Kaiser Aluminum, a leading producer of fabricated aluminum products, on August 14 announced that the company's board of directors has approved a $91 million investment program to significantly improve the capabilities and efficiencies of rod and bar and seamless extruded and drawn tube operations and to enhance the market position of its broad offering of general engineering products. The company announced plans to invest in a new Midwestern facility as well as three existing operations. Completion of the projects contemplated by the investment program is expected to occur by late 2009.
"This program will allow us to significantly improve our logistics and manufacturing efficiencies which, when coupled with our strong market position, offer attractive returns," said Jack A. Hockema, chairman, president and CEO of Kaiser Aluminum. "When fully implemented, the program will enable us to provide Kaiser Select for our full national rod and bar product offering."
The program will leverage state-of-the-art technologies and the latest in Kaiser Production System methodology. The investments will also enable the company to focus certain facilities on its rod and bar and seamless extruded and drawn tube value streams.
Investments targeted to enhance Kaiser Select rod and bar product offerings consist of the new Midwestern facility and upgrades to extrusion presses in the existing
Complementing the rod and bar investments, the company will focus its
"We're further enhancing our strong position in rod, bar and tube products," added Hockema. "These investments demonstrate our continued commitment to these strategically important elements of our general engineering product offering."
Kaiser Aluminum is a leading producer of fabricated aluminum products for aerospace and high-strength, general engineering, and automotive and custom industrial applications. The company has more than 2,000 employees and 11 plants in