Dangote Cement Plc has released its first quarter results for 2013 indicating a 79.5 per cent rise in its earnings per share over the corresponding period last year.

The company’s unaudited results for the three months ending March 31 showed that the pre-tax profit also rose to N53.7 billion, an increase of 80.6 per cent, indicating good returns on investment for its shareholders. The results came on the heels of management’s decision to automate its operations and processes to respond more rapidly to customers’ needs.

The consolidated group revenue in the financial highlights rose by 39.5 per cent to N95.4bn, while gross profits rose by 64.7 per cent to N66.0billion. The consolidated earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) also moved up by 77.8 per cent to N55.4 billion.

In a statement announcing the result, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Dangote Cement, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said the year has begun well for the company.

His words: “Our 38 per cent increase in volumes far outpaced the Nigerian market’s strong growth of 16%. Our gas supply has been better this year and that has driven margins upwards from the first quarter of 2012, when our new capacity at Ibese and Obajana was just coming on stream.

“We are increasing our focus on delivering directly to our customers and have made it easier for them to order and pay for our cement. This has allowed us to improve our position in the market and we remain confident of a good year.”

Mr. Edwin explained that the company’s decision to automate of some of its processes will remove bottlenecks in the product distribution process. He added that the Improved Sales Order Process (ISOP), a web application, which the company had come up with in partnership with its bankers, is designed to speed up payment and product collection process across the country.

•Photo (L-R) shows Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; President of NSE, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON & Acting Company Secretary, Josephine Igbinosun at the 52nd Annual General meeting of the NSE, held in Lagos, weekend.