Case Study: Ash Grove Cement achieves dramatic safety improvements and cost savings with SmartDrive Systems

Ash Grove Cement - Customer Case Study

Ash Grove Cement Company, a 137‑year‑old manufacturer of Portland cement serving the Midwest, faced rising risks from vehicle crashes, rollovers and close‑following incidents across its 230+ truck fleet. Although it had a defensive driving program, management recognized video was the missing element needed to understand incidents, coach drivers, and reduce public complaints and equipment damage.

Ash Grove deployed the SmartDrive video safety program across its Kansas City‑area ready‑mix and transport fleet and used footage for driver coaching and incident review. Results included a 44% drop in close‑following events, 52% less speeding, 53% higher seat‑belt use and a 25% reduction in mobile device use, plus a 90% reduction in public driving complaints, near‑elimination of windshield replacements, lower fuel use and reduced brake/tire wear. Video also helped exonerate drivers in collisions, increasing driver buy‑in and making the program a permanent safety tool.

Ash Grove Cement

Steve Minshall

Corporate Director of Healthy and Safety