Australia: A court has fined Novus Precast US$19,500 for failures leading to two incidents in 2022 and 2023 during which workers at its Toowoomba precast concrete plant were hit on the head with a chain and suffered a crushed finger. Local press has reported that Novus Precast neglected to ensure that operations conformed to its safe work method statement.
Cypriot ready-mix concrete workers strike for higher overtime wages
Cyprus: Ready-mix concrete workers are continuing a now two-week-long strike to demand higher rates of pay for overtime work. PhileNews has reported that the strikers are seeking an increase from 1.25 times the base rate to 1.4 times for weekdays and 1.8 times for weekends. They have reportedly rejected a compromise proposal by the government.
Cementos Argos launches four new ready-mix concrete plants in Bogotá
Colombia: Cementos Argos has inaugurated four new ready-mix concrete batching plants in Bogotá. One plant is fixed and the other three are mobile, with a combined investment value of US$1.59m. Cementos Argos says that it has gained 276,000m3/yr in additional capacity as result.
Cementos Argos Colombia Central manager Alexander Pedraza said "The mobility situation in Bogotá has challenged us to innovate and develop solutions that allow us to be ever closer to our customers.”
Global precast concrete market forecast to grow by 6% annually up to 2030
World: Data company Research and Markets has forecast that the global precast concrete market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% up to 2030, from US$24bn to US$35bn. It previously grew by 6% year-on-year from US$22.6bn in 2023.