Big Boss Cement Inc., a 100 percent Filipino-owned company, plans to be a significant player in the industry with a production capacity of 10 million to 12 million cement bags a month over the next five years.
Big Boss president Gilbert Cruz said in an interview over the weekend the company also aimed to reduce cement prices to P100 per bag once the company reached the production target.
“We are trying to change the rules of the game and we are confident that our product is a game-changer. It is a disruptor,” Cruz said.
“Eventually once we built the economies of scale and presence is felt nationwide, our visions is to sell the cheapest cement,” he added.
Big Boss sells cement at P150 to P160 per bag, which is already cheaper compared with P175 per bag sold by competitors.
Since starting operation last year, Big Boss is operating two kiln lines in its cement plant in Pampanga province, capable of producing 2.5 million bags a month.
Big Bos before the end of the year will open a cement plant in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte with capacity of 1 million bags a month.
The cement plant in Zamboanga is expected to supply the requirements of the infrastructure projects that the government and private sector will implement to rehabilitate Marawi City.
By February next it will open a third kiln in Pampanga. Another kiln will be completed in May, which will boost production capacity to 4 million to 5 million cement bags a month.
Big Boss has invested P7 billion for the Pampanga cement facility, with the Zamboanga plant requiring a capital investment of P1.5 billion.
Cruz said the company aimed to build cement plants in General Santos, Negros, Iloilo, and all other key islands “so we can spread out this new technology.”
Big Boss launched two bulk cement products that will strengthen its foothold in the local cement industry.
The B40 ‘High Early Strength’ caters to the Ready Mix Concrete market, while the B43, or the so-called ‘Diamond,’ is to be used for precast applications.
“We see a lot of potential in the market for bulk cement that is environment-friendly and guarantees a minimum strength of 40 MPa (megapascal),” Cruz said. “Highly industrialized countries like the United States and most countries in Europe use cement which are 40 MPa and above allowing for more sturdy and durable buildings, houses, bridges, and roads.”