About PRo

PRo Publications International Ltd was founded in October 1996 by Paul Brown (the ‘P’ in PRo), and Robert McCaffrey (the ‘Ro’ in PRo), to publish the original Asian Cement Magazine. PRo quickly diversified, to produce European, Middle Eastern and American cement magazines. Starting in 1997, PRo also started to publish a series of cement industry Databooks. In 1998 the company commenced publication of Global Gypsum Magazine and Global Lime Magazine, and also founded its first website - www.propubs.com.

In March 1999, PRo organised its first conference, the Global Gypsum Conference in Bangkok, quickly followed by the European Cement Conference in Berlin. The company has since organised over 35 conferences and exhibitions, attracting up to 450 visitors each, in Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Cancun, Dresden, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Hanoi, Istanbul, Krakow, Kuala Lumpur, London, Miami, Moscow, Mumbai, Paris, Prague, Puerto Rico, Rio de Janeiro, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Strasbourg, Sydney, Tehran, Toronto, Vienna and Washington DC.

Starting in 2007, PRo re-oriented its conferences, away from general ‘regional’ conferences, and towards ‘must-attend’ specialised niche events, such as refractories, mortars, environmental impact abatement, quality control and alternative fuels. This has resulted in increased attendance, an improved producer/vendor mix and very high approval ratings.

In 2000, following rationalisation in the global cement industry, PRo combined its cement magazines and the Global Lime magazine into GCL: Global Cement and Lime Magazine, which was renamed Global Cement Magazine in October 2006. In mid-2008 Global Cement Magazine added coverage of alternative fuels and raw materials (including slag) to all issues of the magazine.

Starting in 2004, PRo was one of the first companies in the world to offer its magazines for free download to registered users around the world, and this was recognised in 2007 with the presenation to PRo of the Periodical Publishers Association’s ‘Most innovative route to market’ award. Starting in 2008, Global Cement Magazine became available to industry participants and advertisers in print format at no cost - another first for the industry.

In October 2006, PRo's Global Slag Magazine was featured as the guest publication on the BBC's 'Have I got news for you' satirical comedy topical news quiz TV programme.

In 2008, PRo reorganised all its websites to provide customer-centric subject-specific portals, featuring industry news, articles, links and forums: these are now at the heart of the company’s communications strategies.

Since 2007, a division of PRo has organised several major consumer exhibitions in the UK, each event attracting thousands of visitors.

PRo Publications International was the winner of the Periodicals Publishers Association's 'Most innovative route to market' award in 2007, presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on 8 May 2007 (below).



In January 2008, the company published its Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Policities, as well as codifying 'The PRo Way.' (See them here)

In 2008, 2009 and 2010, PRo continued to provide much-needed market information to the building materials industries, during the worst global recession for 60 years.

In 2010 the company is thriving and is stronger than ever.