ACC despatches up in Aug, AV Birla firms slip

Cement despatches of the Associated Cement Companies (ACC) have increased 5.59 per cent at 12.46 lakh in August compared with 11.80 lakh tonne recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Aditya Birla group companies - Grasim and UltraTech CemCo both reported lower despatches and production for the month.

In a statement, Grasim and Ultratech CemCo, said that production and despatches were affected adversely by the transporters strike. ACC production for the month rose to 12.11 lakh tonne from 11.72 lakh tonne in August 2003, an increase of 3.32 per cent.

Grasim's cement despatches were lower by 4.92 per cent at 9.4 lakh tonne, while production was lower by 0.46 per cent at 9.46 lakh tonne, compared with cement despatches and production in August 2003.

Meanwhile, despatches of UltraTech for the month, slipped 7.99 per cent at 7.77 lakh tonne, while production declined 11.13 per cent, at 7.89 lakh tonne.

Despatches for the period between April and August 2004, increased 6.09 per cent at 66.51 lakh tonne against 62.69 lakh tonne in the corresponding period of the previous year. Production in the period was at 66.86 lakh tonne compared with 62.72 lakh tonne, reflecting a rise of 6.6 per cent.

Grasim's cement production for the period April-August moved up by 4.26 per cent at 53.27 against 51.09 lakh tonne, in the corresponding period 2003.

Despatches in this period rose to 53.24 lakh tonne, compared with 51.41 lakh tonne, in the corresponding period of the previous year.