Heracles Cement closes down production unit in Halkida

The production unit in Halkida has been idle since July 2011. The restructuring programme aims to help the group deal more efficiently with the impact of a deep recession in the construction sector, safeguarding the viability of the company and of its growth prospects both in the domestic and external markets.

Under the new structure, Heracles Cement

will continue cement production from its two units in Volos and Evia, exploiting their comparative advantages, mainly their port facilities, to support the group’s activities in Greece and in the wider Mediterranean region.

The production unit in Halkida was hit by a plunge in construction activity in Attica, with sales falling by 80 pct in the period 2008-2013. The company said it will seek every possible solution to minimize the effect of its decision to close down the unit to its 236 workers.

Heracles Cement said the decision will burden its 2013 results by 57 million euros, but expects a positive impact of 18 million euros annually in the following years.

Trade unionists, reacting to the firm’s decision, accused the French-owned company (the majority of its shares are owned by Lafarge) of engaging in “apparent blackmail” and alleged “profiteering practices”.

The workers’ trade union president told that the management “refused to make exports and proceeded to shut down the Halkida production unit in order to keep cement prices high in foreign markets, where they have a leading role by engaging in cartel practices.”

Workers’ mobilizations are planned for Wednesday in the city of Lamia, central Greece, outside the Sterea Ellada Regional Authority offices. Mobilizations are also planned by the Cement Workers’ Trade Union Federation.

Source: ΑΜΝΑ