Alcoa extends Welsh facility
Swansea has opened a new finishing line, part of an on-going
investment programme to upgrade the company's facilities in order
to increase supply for drink cans.
The Alcoa aluminium rolling operations based in Waunarlwydd, Swansea has opened a new finishing line, part of an on-going investment programme to upgrade the company's facilities in order to increase supply for drink cans.
Based on a European programme to secure employment in specific European regions, the EU has approved a £4.25 million (€6.6m) contribution to the project. Alcoa has been cooperating with the National Assembly of Wales and the Welsh Development Agency involved in applying for this grant.
Chris Ditton, Alcoa plant manager Swansea, confirmed that the first part of the investment was a new Coil Processing Line. Ditton commented: "This is excellent news for Swansea. Alcoa is an important employer in the area, and the new processing line will enable us to broaden our product range and to better focus on our UK and European customers' needs and to improve our service capabilities."
"I should like to thank both the National Assembly and the WDA for their support in securing European funding for this project."
"The vast majority of the orders for the line have been placed with businesses operating in the South Wales area. We have had excellent support from local firms as we have sought to install and commission the new line in record time."
Alcoa's Swansea rolling operations is the UK's only producer of aluminium coil for the UK beer and beverage can market.
Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, 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. The company has 129,000 employees in 38 countries.
