Alcoa Completes Expansions for Aerospace Castings

May 4, 2007
New turbine airfoil capacity at Whitehall among global improvements

May 3, 2007 — Alcoa reported it has completed a series of expansions across its aerospace components manufacturing operations — the Alcoa Power and Propulsion Systems division — worldwide, projects the company says "reflect (its) strong outlook for the aerospace sector in power and propulsion, fastening systems, and structural metallics."

Among the Alcoa Power and Propulsion Systems projects now complete is an expansion of the turbine airfoil casting capacity at the Alcoa Howmet plant in Whitehall, MI. Alcoa also reported it has completed a new airfoil post-cast operation in Szekesfehervar, Hungary; an expansion of airfoil post-cast operations in Acuna, Mexico; and additional turbine airfoil core capacity in Morristown, TN.

In a briefing to analysts, Alcoa said it plans to bring on line five single-crystal casting furnaces this year.

Alcoa also has expanded capacity for heat-treated aluminum sheet and plate by 50%, with projects at plants in Davenport, IA; Kitts Green, England; Fusina, Italy; and Belaya Kalitva, Russia. These additions represent a 50% expansion in these critical aerospace product forms.

Alcoa Fastening Systems has expanded manufacturing capacity and added new capabilities in Suzhou, China; Acuna, Mexico; and Nemesvamos, Hungary. These projects will increase capacity for specialty fasteners for airframe and engine applications by 12% by the end of 2009.