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Grupo Etex to invest US$77m in production activities
Written by Global Gypsum staff
12 October 2017
Colombia: Grupo Etex is projected to invest US$77m in its production activities. 50% of the funds will be used to increase productivity, with 25% allocated to innovation and further 25% invested in safety and maintenance. According to the manager of Grupo Etex, Mauricio Lopez, the company will focus on rural housing in Colombia, the demand for which continues to grow thanks to the recent peace agreement and development of the agricultural industry.
Furthermore, Lopez anticipates a growth in exports to Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as the Caribbean and Central American regions in 2018, motivated by the recent devastation caused by a series of hurricanes. Currently, Grupo Etex is experiencing a strong demand from Puerto Rico, especially for Superboard cement panels and gypsum wallboard.
GMS acquires Washington Builder’s Supply Company
Written by Global Gypsum staff
12 October 2017
US: The gypsum wallboard and suspended ceilings distributor GMS Inc. has acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Pennsylvania, US-based Washington Builder’s Supply Company (WBS) to expand footprint in Western Pennsylvania, according to a company release. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
WBS will join Ohio Valley Drywall Supply, a GMS company acquired in 2015, which serves residential and commercial customers in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
WBS and Ohio Valley will stock a wide variety of products including wallboard, steel, insulation and construction accessories, along with a full range of commercial and residential services, such as after-hours and weekend delivery as needed.
GMS operates a network of more than 210 distribution centres across the United States. The company’s product offerings include wallboard, suspended ceilings systems and complementary interior construction materials.
Reconor buys Danish gypsum recycler Mijodan
Written by Global Gypsum staff
10 October 2017
Denmark: Environmental services company Reconor, a subsidiary of private equity firm Agilitas, has purchased Mijodan for an undisclosed sum. Mijodan, based in South Jutland, recycles a number of products, including gypsum wallboard.
USG Washingtonville plant to spend US$8m on automation upgrades
Written by Global Gypsum staff
06 October 2017
US: USG’s Washingtonville gypsum wallboard plant in Pennsylvania plans to spend US$8m towards automation upgrades in 2017. Plant manager Nicholas Latkovic told the Daily Item newspaper that the company also expects to spend US$8m or higher in 2018. The upgrade will include 20 automated guided vehicles and automated board handling equipment to speed up the production process by 20%. The investment is also expected to add four or five people to the total workforce of 125.
Gyplac to rebrand as Grupo Etex
Written by Global Gypsum staff
05 October 2017
Colombia: Gypsum wallboard producer Gyplac and cement producer Skinco Colombit will rebrand as Grupo Etex. The group also has investments worth US$77m planned over the next five years, according to Dinero magazine. The company holds a 12% share of the building materials market locally.