Hanson Cement has a long history dating back to the early 19th century, when it was founded as the Portland Cement Company.

The company was formed in 1981 through an amalgamation of three firms: In 2005, the company's depot in Birmingham was sold and subsequently redeveloped as Curzon Gate.

[2] The company (reported as Castle Cement Ltd) admitted to numerous environmental offences over the years leading up to 2009, during a case in which it was fined £250,000 by the Environment Agency Wales (EAW) in February 2010.

[3] The head office was in Castle Hill at Maidenhead in Berkshire, and the works are located in Ketton in Rutland, Buckley in Flintshire, Clitheroe and Avonmouth near Bristol.

The company had a marine terminal at Avonmouth that is used for the importation of cement in bulk, with samples from there tested at the Ketton site's laboratory each week to ensure they meet British Standards.