FINANCIAL NEWS CEMEX announced that its net sales in the first quarter of 1999 increased 6% in real terms to Ps.10.646 billion versus the same quarter in 1998. In dollar terms, net sales grew 13% in the first quarter to $1.119 billion.

SOUTHDOWN reported record first-quarter net earnings of $29.5 million, up 88% from the first quarter of 1998. Cement operating earnings increased 28.8% to $46.1 million in 1999, compared with $35.8 million in the prior year period.

LAFARGE experienced a 10% improvement in revenue and a 27% improvement in net results for 1999's first quarter, compared to the same period in 1998. The company recorded a net loss of $29.1 million for the first quarter of 1999, compared with a net loss of $39.8 million in 1998's first quarter. Lafarge's worldwide sales saw a 4.1% increase in the first quarter of 1999 to $2.15 billion.

NEWSMAKERS GARY L. PRITT has joined the Aqualon Division of Hercules, Inc. as Industry Representative, Masonry.

ED "GRIFF" SPARKS, laboratory manager for Catalina Concrete, was recently honored with the Sam Hobbs Service Award from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for a career of dedication to the concrete industry and the Southern California Chapter of A.C.I.