1. Is cement a global industry?Yes, cement is a global industry. Cement was first made in its modern form in England during the early part of the 19th century. Cement is a product that is in demand globally. According to the case, demand growth was expected to be highest in the developing Asian economies, Central America, the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, cement is a standardized and homogenous product that is needed in urban development throughout every country in the world.

2. What accounts for CEMEXs success to date? In particular, what are the benefits that CEMEX has derived from expanding across borders?One of the primary reasons why CEMEX has been so successful to date is due to in part to their strategy of growth through global acquisitions. Throughout the years of 1985-2000, CEMEX had acquired as many as 15 companies in 15 countries. Through inorganic growth, CEMEX had expanded in: Mexico, the United States, Spain, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Philippines, Indonesia, Chile, Costa Rica, and Egypt. The benefits that CEMEX has derived from expanding across borders are: increased sales, increased tons of capacity, increased export capabilities, more distribution channels, improved efficiency of operations and lower transportation cost because of the many CEMEX locations stationed across the globe.

3. How far can CEMEXs competitive advantage travel?At the current rate of CEMEXs strategy for growth through global acquisition, CEMEXs competitive advantage can travel as far as the company wants to go. CEMEXs current strategy will travel far because they have successfully increased their benefits for a global strategy while simultaneously limiting the costs for a global strategy. CEMEX has created a standardized acquisition strategy they can easily replicate in other countries. By replicating this strategy in other countries, CEMEX can easily maximize profits from the acquisitions while staying incredible efficient. Moreover, CEMEXs strategy allows them to enter other markets while eliminating risks created by differing countries.

4. Do you think that CEMEX is making the right strategic move in expanding in developed country?I think CEMEX would be better off if they focused more of their strategic move in expanding in underdeveloped countries. As stated in the case, CEMEX saw a higher price-earning ratio in un-advanced markets. This data correlates with the idea that underdeveloped countries would be in more demand of concrete for urbanization purposes. So I think that CEMEX would increase sales if they expanded in underdeveloped countries.