Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing

Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry manufacture clay products and refractories, glass and glass products, cement and concrete products, lime and gypsum products, and abrasives and other nonmetallic mineral products. Major companies include 3M, Guardian Industries, and Kohler (all based in the US), as well as AGC and Noritake (both based in Japan), CRH (Ireland), Holcim (Switzerland), Knauf (Germany), RHI Magnesita (Austria), and Saint-Gobain (France).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by industrial production and construction spending. Profitability depends on efficient operations, as many products are essentially commodities that compete primarily on price. Large companies have advantages of scale in purchasing and the ability to invest in equipment and technology that improve efficiency. Small companies can compete by offering specialized products, or by serving local markets. Overall, the industry in the US is fragmented: the top 50 companies account for about 45% of industry revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product groups include ready-mix cement (about 25%), portland cement and other portland hydraulic cement (about 10%), and specialized glass for windows and doors (about 10%). Other products include precast concrete products and glass containers.