As reported in the Houston Chronicle, Ash Grove Texas of Houston and Alamo Cement Co. of San Antonio have joined forces as the Houston Cement Co. The newly formed joint venture will build a cement terminal at the Houston Ship Channel. Ground breaking took place on April 13, and the facility should be complete by spring 2006.

Being built on 88 acres at the Port of Houston, the $42 million-plus terminal will allow both partner to increase imports amid historically high demand for cement in Texas. Ash Grove's existing terminal, three miles from the new facility, will be included in the joint venture. All totaled, Houston Cement Co. will have 175,000 metric tons of storage capacity. The companies will maintain individual identities and marketing control, merely joining forces for a more efficient terminal.