently delivering on a 40,000m2 gypsum wallboard cutting contract for the Lighthouse housing development in Copenhagen. The supplier says that its equipment eliminates the dustiest task in gypsum wallboard preparation for construction work. It has already secured a partnership with Australia-based James Hardie.
Developer Peter Hartvigsen added “Any company that has had a demo of Amigo has either purchased or leased the robot.”
American Gypsum receives licence for Eagle County gypsum mine expansion
US: American Gypsum has received a licence from the Eagle County Board of Commissioners for the expansion of its 336ha Eagle County opencast gypsum mine near Gypsum, Colorado by 12% to 376ha. The Vail Daily newspaper has reported that the expansion will secure the company’s nearby gypsum wallboard plant’s raw material supply until 2046.
Plant manager Chuck Zaruba said “As the state continues to grow, we are an essential product for that to occur.” He added that the producer’s local operations provide more than 100 year-round jobs.
