Alcoa Establishes Aluminum Wheel Products Office in South Africa; Names Managing Director
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NEW YORK & JOHANNESBURG, South Africa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2006--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has established a new entity in Johannesburg, South Africa, called Alcoa South Africa (Pty) Ltd., for the sale and distribution of aluminum forged truck wheels for the commercial transportation market in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. This marks the 44th country in which Alcoa has a presence.
With the establishment of the new entity, Alcoa also announced that John Jewiss, 42, has joined Alcoa as managing director of Alcoa South Africa (Pty) Ltd. He brings a strong background in sales and marketing as well as business consulting experience across several industries.
The Alcoa forged truck wheels will be imported from Alcoa's Wheel Products plant located in Szekesfehervar, Hungary and shipped to a leased warehouse and logistics facility in Durban, South Africa for further distribution. Alcoa anticipates setting up a tire and wheel assembly facility in Durban by the end of 2006.
"Alcoa wheels have seen an explosive growth in this territory over the past few years due in part to the rapid economic growth of South Africa. Increased payload, superior strength, as well as the positive contributions of Alcoa wheels to extended life of tires, disc break systems and suspension systems are the main drivers behind this growth," said Kevin Kramer, President Alcoa Wheel Products. "Setting up a warehouse and logistics facility will increase our service level to the South African truck and trailer OEM's and provide tire and wheel assemblies to them on a just-in-time basis," he continued.
About Alcoa Wheel Products
Alcoa Wheel Products meets the needs of the commercial transportation, automotive, aerospace and industrial markets. AWP manufacture forged aluminum wheels that are strong, corrosion-resistant and lightweight for the heavy trucks, large aircraft and military tanks. Products also include forged and cast wheels for the automotive industry, forged aluminum, titanium and nickel-based alloy parts for aerospace and industrial applications and wheel accessories for commercial vehicles and light trucks. Alcoa Wheel Products has plants in the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Australia.
About Alcoa
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, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 43 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
