Holcim Bulgaria, which operates the cement factories in Pleven and Beli Izvor, has acquired Vris, a factory for production of filling agents and excavation/extraction material, Bulgarian media has reported.

For the moment, the company has not disclosed information on the value of the deal. They have only said that they plan to expand onto the market in Pazardjik and the surrounding region.

Vris operates three mines in the Pazardjik region, a concession deal signed for six years. Although it has been amalgamated within the Holcim Bulgaria structure, Vris will continue to operate the mine as an independent legal entity.

Holcim first became active on the Bulgarian market in 1997 when it acquired the cement factory in Beli Izvor. It has since expanded to include the Pleven cement factory, Holcim Concrete Plovdiv, and excavation production facilities in Sofia and Plovdiv.

The company was not believed to be faring well in 2009, however, when in the summer it announced plans to shed about 100 workers from its factories in Pleven and Beli Izvor.

As a result of the global economic downturn the company suffered a sharp decline in demand. The company said it would "undertake all measures necessary to assist the workers once they are made redundant and ensure that the negative impact on their welfare will be minimised".

Reasons cited for the cut in personnel were the sharp decline of demand for its produce exacerbated by the drastic increase of "cheap Turkish cement".

However, fears at the time that the company might terminate production operation at the factories proved unfounded.