CRH subsidiary Ash Grove Cement (formerly Suwannee American Cement in Florida) is undertaking a major transformation project at its Port Manatee deep water import terminal in Florida. The project will improve Ash Grove’s capacity to import cement, cement slag and fly ash to meet the existing and future needs of customers in the Florida and south Georgia markets.
“The underlying fundamentals in the Florida market are positive with good population and employment growth. The upgrade of the Port Manatee import terminal will expand our capabilities and strengthen our ability to meet growing demand in the region,” said Ash Grove Regional President Monica Manolas.
The upgrade project includes the addition of a high-capacity FLSmidth/Kovako ship unloader at the terminal, together with the upgrade of existing material transfer and electrical systems, and the addition of self-loading capabilities. The infrastructure improvements and new technology will also increase efficiency and improve environmental performance, leveraging the terminal’s existing silo capacity and complementing the capabilities of Ash Grove’s cement plants in Sumterville and Branford.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021, with the improved facility in full operation by the end of that year.
