CEMEX Participates in the World of Concrete; Stressing CEMEX's Commitment to the U.S. Market; "Combining the best of CEMEX with the best of Southdown".

Business Editors

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2001

CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: CX), one of the three largest cement companies in the world, today announced that--for the first time--it is participating in the World of Concrete, the largest construction industry trade show in the United States. The World of Concrete, which is expected to attract 100,000 visitors, is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from February 28 until March 2.

Mr. Francisco Garza, President of CEMEX's North American Region and International Trading commented, "Our participation in the World of Concrete is very important for CEMEX. We will introduce the CEMEX name and identity to all of our new customers in the United States and reconfirm our commitment to the industry. When we acquired Southdown last year, we inherited their long standing commitment to leadership in the U.S. cement industry. The World of Concrete is also an excellent opportunity to show our customers how we are combining CEMEX's skills, technology, and global resources with Southdown's knowledge of the U.S. market to create a dynamic, new force in the U.S. industry."

In November 2000, CEMEX acquired Southdown, becoming one of the three largest cement producers in the United States and enhancing its position as the third largest global producer.

"I believe that active industry promotion is good for our business and good for our customers," said Mr. Clarence Comer, President of CEMEX's U.S. Operations and former President and CEO of Southdown. "Southdown had long played a leading role in industry associations in the United States. Now, as CEMEX, we are continuing this commitment."

In the United States, CEMEX is rapidly integrating the people, facilities, and other assets of Southdown into its global network, producing significant cost savings as well as enhancing the service and products it provides customers. Simultaneously, the Company is upgrading existing terminals and facilities to increase production, storage, and distribution capacity and preparing to introduce Internet based services to customers.

With the combination of Southdown and CEMEX USA, CEMEX, Inc., has 13 cement plants, a network of over 60 strategically located distribution terminals, and an annual production capacity of almost 14 million short tons in the United States.

"We do not aim at being the largest, but at being the best and most profitable multinational cement producer in the world. Building a strong platform in the United States is a critical element of realizing that goal. By combining the best of CEMEX with the best of Southdown, we will be able to offer more products and services to more customers in the United States, with greater reliability and consistency," concluded Mr. Garza.

CEMEX is one of the three largest cement companies in the world with approximately 77 million metric tons of production capacity. It is also the world's largest trader of cement and the world's leading producer of white cement. CEMEX is engaged in the production, distribution, marketing and sale of cement, ready mix concrete, aggregates, and clinker through operating subsidiaries in four continents. For more information, visit www.cemex.com