IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Holcim mothballs plants

Holcim Ltd, the world's second-biggest cement maker, will mothball an additional two US plants as it accelerates capacity cuts to combat slumping demand.

Earnings halved in North America last year and the US construction industry is headed for a further slowdown in 2009, the Jona, Switzerland-based company said yesterday. Factories in Artesia and Mason City will be temporarily closed.