Turning up the heat: A TEC and GRECO joining together for new beginnings

Tell us about the burner equipment business, competitive landscape and outlook. What are the competitive advantages of independents versus the integrated manufacturers?

 

TL/AG: The burner business consists of a small, but elite group of companies. It is such, because it is a small investment for a cement plant, but on the other hand is the heart of the process.

That's why most of the cement groups have their own burning specialists, because they have specialized needs. Only highly qualified companies both in technology, manufacturing and after sales support can be in the vendor list of any cement group ÔÇô big or small.

Of course, you can operate the plant for a few hours if the mill stops, for instance. But what if the burner stops?  If there is no clinker, there is no cement.

The second factor is the fuel cost. Right now, the world is moving toward alternative fuels. This has ushered big developments in the burnersÔÇÖ business since the 90's, and this has been a trend.

One of things about integrated manufacturers is that the customers suffer a strong pressure from them to use their burners, since it is part of the performance guarantee, but in reality, most of the burners that are substituted when the guarantee is over come from an independent supplier.

With our combined resources, A TEC and GRECO, we feel we can offer the best of both worlds. Thus, if the customer wants an A TEC calciner or EPCM service, there is nothing that will obligate this customer to buy a burner from GRECO, and of course if a the customer wants a burner from GRECO, no one will say that a A TEC equipment is needed to complement it.

That's why we say: ÔÇ£One company. One Team. One organization. Two choices for youÔÇØ