Alcoa announced that its Global Engineered Products business has signed a multi-year contract with Nike to supply specialty aluminum drawn tube for the sports giant's premium brand baseball bats that will be used on baseball diamonds throughout the world this season. Nike's Aero Torque and Aero Strobe baseball bats are made with Alcoa's advanced aluminum alloys C555 and C855, which are derivatives of alloys originally developed for the aerospace industry.
"These technologically advanced Alcoa aluminum alloys are very strong and crack-resistant, yet lightweight. They meet sports equipment manufacturers' demands for reliable high-performance materials. The combination of high fracture toughness and strength allows for lightweight bats with great hitting power," said Dave Dobson, president, Alcoa Global Engineered Products.
"Our premium bats are used by top college baseball programs as well as serious high school and youth players. We are excited with this new partnership with Alcoa," said Charley Stobbs, category business director, Nike Team Sports Equipment.
As part of this new agreement, Nike premium bats will bear Alcoa advanced performance alloy logos. The companies will co-promote the bats and alloys on Alcoa.com, Nike.com, in Nike catalogs and advertisements, and at the NCAA Men's College World Series baseball tournament to be held in
Alcoa's plant in
Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, 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.
