Graymont Western announces agreement with Ash Grove Cement

Graymont Western US Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of an agreement with Ash Grove Cement Company. As of June 1, 2006, Graymont will begin a multi-year lease of the storage, hydrating and bagging operations of Ash Grove's Rivergate plant in Portland, Oregon.

The addition of this facility provides Graymont with the storage necessary to efficiently meet the quicklime requirements of the Oregon market by shipping quicklime from its many production facilities.

Graymont will operate the Rivergate hydrator. This allows for a continuation in the supply of bulk and bagged hydrator lime into Oregon.

Graymont is excited about this opportunity and to the continued development of our presence in the Oregon market. During the upcoming months, there will be significant modifications made to the Rivergate plant to accommodate the incoming shipments of quicklime from our other lime plants.

During this period of construction, Graymont plans to utilize our other rail transfer facilities in the Pacific Northwest, along with our Tacoma plant, to supply the quicklime requirements of customers operating in this market. Graymont will focus significant effort on making this process result in a seamless transition in supply.

Please direct further questions regarding this information to Brent LaMar, Sales Representative, Graymont Western US Inc. His telephone number is (253) 428-6547.