High prices and supply shortages prompt British Aggregates Association investigation

A leading trade body has commissioned an investigation into the UK cement market. The British Aggregates Association initiated the investigation following complaints about material shortages, high prices and a perceived lack of competition between suppliers.

Cartel Damages Claims will carry out the investigation. The company is currently seeking over 200 million Euros compensation for 29 German companies, following a successful state prosecution involving the cement industry.

BAA director Robert Durward said: 鈥淔or some time now we have been getting reports of independent companies experiencing difficulty in getting competitive prices for cement.鈥

Durward said both ready-mix and pre-cast sectors have been hit by high prices and supply side difficulties, 鈥淭his raises a number of competition issues and we have therefore brought in CDC to investigate the matter further.鈥

Durward commented that these convictions represent a turning point. He said that it was significant that the delivered price of cement in Germany 鈥渋s now less than half of that being paid by independents in the UK.鈥

The BAA is asking for anyone with relevant experiences to contact them directly.

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