Lafarge WAPCO initiates product differentiation

In line with its commitment to continually enlighten block makers, bricklayers, contractors and Nigerians on cement applications, Lafarge WAPCO has initiated product differentiation with a view of meeting the specific needs of customers.

Lafarge WAPCO, second largest cement manufacturer in the country, has four cement brands, which include Classic Elephant Cement, Lafarge Supaset, Lafarge Powermax, and Lafarge Ready Mix.

According to the international cement maker, Classic Elephant Cement is general purpose type, suitable for plastering, rendering, among others, while Supaset is for block making and precast. Powermax, which is 42.5 type launched two years ago, is a high strength type, used for heavy construction. Ready Mix is used for concrete solutions and it is delivered on site to construction firms.

“Lafarge has the wisest range of quality, reliability and sustainability needed to meet the specific needs of cement users in Nigeria,’’ said Joe Hudson, CEO, Lafarge, during the 2013 Customer Award Ceremony held last Wednesday in Lagos.

“Lafarge is a long-term investor, and we are particularly motivated by the growth and future potentials of the cement industry in Nigeria,’’ said Hudson, while stressing that the international company had long heritage in the country, having been doing business here in the past 52 years with integrity, building better cities with durable and beautiful housing projects around the country.

According to him, the company had been contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, having recently trained over 3000 block makers in Ogun and Lagos states, with a manager appointed to have a regular interface with precast and block making segments.

He also stressed that the company’s aim was to delight customers and distributors, having introduced the key distributorship scheme across the market, while partnering the Nigerian Railway Corporation Corporation (NRC) to ensure regular supply of Lafarge products to Oshogbo, Ilorin and Minna.

Earlier in his address, Olusegun Osunkeye, chairman, Lafarge WAPCO, stated that the firm’s products had maintained outstanding quality which met national and international standards, stressing that daily testimonies from customers were indications of its enduring legacies and structures.

“We pride ourselves as the cement manufacturers with the largest product range in Nigeria, thanks to the innovative, value-adding and customer-centric culture of our parent company, Lafarge SA, which is rubbing off on us in WAPCO,’’ he enthused, adding that relevant authorities and real professionals who were in position to know had stated unequivocally that there was no substandard cement in the country as product quality was not responsible for building collapses.