Ash Grove idling cement plants

Tools

By The Associated Press

Story Published: Oct 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM MST

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2009 at 10:21 AM MST

HELENA - The Ash Grove Cement Co. plans to suspend production at nine of its 10 plants in the United States, some starting as soon as mid-November.

The company announced Thursday that "adverse economic conditions" led to the decision, which includes idling the Montana City plant. Fifty of the plant's 79 employees will be let go, beginning around Nov. 30.

Plant manager Dick Johnson says sales have been off quite a bit and the plant has full inventory. He says it's likely production will resume in the spring, when demand for the product resumes for the summer construction season.

Johnson says the remaining staff of 29 will handle sales, maintenance and upkeep of the plant in anticipation of a return to full operations.

Ash Grove is based in Overland Park, Kan.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls Weather

Icon
Current Temp 55.0 °F
Fair and Windy
Wind : from the South at 26.5 gusting to 35.7 MPH (23 gusting to 31 KT)
Pressure : 1000.0 mb
Humidity : 11 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather

Helena Weather

Icon
Current Temp 48.0 °F
Fair
Wind : Southeast at 8.1 MPH (7 KT)
Pressure : 1005.7 mb
Humidity : 23 %
More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Cast Your Vote

Do you like the new Montana license plates being proposed?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm on the fence

AP Video