Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who are the founding members and sponsors of Attock Cement Pakistan Limited (ACPL)?

Pharaon Commercial Investment Group Limited of Saudi Arabia, headed by Dr. Ghaith R.Pharaon, formed ACPL.

2. When was ACPL incorporated and started its commercial activity?

The project was conceived and the company was incorporated in 1981. Commercial production/activity started on June 1,1988.

3. Worker’s strength at ACPL Factory and Head office?

ACPL’s manpower at the head office and factory is censured at 67 and 419 respectively.

4. Where is ACPL’s factory located?

Factory is located on at Sakkran. Hub Chowki, Lasbela district in the province of Balochistan.

5. How is cement produced?

Cement is manufactured and made available for sale after processing through following six stages:

• Raw Material Quarrying;
• Stock Pile Formation;
• Raw Meal Manufacturing;
• Clinker Manufacturing;
• Cement Manufacturing; and
• Cement Packaging

6. What is the current production capacity of ACPL and what are the futures plans to enhance the above capacity.

Presently, ACPL has the daily and annual production capacity of 2400 MT per day and 756,000 MT per annum, respectively. However, company has started its expansion plan titled as Line 2. It is expected that Line 2 will be fully operational from January 1, 2007 and will have additional daily and annual production capacity of 3000 MT per day and 945,000 MT per annum, respectively.

7. What Raw Materials are included in Cement Composition?

Main constituents of cement are:

a) Limestone;
b) Overburden
c) Shale
d) Iron ore
e) Slag
f) Gypsum

8. Primary sources of energy consumed in cement manufacturing by ACPL?

Presently, coal is being utilized as a primary source of fuel. However, the company has an option of using furnace oil or natural gas as substites.

9. Group companies of ACPL?

Companies operating in Pakistan under the banner of Pharaon Group include:

Attock Refinery Ltd
Attock Petroleum Ltd
Attock Oil Company Ltd
Pakistan Oilfields Limited
Attock Hospital (Pvt) Ltd.
Capgas (Pvt) Ltd.
Attock Information Technology Services (Pvt) Ltd.

10. Chief export markets of ACPL and export sales quantities during the year?

ACPL was exporting clinker to Bangladesh from 1993 to 1999. In order to benefit from the rising demand in the regional markets, ACPL started re - exploring the exported market in the year 2003. Main markets where cement has the potential to be exported are UAE, Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq. During the year 2004, 33,110 MT of cement and 41,500 MT of clinker were exported.

11. Dividend payout history for the last five years?

2004 12.5%
2003 10%
2002 15%
2001 Nil
2000 2.5%

12. In quantitative terms how much market share is enjoyed by ACPL in Pakistan?

ACPL during the year 2004 achieved an impressive sales target of 574,068 metric tons and enjoys approximately 4.59% of total cement market share in Pakistan.

13. Role played by ACPL for the benefit of society?

The Company continues to discharge its social responsibilities towards its workers as well as the downtrodden. For this purpose a school was developed along with a free medical camp at Hub near the factory premises, for the benefit of the workers as well as for the villagers.
Moreover, in recognition of the services rendered by the older workers, the holding of long service award ceremony is now a regular feature of the Company.