Conconcreto 1Q 2018 Net Income Drops Sharply; ‘Oriente’ Highway Feasibility Report Due in May

Medellin-based construction giant Conconcreto reported May 9 that its first quarter (1Q) 2018 consolidated net income dropped 86% year-on-year, to COP$2 billion (US$698,000).

Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) also dropped by 36% year-on-year, to COP$33 billion (US$11.5 million).

Colombia’s relatively weak economic growth, recent volatility in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Colombian peso, plus uncertainty over the possible impacts of this year’s upcoming national elections have penalized the construction and housing sectors, according to Conconcreto.

Consolidated gross income also dipped 18% year-on-year thanks to completion of infrastructure projects last year and lack of enough new projects to generate offsetting income, the company added.

Meanwhile, the company expects the Antioquia government to deliver a feasibility report this month to Colombia’s Treasury Ministry regarding the proposed COP$911 billion (US$318 million), 13.8-kilometers-long, “Doble Calzada Oriente” (DCO) divided highway project just east of Medellin.

That project — in which Conconcreto would take a 60% financing stake — has already won route approvals from the local Cornare environmental agency, according to the company. The new route would connect the existing Las Palmas highway near the Sancho Paisa roundabout — as well as the nearby El Escobero highway in Envigado — to and through the El Tablazo municipality, finally terminating near the San Vicente de Paul Hospital alongside the Jose Maria Cordoba (Rionegro) international airport highway.

Another proposed project – the Darien International Port in Antioquia – awaits finalization of negotiations with potential Port clients. That ocean-freight port project earlier won backing from Brazil-based private equity fund Patria, in partnership with U.S.-based private equity fund Blackstone.

Meanwhile, in Conconcreto’s existing housing and infrastructure construction portfolios, current backlog totals COP$2.4 trillion (US$837 million), equivalent to 1.7 years of work, according to the company.

The company also is a major contractor on the US$5 billion “Hidroituango” hydroelectric dam project in Antioquia – now nearing completion of the largest, initial phase.

Conconcreto also is working with the “Pactia” commercial real estate development partnership on the Corferias Hotel (Bogotá), the El Ensueño Shopping Center (Bogotá), the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín building, Blu Logistics, and others, according to the company.