Çimsa Begins Production at Gray Cement Grinding Plant in the US

Through its steadfast growth and transformation strategy implemented over the past five years, Çimsa has evolved from a local cement producer into a global building materials player. The company has now commenced operations at its grey cement grinding facility in the United States, operated through its subsidiary. With this investment, Çimsa has achieved the distinction of being the first and only Turkish cement producer manufacturing in the United States.

The facility, established with an investment of approximately USD 82 million in Houston, will operate with an annual grinding capacity of 600,000 tonnes. Thus, Çimsa has expanded grey cement production to the United States, one of the world's largest construction and infrastructure markets, following Turkey and Ireland.

Production Capacity in the United States Doubled
Çimsa, which currently has an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes through its white cement grinding facility in the United States, has doubled this capacity with the new investment. The new facility will strengthen the company's position in the US grey cement market by backing it with production capacity.

Positioned in line with the objective of becoming a global brand in grey cement, as it is in white cement, the facility has become Çimsa's second grey cement production hub outside Turkey. Thus, Çimsa has become a much stronger player in the United States by holding both white and grey cement production portfolios in the same geography.

"Çimsa Is Now Truly a Global Player"
Çimsa Chief Executive Officer Umut Zenar highlighted the strategic importance of the new investment in the company's global transformation journey:

"The core objective of the strong transformation strategy we launched in 2020 was to transform Çimsa into a global building materials company through geographic production diversification and a differentiated product range. During this process, we strengthened our existing operations while continuing to grow through international acquisitions and new investments. In 2021, we acquired the Buñol plant in Spain and became the world's second-largest white cement producer. We then expanded our portfolio with the Mannok investment in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Today, we are proud to commission our new grey cement investment in the United States."

Zenar also emphasized the significant advantages provided by the facility's local production strategy:
"We have had a presence in the US market for a long time through exports. However, we are now a brand with local production capacity, not merely an exporter. Through this, we will gain logistics advantages while providing our customers with much faster and more efficient service."

"We Will Increase the Share of Our Foreign Currency-Based Revenue"
Noting that strengthening in the US market is central to Çimsa's financial and strategic objectives, Umut Zenar made the following statements:

"Today, one out of every five white cement bags sold in the United States bears the Çimsa signature. The grey cement market is certainly more competitive; however, with our brand reputation, product quality and strong organizational structure, we believe we will achieve significant success in a short time. Manufacturing in the United States will not only expand our global footprint but also contribute to increasing the share of foreign currency-based revenue in our total revenues."

"We Are the First and Only Turkish Cement Producer in the United States"
Zenar concluded his remarks by pointing out that Çimsa is the first and only Turkish cement company manufacturing in the United States:

"Global business practices are changing. The most important factor distinguishing companies at the global scale is proximity to the customer. Through the strategic strength provided by our local production capability, we will ensure supply continuity and always deliver higher value to our customers. Çimsa is now truly a global building materials player."