Cement - An Industry In Flux

There is an accelerating acceptance of change by management of cement companies. Diversity of response is noticeable in efforts across the country to reverse the downward trend in profits that brought margins in 1966 to the lowest point in 20 years. New concepts are emerging among managers as they seek to increase the efficiency in use of the basic corporate resources of men, capital and technology. The shift towards computerized control of cement manufacturing is making new gains as is diversification of cement companies into allied fields such as production and sale of natural and light- weight aggregates, crushed stone and concrete products. Increased interest in special products such as white cement and further moves overseas are also significant. Perhaps the most dramatic event of recent years occurred in Washington at hearings before the Federal Trade Commission where cement producers split on whether there should be FTC guidelines that would prevent ownership of ready-mixed concrete producers by cement companies.