German VDZ/BDZ combine operations

4344 The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) and the 5017 Federal Association of German Cement Industry (BDZ) are combining operations and merging into 4344 The German Cement Works Association.
The newly-formed body will represent 23 domestic companies and about 95% cent of the German industry with a turnover of approximately €UR2.1billion.
“The merger gives us significantly greater clout and reach,” said chief executive Dr Martin Schneider, who will lead the new organisation.
Overall, the new structure formally confirms the existing cooperation within VDZ and BDZ. This would allow substantial resources to be concentrated.
Moreover, the established cooperation with the Federation of Building Materials – Bricks and Clay Products (BBS) is further deepened, so that the representation of the German cement industry will be strengthened jointly with the construction industry and other partners such as other energy-intensive industries, added Schneider.