The UK-based Hanson PLC agreed recently to the sale of its 50% interest in North Texas Cement Co. to its joint venture partner, Ash Grove Cement Co. for US$125.4 million in cash, subject to final adjustments. the disposal is expected to complete in early January 2003. North Texas' facilities include a 900,000-tpy cement plant in Midlothian, Texas and an import terminal in Houston. Although the plant as originally constructed in 1965, Hanson's investment in the company dates from its acquisition of Pioneer International Limited in 2000. The sale is said to reflect Hanson's strategy of focussing on its core products of aggregates and related products, concrete products, and clay bricks. Following the sale, Hanson's ready mixed concrete operations in the region will continue to receive cement supply agreements from North Texas Cement.