Alcoa Expanding Aerospace Plate Capacity

Compiled ByJill Jusko Citing an anticipated growing demand for its aerospace alloys, aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. reports that it will increase its productive capacity for aerospace and tooling plate by 30% at its sheet and plate facility in Davenport, Iowa. The Pittsburgh-based company will invest nearly $90 million in its Davenport Works facility, says John W. Collins III, vice president of Alcoa Inc. and president of Alcoa Mill Products. It will break ground next month for this additional capacity with a new horizontal heat treat furnace and quench system, a new plate stretcher, and new plate saw. The installation should be complete by the fourth quarter of 2002. "We are committed to expanding to meet the needs of our customers," says Collins. Alcoa employs 142,000 workers in 37 countries.