Alcoa has announced a US $83 million (Euro 70 million) investment in its Hungary based operation. The injection will modernise Alcoa-Kofem Ltd, expanding its products capability and related infrastructure, and adding new aluminum wheel production.
Alcoa has developed a new wheel for the Axor construction vehicle together with DaimlerChrysler. The new product does not have any hand holes and has been developed to protect the vehicle’s disc brakes from sand and gravel on the drive axle.
The “workhorse” wheel has the same load and mounting characteristics as a standard Alcoa wheel and will be on display at the DaimlerChrysler stand at the up and coming European Road Transport Sow in Amsterdam.
It is available in three sizes: 22.5 x 8.25, 22.5 x 9.00 and 22.5 x 11.75 and in a Diamond Brite finish.
Alcoa has announced that it has offered to purchase the remaining 18 per cent of the Belaya Kalitva (BKMPO) fabricated aluminium plant in Russia still held by shareholders following its acquisition from Rusal in January 2005.
(Akron/Tire Review) Alcoa Wheel Products said it has been granted a US patent on its Dura-Flange aluminum wheel surface treatment, a product that the company said: “Guards against excessive rim flange wear on commercial vehicle wheels.” Alcoa said it developed the treatment “trucking applications where loads are heavy and prone to shifting, such as logging, tanker and heavy hauling.
Following a $6 million investment Alcoa’s Subassembly and Logistics business will open a new manufacturing plant in North Carolina.
The company, a part of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products, provides wheel and tyre assemblies to the Freightliner Group, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of medium-duty and specialised commercial vehicles.
The new facility is scheduled to begin production in mid-April. It will add to Alcoa’s presence in North Carolina, where it already has four other operating locations.
Alcoa has announced first quarter revenues of $6.3 billion, a four per cent increase from the sequential quarter. Income from operations was given as $273 million, or $.31 a share.
According to the company its income measures include negative impacts totaling $0.09 per share for the tax impact on Alcoa’s sale of its Elkem investment ($39 million after tax); restructuring charges ($25 million after tax); and costs of integrating the recently acquired Russian business ($12 million after tax). The fourth quarter of 2004 included a gain of $37 million, or $0.04, on the Juruti transfer, while the first quarter of 2004 include a gain of $58 million, or $0.07, on the sale of specialty chemicals.
Alcoa’s Hungarian wheel plant won the 2004 National Quality/Excellence Award, the most prestigious business excellence award in Hungary, the company has announced. Alcoa Wheel Products Europe (AWPE) was awarded the national prize by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany during a recent ceremony.
Alcoa has announced that it has proceeded with its purchase of Rusal’s fabricating facilities in Samara and Belaya Kalitva in the Russian Federation. One of the two plants will be used for forged wheel production.The news following approval of the relevant Russian governmental organisation, the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS). This resulted in an FAS private ruling stipulating condition to ensure that Alcoa complies with its legal requirements and notification obligations. With the final government approvals in place, Alcoa and Rusal say they are taking the necessary steps to complete the transaction.
According to the companies, the terms of the transaction will be disclosed when the deal has been completed, which is expected at the end of January 2005. “The decision is an important step forward for both Alcoa and for Rusal,” said Alexander Bulygin, Rusal’s CEO. “For us, it means we can move ahead with our strategic focus on upstream and alloy production, and on expanding our raw materials access. We welcome Alcoa to Russia and anticipate continuing close relations in the future.”
The Samara facility is located about 500 miles southeast of Moscow. It features cast house, flat rolled products, extrusion, and forging capabilities and serves customers in a number of different markets, including transportation, packaging, and industrial products.
The Belaya Kalitva facility is located about 500 miles south of Moscow. The facility also features cast house, flat rolled products, extrusions, tubes, and forgings capabilities. The Belaya Kalitva facility has specialised plate rolling and finishing equipment that will complement and increase Alcoa’s present supply position. Alcoa claims that with its know how and management systems, the plant will not only be able to expand the product offerings for Russian customers but also will eventually be able to produce products for major customers in the west.
Ford Motor Company will now offer a new line of 20-inch Alcoa wheels as Genuine Ford Accessories for Super Duty trucks. Referred to as Super Duty Dubs, customers may now choose from five styles of the strong, hot-forged aluminum wheels – from a flared 6-spoke to a wide 5-spoke design. Each is engineered to meet Ford specifications for durability and vehicle dynamics standards. These wheels are now included as a Genuine Ford Accessory by the U.S. automaker.
Alcoa Aerospace, Automotive, and Commercial Transportation announced that is Cast Auto Wheels business units and the wheel divisions of Alcoa Wheel Forged Products will merge to create Alcoa Wheel Products, offering both cast and forged aluminum wheels to the commercial vehicle and automotive markets.
Kevin Kramer, who has 21 years of experience gained in global marketing position at Goodyear, will lead the new division. “This reorganisation further drives our focus on markets and customers and allows up to identify and implement best manufacturing practices and process technology across our business,” said Bill Christopher, Alcoa executive vice-president.
Alcoa has opened a new Automotive Centre in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA. At the same time the company announced that it has been awarded more than a dozen new product applications by some of the most respected brands in the automotive industry.
Alcoa Automotive has announced that it has launched eight new cast aluminium wheels for Nissan and Chrysler Group.
Alcoa’s contribution to the 60th IAA show centred around the company’s first forged aluminium wide base 17×22.5 wheel.
The Alcoa Foundation has announced that it has awarded $117,000 (£63,000) in grants, to universities in Hungary. The foundation hopes the donations, made in light of the country’s recent accession into the European Union, will aid the country’s preparations to develop the next generation of business leaders.
Alcoa Inc. plans to consolidate all of its automotive businesses into a Farmington Hills facility in a bid to lower operating costs and develop more new products. The Pittsburgh-based company expects to accelerate engineering efforts and improve trouble-shooting, whilst becoming more cost effective with the new 86,000-square-foot automotive centre. The aluminium giant will start moving more than 300 design, engineering, sales and marketing employees into the new centre in the spring.
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