Alcoa Closing Casting Plant

Alcoa announced that it will close its Hawesville, KY, automotive casting facility by the end of 2005. The plant closing is a result of excess capacity in Alcoa's automotive castings manufacturing system.

"This plant closing is not a reflection on the strong workforce we have in Hawesville. They are a talented and dedicated group," said Allen Zwierzchowski, president - Alcoa Automotive Castings. "Unfortunately this facility is operating at less than 20 percent of its capacity. With certain program contracts winding down, the plant from a business perspective is no longer viable."

Alcoa plans to sell the facility and will work with the community to attract buyers that could utilize the plant and lessen the impact of the closing.

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI, Alcoa Automotive Castings will continue to operate its other castings facilities in Farsund, Norway and Fruitport, MI. Alcoa Automotive Castings supplies structural, safety-critical components such as knuckles, control arms, cradles and sub-frames for automakers worldwide.