Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic we have closely monitored the impact on our business in the UK. During the last two weeks in particular, customer demand for our materials has dropped in almost all areas of the business and very significantly in a number of markets. Unfortunately, we do not see this situation improving in the short term and with the ongoing uncertainty created by the Coronavirus pandemic it has now become necessary to temporarily close a large number of our operational sites.

The company has carefully considered its options and we intend to take advantage of a new Government backed Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. In doing so, we hope to be best placed to quickly resume operations when demand picks up again, whilst keeping jobs secure in the meantime.  The Scheme enables CEMEX to place employees on ‘furlough’, which is a temporary period of leave, to help us deal with the fact that there is no work or less work available at this time due to the current COVID-19 situation.

Under this scheme it is possible for employers to claim for a grant from HMRC to cover costs for each furloughed employee of 80% of salary to a maximum of £2,500 per month plus minimum pension contributions and employer National Insurance Contributions for each furloughed employee. However, CEMEX has decided to ‘top-up’ so that employees receive 100% basic pay, excluding overtime and other variable payments or allowances while they are on furlough leave, subject to periodic review.

All heads of UK business units have therefore reviewed the workload of those in their area, and identified which sites will need to temporarily close and those who have no or significantly less work as a result of the pandemic.

Discussions with those identified as potentially suitable for this temporary period of leave have begun and it is expected that some employees will start to be furloughed from Monday, and throughout next week.

We don’t expect all employees to be furloughed and not all ‘furloughed’ leave will commence at the same time, as we expect it will take us longer to evaluate the need to do this in some business areas and functions than others, and of course the situation keeps changing. All employees selected as potential candidates for furloughing will be communicated with directly by their Manager.

We would like to thank all employees for their commitment to the business. As our vital work continues, thank you to all who will carry on working at our sites and remotely for your dedication and support. We really appreciate everything you do to help our customers, and keep CEMEX UK, and our country, running.

We will continue to keep you updated on all developments in the business. Please do speak to your Line Manager if you have any concerns or questions.