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May 2, 2007
Alcoa Announces Expansions in Aerospace Propulsion, Fastening and Aluminum Manufacturing Facilities
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2007--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced the completion of multiple global manufacturing expansions during an Alcoa Aerospace industry briefing where company executives outlined aerospace growth prospects, market dynamics, technology breakthroughs and Alcoa's actions enabling it to grow faster than the market. The expansions reflect the company's strong outlook for the aerospace sector in power and propulsion, fastening systems and structural metallics.
Expansions in aluminum manufacturing capacity were completed at
Alcoa mills in four countries, reinforcing the company's leading
position in aerospace structural metallics and solutions. New
capabilities in the company's heat-treated sheet and plate capacity
were announced in Davenport, Iowa, USA; Kitts Green, UK; Fusina,
Italy; and Belaya Kalitva, Russia. These additions represent a 50%
expansion in these critical aerospace product forms.
Expansion of Alcoa's Power and Propulsion Systems' global
manufacturing capabilities have included a new airfoil post-cast
operation in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, an expansion of airfoil
post-cast operations in Acuna, Mexico, expansion of turbine airfoil
casting capacity in Whitehall, Mich., and additional turbine airfoil
core capacity in Morristown, Tenn. The company also told aerospace
analysts and journalists that it plans to bring on line five
additional single-crystal casting furnaces in the next two quarters.
Alcoa Fastening Systems has expanded its global aerospace fastener
manufacturing capacity and capabilities with the opening of new
facilities in Suzhou, China and Acuna, Mexico; and through the
addition of new manufacturing capacity and capabilities in Nemesvamos,
Hungary. These investments will result in a 12% increase in the
manufacturing capacity of specialty fasteners for both airframe and
engine applications by the end of 2009.
Productivity gains at all Alcoa aerospace locations have been
realized via the Alcoa Business System (ABS), including an intensive
effort of Total Production Maintenance (TPM). TPM involves employees
at all levels of the organization working together to improve the
operational availability of critical manufacturing equipment.
Alcoa's $3.1 billion aerospace portfolio includes: Alcoa Fastening
Systems (approx. 25 percent of revenues); Alcoa Power and Propulsion
(approx. 35 percent); and Alcoa's sheet, plate and hard alloy
extrusions serving the structures market (approx. 40 percent).
Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in
all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering,
production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers.
In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets
Alcoa(R) wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings,
structures and building systems. The company has 122,000 employees in
44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable
corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
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