The Ash Grove Cement Company started in 1882 in Ash Grove, Missouri, under the name Ash Grove White Lime Association. The lime that was produced there was used for construction and sanitary purposes. In 1908 Ash Grove opened its first cement plant in Chanute, Kansas. A year later, Lester T. Sunderland joined the company, starting a dynamic family tradition of commitment, dependability, and customer service that is still evident to the present day.

Today Ash Grove is the largest American-owned producer of cement and the sixth largest producer of cement in the United States. The Company has continued to grow throughout the years and now consists of 9 cement plants, two deep water import terminals and a major quarry operation in Blubber Bay, British Columbia, Canada. In addition, Ash Grove has subsidiaries consisting of ready-mix companies, aggregate companies, packaged materials companies, and a paving company.