The company has welcomed the first visit from Master of Science (MSc) students from Aston Business School in Birmingham to the cement plant.

The 13 post graduate students, studying for their MSc in e-Business, visited the plant as part of their Project Management module.

The Rugby cement works has achieved a record year in 2005 with its best ever production figures, world-class reliability and high levels of environmental performance.

The environmental prospects for 2006 look better still as the company gets underway with installation of a state-of-the-art £6.5 million dust filter. It is also hoping, following recent completion of trials, to secure approval from the Environment Agency for long-term use of chipped tyres as an alternative fuel with a resulting further improvement in emissions.