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message from alan cransberg, chairman and managing director, alcoa of australia

Point Henry review complete

The first half of 2012 has been extremely busy as we work to stay globally competitive in the face of very tough economic challenges.

In June we completed a review of the future viability of our Point Henry smelter in Geelong, Victoria, and announced operations are expected to continue until at least mid 2014.

The smelter had been under review since February because of continuing difficult economic conditions for the aluminium smelting industry in Australia due to exchange rates and the aluminium price.

When the review was announced, the Point Henry smelter was facing substantial losses. Since then the value of the Aussie dollar against the US dollar and a continuing low metal price has made the situation worse. However, thanks to the efforts of our employees and the support received from both the Australian and Victorian governments, unions, contractors, local communities and suppliers, we believe we can minimise Point Henry’s losses.

The resilience and commitment shown by everyone at Point Henry has been outstanding. It’s been a difficult and uncertain time for our people and they have not only ensured the smelter has run smoothly, they have done it safely and with a resolve that makes us all proud.

We set a challenge to find significant savings. We are now in the process of implementing the opportunities identified along with some structural changes. I know we have great capability to get the job done.

Commendations and celebrations
Our people and business never cease to amaze me as we continue to accomplish outstanding results.

Earlier in the year Occupational Hygienist Ruth Delaporte from Pinjarra refinery and Electrical/Instrument Technician Katharyn Franks from Kwinana refinery were worthy finalists in the Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Women in Resources Awards; and recently our Director of Health and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Donoghue, won the Wilf Howe Memorial Prize, a prestigious medical honour (read more).

Pinjarra refinery was awarded for its program to reduce occupational noise exposure and prevent hearing loss at the Western Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Safety and Health Innovation Awards; and it won gold at the Fire and Emergency Service Authority’s annual Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards for keeping local communities safe by allowing employees to volunteer with emergency service organisations when a disaster occurs during work hours. Alcoa was also a finalist in the WA Corporate Volunteer of the Year awards announced during National Volunteer Week in May (read more).

Pinjarra refinery in Western Australia also clocked up 40 years of operation this year. An outstanding achievement and one which past and present employees celebrated at an anniversary party in May (read more).

For the 11th consecutive year Alcoa was also named as an ‘Employer of Choice for Women’ by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.

And we can’t ignore the 30 year partnership we celebrated with Greening Australia. Reaching this amazing milestone and the outcomes of this partnership are something we are extremely proud of (read more and check out our celebration video too).

part of our everyday lives

What's fast, green, and shiny all over?
A premium all-aluminium electric sedan that accelerates from 0 to 96 kilometres per hour in 5.6 seconds with zero exhaust emissions, that’s what!

our business

Pinjarra refinery celebrates 40 years
Pinjarra refinery celebrated its 40th anniversary and large numbers of past and present employees turned up to reminisce about the good old days.

part of the solution

30 green years and going strong
Back in 1982 few would have imagined a corporate/non-profit environmental partnership lasting 30 years, however Greening Australia and Alcoa celebrated this amazing milestone on 5 June 2012 – check out our celebration movie!

partnering stronger communities

Giving time to green the future
Volunteers are usually the unsung heroes of society but in May each and every one of them was celebrated during National Volunteering Week. Alcoa was applauded too! And, come October, we will support the inaugural 'Give 1' corporate volunteering call-to-action campaign.

our people

Best in show for Chief Medical Officer
One of the highest accolades awarded by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of London was awarded to one of our own.



	If you would like to learn more about Alcoa’s operations and contribution to the Australian community, visit www.alcoa.com.au. To unsubscribe to this publication, click here.