A N N U A L R E P O R T - Bouygues

Two major projects were completed
in Guiana:
• strengthening of the main runway of
Rochambeau airport,
• earthworks for the Soyuz launch
pads at the Kourou Space Centre.
Asia
With all the group’s subsidiaries in
the region benefiting from brighter
economic conditions, sales of bitumen
products reached a record high,
approaching the million-tonne mark.
Expansion in the production, storage
and distribution of oil products, especially
bitumen and emulsions, was
stepped up.
Subsidiaries in Thailand performed
well.
In Malaysia, construction work started
on a bitumen refinery which will
ultimately be able to handle 25,000
barrels of oil a day and produce up
to 800,000 tonnes of bitumen a year.
Production at the plant is scheduled
to begin in early 2007.
In India, where the group has six
production units, Hincol continues to
lead the emulsion market, producing
80,000 tonnes of binders a year.
In Vietnam, the takeover of a company
specialising in the storage and
distribution of bitumen has improved
the group’s geographical coverage in
that segment.
Outlook for 2006
Considerable urban development and infrastructure
needs remain, both in France and
on international markets.
Projects in progress or under consideration
suggest that business will continue to thrive
in the first half of 2006. Although economic,
budgetary and monetary uncertainties
coupled with meteorological considerations
urge caution, 2006 looks like being a repeat
of 2005.
Plans for further acquisitions have been
made, some of which could come to fruition
in 2006, both in France and elsewhere.
If that is the case, and if markets remain
firm in the second half of the year, Colas
may expect to enter a new phase in its
strategy of profitable growth in 2006, with
sales of more than €10 billion, especially as
its advantages remain unchanged:
• network of profitable businesses with relatively
little exposure to cyclical movements,
• a growing proportion of industrial activities
with efficient plant,
• over 95% of sales generated in the developed
world and no exposure in unstable
countries,
• a robust financial situation,
• a simple, flexible organisation.
Mions industrial site: quarrying, mixing, recycling
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
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