ALCAN OPENS FIRST OF TWO NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE FACILITIES NOVI, MICHIGAN, SITE WILL ALSO HOST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

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ALCAN OPENS FIRST OF TWO NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE FACILITIES NOVI, MICHIGAN, SITE WILL ALSO HOST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
28 April 2004 - Alcan Automotive

Automotive aluminum supplier Alcan Automotive begins the first phase of its North American expansion with the official opening of a new manufacturing facility in the Detroit area today. The plant and a sister facility under construction in Saguenay, Quebec, represent a $30-million investment to serve the growing lightweight structural sub-system market in North America.

'We are eager to offer our expertise in the use of lightweight aluminum for structural and crash-management systems to automakers in North America,” noted Dale Ewing, general manager for Automotive Structures North America – part of Alcan’s Engineered Products group. “The technologies and products we’ve developed in Europe already have generated a groundswell of interest from North American automakers and Tier 1 module suppliers.”

The new facility in Novi will be Alcan’s first North American structural components production site. The Novi plant site also will be an administrative center for sales, manufacturing, engineering and research-and-development for sheet products as well as structural components. Production in Novi will begin within the next 90 days; the Saguenay plant will be operational later this year.

The two plants are part of a long-term plan to bring Alcan’s expertise in lightweight structural assemblies to North America. Both plants initially will produce advanced aluminum bumper-beam assemblies for vehicles made in North America by U.S. and Europe-based automakers. The new plants will have the flexibility to produce various structural sub-systems such as instrument-panel supports, engine cradles and sub-frames, as well as bumper systems.

“Locating this first plant in Novi places us conveniently close to our OEM customers in the Detroit area so that we can provide our expertise in product development and assist them with component design,” said Ewing. “Placing our second plant in Quebec allows us to be close to the resources and manufacturing expertise that Alcan has in the Saguenay region. Together, the two facilities provide a strong and responsive supply base for our customers.”

http://www.alcanautomotive.com

About: Alcan Automotive
Alcan is a multinational company in aluminium and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling, with operations in primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing. Alcan employs 88,000 people and has operating facilities in 58 countries and regions.

The merger of Alcan Inc. with Alusuisse Group Ltd. has created a materials company that offers global market coverage and advanced technology solutions in aluminium and other lightweight materials. Alcan has become a leader in the significant growth taking place for aluminium in the automotive sector as manufacturers strive to produce safer, lighter, affordable vehicles.

The organisation currently represents a US$13 billion global enterprise with strong anticipated growth in our automotive businesses, operating under the banner of Alcan Automotive.

A global R&D network, with technology centres located in key markets around the world, combined with an extensive network of aluminium smelters and manufacturing facilities, provides the automobile industry with complete solutions, from materials delivery to design and manufacture of quality vehicle components and modules.

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