Alcoa Closing Extrusion Plant

Alcoa Inc. announced plans to close its aluminum extrusion plant in Elizabethton, Tenn., by the end of June. The plant produces products used in the automotive, construction, distribution and industrial products markets. The company is shutting the plant due to slow demand in the soft alloy extrusion industry.

The plant, which shapes aluminum pieces used in automotive, construction, distribution and industrial products markets, is closing because of slow demand in the soft alloy extrusion industry, the company said in a statement. Production will be moved to other North American factories.

The plant closing announcement comes less than a month after Pittsburgh-based Alcoa, the world's largest aluminum producer, said it planned to cut 6,500 jobs and close one plant in Pennsylvania and five others in Europe.

The plant began operation in 1970 and has had several owners, including JARL, Alcan, Cressona and Alumax. Alcoa purchased it in 1998 as part of an acquisition of Alumax.

Alcoa also owns two plants in Alcoa, Tenn., that employ more than 2,000 people. Those plants are not affected by Tuesday's announcement.