Ash Grove Reconstructed Foreman, Ark., Cement Plant Earned The ISO 14001 Certification

(Kansas) -- On the eve of beginning its 100th year of operation in 2012, Ash Grove s recently reconstructed Foreman, Ark., cement plant earned the ISO 14001 certification in December 2011, marking the last of the company s eight clinker manufacturing facilities to achieve the designation and making it the only domestic cement maker to have achieved this distinction. In 2010, the other seven Ash Grove facilities earned the certification, administered by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and requiring companies to adopt a rigorous, systematic environmental management system customized to the needs unique to its facilities and subject it to continuous improvement. Once such a program is implemented, certified third-party auditors conduct an extensive audit to verify compliance with the ISO standards before certification is granted and follow up with annual assurance audits. In addition to the Foreman location, Ash Grove s ISO 14001 certified plants are located in Chanute, Kan.; Durkee, Ore.; Leamington, Utah; Louisville, Nebr.; Midlothian, Texas; Montana City, Mont.; And Seattle. “We are pleased to have earned the ISO 14001 certification for all of our plants. The certification validates all of the work Ash Grove has done to create and maintain our environmental management systems. Our commitment to earning the certification is a cornerstone of our environmental leadership program, ” said Curtis Lesslie, PE, vice president of environmental affairs. Source: uaecement.com