Tennesse Aluminum Alloy Plant to Close

Aleris International Inc. will close its Dickson, TN, aluminum alloys plant by November 20, it announced September 21. The plant was among four U.S. operations (plus two in Canada and one in Mexico) acquired by Aleris as part of its recent $194-million acquisition of Wabash Alloys L.L.C. That deal, announced in July and completed earlier this month, consolidated the two largest suppliers of aluminum alloys to the metalcasting industry.

Dickson produces specification alloys, and Aleris operates a similar operation nearby in Shelbyville, TN. It also produces specification alloys at Coldwater, MI, and at a joint-venture in Saginaw, MI. It has other secondary aluminum operations in Uhrichsville, OH; Morgantown, WV; Sapulpa, OK; Chicago Heights, IL; Rock Creek, OH; Post Falls, ID; and at a joint venture in Goodyear, Ariz.

The Dickson plant supplies ingot and molten metal to customers, including the nearby Nemak (formerly Teksid Aluminum) operation. Recently, local reports have indicated that operation is due for downsizing, too.

Aleris has stated that the production orders for the Dickson operation will be transferred to its other plans. About 67 employees will be affected.