Alcan Initiates Consultation Process with Employees of the Company's Chelmsford Facility in the UK
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PARIS, October 16 -- Alcan Inc. announced today that it will initiate a
consultation process with employee representatives at the Company's Chelmsford facility in the UK regarding the proposed closure of the facility.
The consultation period should last for a minimum of 30 days.
"Alcan regularly reviews its operational portfolio as market and economic conditions change," said Joachim Werner, President Display Europe of Alcan Composites. "After recording losses over the past three years, the Chelmsford facility is no longer economically sustainable, forcing us to consider a closure," he added.
Alcan has reviewed a number of alternatives to the proposed closure. In 2006 and 2007 Alcan initiated a process to explore new opportunities for the facility through operational reconfiguration and a potential sale to a third party; however, these measures did not result in a viable and sustainable solution.
"Alcan has a long tradition of treating its employees fairly, and is committed to carrying out this consultation process transparently, so as to find the best solutions for the affected employees and to minimize the economical impact on the local community," Werner concluded.
If the closure scenario is pursued, Alcan would support the 76 Chelmsford employees in finding new employment. Alcan remains committed to meeting the needs of its customers throughout this process.
Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) is a leading global materials company, delivering high quality products and services worldwide. With world-class technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal smelting, power generation, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and specialty packaging, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs. Alcan is represented by 68,000 employees, including its joint ventures, in 61 countries and regions, and posted revenues of US$23.6 billion in 2006. The Company has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes consecutively since 2002. For more information, please visit: www.alcan.com.
Source: Alcan Inc.
Media contacts: Chrystèle Ivins, Tel.: +33-1-57-00-24-18, Chrystele.ivins@alcan.com;
