BPB is pleased to announce that it is to construct a fourth plasterboard plant with an initial annual capacity of 15 million square metres at Bangalore, strengthening the group’s Indian distribution network.


The new Bangalore plant, which follows the commissioning earlier this month of new board capacity at the combined plasterboard and plasters facility in Mumbai, will be ready by mid-2007 and represents the next stage of a planned expansion programme which will see a further three plants commissioned by 2010 to meet expected sales volume growth of circa 30% per annum.


India’s strong economic growth, positive demographic trends, and increasing urbanisation continue to sustain substantial construction activity levels which, combined with the group’s first-mover competitive advantage and accelerating demand for plasterboard, provide a unique growth opportunity for BPB.


The group’s global plasterboard expansion programme is focused on installing capacity to meet medium-term sales growth and is progressing well, with key new developments in the rest of Asia including:

• a doubling of capacity in Thailand, with the commissioning this month of a further 40 million square metres at the Laem Chabang plant to meet growing domestic and export demand
  
  
  
• commissioning in early 2006 of a new plant of 15 million square metres near Kuala Lumpur, to meet fast growing demand in the Malaysian peninsula
  
  
  
• doubled capacity in China in early 2007, with the commissioning of a new plant of 30 million square metres at Changzhou to meet expected high volume growth in the eastern province of Jiangsu

Commenting on the group’s expansion in India and other rapidly developing markets in Asia, Richard Cousins, BPB chief executive said:


“India provides the group with an exciting opportunity for investing in future profitable growth, and as market leader we are delighted with the progress being achieved in developing this potentially huge plasterboard market.


Our new generation of Asian plants will operate at world class standards, establishing a more efficient regional distribution network, significantly improving customer service levels, and strengthening BPB’s representation in key high-growth markets”.

Notes to editors

• BPB is the world leader in the supply of plasterboard and gypsum plasters, and a major supplier of insulation, ceiling tiles and related products for interiors, serving growing markets for building systems in over 50 countries.

ENDS

Contacts:
Faeth Birch, Finsbury (020 7251 3801)
Available on BPB’s website: www.bpb.com