Recent Years Activities

Restructuring

-In August 2012, the Company announced that it has reached an agreement to sell assets associated with Alcoa's Rockdale, Texas, U.S. site to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The agreement includes approximately 34,000 acres of property and certain common plant and equipment assets. It will retain ownership of its smelter and aluminum powder operations. The transaction is expected to close by early next year. The Company temporarily curtailed smelting operations at Rockdale in 2008, and permanently closed two of six lines in January, 2012. The site currently employs about 70 people mainly associated with the aluminum powder operations. (From a press release on August 15, 2012)

-In April, 2012, the Company announced that it will reduce annual alumina production capacity by approximately 390,000 metric tons to align production with smelter curtailments Alcoa announced earlier this year. The curtailments will reduce Alcoa's refining capacity in the Atlantic region by about 4 percent. The Atlantic region represents about 50 percent of Alcoa's total global refining capacity of 18 million metric tons per year. (From a press release on April 5, 2012)

-In January 2012, the Company announced that it intends to curtail operations at three European aluminum smelters as part of a previously announced restructuring in its Global Primary Products business. Operations at Alcoa's Portovesme, Italy, as well as La Coruna and Aviles, Spain, smelters are designated for curtailment, with the intended actions to be completed in the first half of 2012. At Portovesme, the Company will begin the consultation process to permanently close the facility. The La Coruna and Aviles curtailments are planned to be partial and temporary. The curtailments represent 240,000 metric tons, or about 5 percent, of Alcoa's global smelting capacity. Total capacity at Portovesme is 150,000 metric tons. Capacity at La Coruna and Aviles is 87,000 and 93,000 metric tons per year, respectively. (From a press release on January 9, 2012)

-In January 2012, the Company announced that it intends to close or curtail approximately 531,000 metric tons, or 12 percent of its global smelting capacity. The Company will permanently close its smelter in Alcoa, Tennessee, the U.S., which was curtailed in 2009, along with two of the six potlines at its Rockdale, Texas smelter. Together, these closures will reduce Alcoa's global smelting capacity of 4.5 million metric tons per year by 291,000 metric tons, or about 7 percent. The curtailments, to be announced in the near future, will reduce Alcoa's global smelting capacity by an additional 240,000 metric tons, or about 5 percent. The curtailments are expected to be complete by the first half of 2012. (From a press release on January 5, 2012)

-In April 2010, the Company completed the divestiture of the Transportation Products Europe business. 

-In June 2009, the Company sold its wire harness and electrical distribution portion of its Electrical and Electronic Solutions business (AEES) to Platinum Equity, a California-based private equity group. In November 2009, Alcoa sold the remainder of AEES, which consisted of the electronics portion of the operation, to Flextronics International Kft. and certain other subsidiaries of Flextronics International Ltd., a public company incorporated in Singapore.

-In July 2008, the Company announced that its Alcoa Electrical and Electronic Systems (AEES) business has initiated a restructuring of its Honduran and Mexican operations. Upcoming actions include the closure of its electrical distribution (EDS) facility in El Progreso, Honduras. (From a press release on Jul 11, 2008)

-In May 2008, the Company announced that its Alcoa Electrical and Electronics Solutions business will close its operations in Puebla, Mexico and its warehouse in Del Rio, Texas during the third quarter of 2008. The business produces and distributes electrical distribution systems and other products for the North American vehicle market. This decision is necessary due to lower production demand and a change in logistics processes. The restructuring will result in the permanent reduction of about 65 associates in Del Rio and approximately 1,400 in Puebla. (From a press release on May 12, 2008)

-In November 2007, the Company completed the sale of its automotive castings business to Compass Automotive Group, LLC, a portfolio company of Monomoy Capital Partners, L.P. The Company's business had 2006 revenues of approximately $150 million and employed approximately 530 employees in two operating locations: Fruitport, MI and Farsund, Norway. The Company will continue to operate its other automotive businesses globally, including its facility in Soest, Germany.

-In October 2007, the Company announced that it had reviewed strategic alternatives related to its Electrical and Electronic Solutions business (formerly the Alcoa Fujikura Limited wire harness business) and approved a targeted restructuring plan to improve future returns and profitability.

Recent Development in USA

-In March 2012, the Company announced that it broke ground on a 300 million USD expansion of its Davenport plant, Iowa, the U.S. to meet rising demand for aluminum from the automotive market. The expansion will create an additional 150 full time jobs in Davenport once completed, bringing total employment to more than 2,300 jobs. Following the expansion, the plant will have more than 130 acres under roof. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. (From a press release on March 2, 2012)

Recent Development Outside USA

-In December 2012, the Company announced that its Alcoa Wheel and Transportation (AWTP) business has opened a production facility in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. The new plant machines and finishes forged aluminum wheels for commercial vehicles, including trucks, trailers and buses. This is the first wheel manufacturing facility Alcoa has opened in China, adding to the list of existing wheel facilities in North America, Europe and Japan. (From a press release on December 13, 2012)

-In February 2012, the Company announced that the Ma'aden Alcoa aluminum joint venture started the construction of its alumina refinery at the fully integrated aluminum complex at Ras Al Khair, formerly Ras Az Zawr, Saudi Arabia. Once complete, the refinery will initially produce 1.8 million metric tonnes of smelter-grade alumina per year. The refinery is scheduled to begin production in 2014. (From a press release on February 3, 2012)

Joint Ventures

-In February 2012, the Company and China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) announced they have finalized an agreement to establish a joint venture company in Shanghai, China. The new joint venture company, Alcoa CPI (China) Aluminum Investment Co. Ltd., will be majority owned and managed by Alcoa. The joint venture will serve as a manufacturer of fabricated aluminum products for the automotive, aerospace, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and packaging markets in China. (From a press release on February 21, 2012)

-In September 2011, the Company and the China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) have signed a Letter of Intent that provides a framework for a joint venture. The new company will focus on producing fabricated aluminum products in China. The new joint venture's facilities will supply Chinese automotive, aerospace, packaging and consumer electronics markets. (From a press release on September 14, 2011)

New Company Establishments

-In June 2006, the Company announced that it established a new entity in Johannesburg, South Africa, called Alcoa South Africa (Pty) Ltd., for the sale and distribution of aluminum forged truck wheels for the commercial transportation market in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. This marks the 44th country in which Alcoa has a presence. The Alcoa forged truck wheels will be imported from Alcoa's Wheel Products plant located in Szekesfehervar, Hungary and shipped to a leased warehouse and logistics facility in Durban, South Africa for further distribution. Alcoa anticipates setting up a tire and wheel assembly facility in Durban by the end of 2006. (From a press release by the company on 26.Jun, 2006)

-In May 2005, the Company announced it created Alcoa Fastening Systems (Shanghai) Co Ltd. AFS Shanghai, located in the Waigaoqiao free trade zone in Shanghai. It will focus on OEM and after market sales and logistics support for the full range of Alcoa Fastening Systems products produced at each of their manufacturing plants worldwide.

 

Contracts

-In November 2011, the Company announced it has developed a new all-aluminum space frame and bus design for BYD that has reduced the weight of the new BYD Electric Bus body by 40 percent, or nearly one ton, versus steel options. In addition to reducing the weight of the bus body, Alcoa solutions including Alcoa forged wheels and Huck Spin fasteners reduced the overall bus weight by 1.2 tons in total. The combined weight savings are expected to help improve the overall range of the electric bus by at least 10 percent. The new bus has a range of approximately 300 kilometers (188 miles) on a full charge. The first two BYD Electric Bus prototypes were launched in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. (From a press release on November 10, 2011)

-In September 2011, the Company and Becema Jsc, a Russian producer of tanks and semi-trailers, have launched a new lightweight aluminum cement hauler for the Russian market using Alcoa's new aluminum sheet alloy 1565M. By using Alcoa's new sheet alloy, the weight of the tank body has been reduced by 25-30 percent over base aluminum alloys. The weight has been reduced 300 percent versus a steel tank, saving approximately 2600 kilograms or more than 2 tons per tank. (From a press release on September 22, 2011)

-In October 2010, the Company announced that it is supplying lightweight forged aluminum wheels for the new Ferrari 458 Italia. Wheels for the new Ferrari are forged at Alcoa's Cleveland plant in Ohio, USA. (From a press release on October 27, 2010)

-In April 2010, the Company announced that it supplies forged aluminum wheels to GM for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. These wheels are forged at Alcoa's Cleveland plant, Ohio, USA. (From a press release on April 20, 2010)

-In December 2008, Alcoa Automotive Wheels announced that it has been awarded the wheel program for the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. Volt production is expected in late 2010. Forged aluminum wheels by Alcoa are typically greater than 20 percent lighter while doubling strength as compared to a similar cast aluminum wheel. (From a press release on Dec 19, 2008)

-In October 2008, the Company announced that it has been selected by Ferrari to supply the all-aluminum space frame for the upcoming Ferrari California. Alcoa's space frame manufacturing facility is located in Modena, Italy, very close to the Ferrari plant. (From a press release on Oct 23, 2008)

-In October 2008, Audi AG has selected Alcoa to supply forged aluminum wheels with Dura-Bright(R) technology surface treatment for the new 2009 Audi A6. Fitment on the Audi A6 signals the first application of Dura-Bright technology for a European luxury sedan. (From a press release on Oct 10, 2008)

-In October 2007, Alcoa announced that it is supplying two complex components for Nissan's GT-R. The just-introduced GT-R features aluminum inner-door and rear-seat structures made from Alcoa's proprietary vacuum die casting process (AVDC) at the company's plant in Soest, Germany. Both components also feature new, proprietary alloys developed by the Company. The rear seat structure also provides a weight savings of approximately 25% compared to a conventional steel design. (From a press release on Oct. 25, 2007)

-In September 2007, Alcoa Wheel Products announced an extensive wheel fitment program with TechArt Automobildesign, a world-renowned specialist for Porsche sports car tuning, to include the new Porsche Cayman, Boxster, 911 Carrera and 911 GT3.

-In September 2007, Alcoa Wheel Products announced an exclusive supplier agreement to provide all wheels for Lamborghini Murcielago Reventon.

-In November 2006, Alcoa Wheel Products announced that it would be the standard supplier of forged aluminum truck wheels for Volvo Trucks North America. (From a press release by the company on Nov. 2, 2006)

-In November 2006, Alcoa Wheel Products announced that they have signed a contract extension with Mack Trucks Inc. This contract extends Alcoa as Mack's primary supplier of forged aluminum truck wheels in North America. (From a press release by the company on Nov.1, 2006)

-In June 2006, the Company announced that its AFL Automotive business is supplying Polaris Industries Inc. with wire harnesses for the company's RANGER all-purpose utility vehicle, one of Polaris' fastest-growing product lines. The wire harnesses are manufactured at AFL Automotive's facility in Acuna, Mexico and then shipped to Polaris' Roseau, Minnesota and Spirit Lake, Iowa, manufacturing plants where the RANGER is produced. (From a press release by the company on 27.Jun, 2006)

-In February 2006, the Company announced that it was supplying the aluminum space frame for the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, presented at the Geneva Auto Show. The space frame is being manufactured at the newly-expanded Alcoa Advanced Transportation Systems (AATS) plant located in Modena, Italy. (From a press release by the company on Feb. 28, 2006)

-In February 2006, the Company announced that Hyundai Motor Manufacturing America (HMMA) would use the Company's cast aluminum rear upper control arm for the new 2007 Santa Fe. It is the first time that Hyundai Automotive uses the Company's components. This component is produced using the Vacuum Riser-less and Pressure Riser-less (VRC/PRC) mold castings process. (From a press release by the company on Feb. 21, 2006)

-In October 2005, the Company announced that it has been sourced as the tail lamp chassis electrical distribution supplier for the current 9000 Series heavy duty trucks manufactured by International Truck and Engine Corporation in Canada.

-In August 2005, the Company announced that it has been sourced for various lightweight aluminum components and the power and signal distribution system essential for the new General Motors Corvette Z06, scheduled to debut later this year.

-In June 2005, the Company announced AFL Stribro was awarded a new contract from Skoda to deliver a complete new vehicle electrical system for the newest model Skoda Fabia.

Awards

Year	Award	Company	Subsidiary/ Facility
2010	Supplier of the Year	Modine-Asia	Kunshan plant
2008	Global Innovation Award	Nissan	-
2005	Quality Master Award	Nissan North America	-
2005	Best Supplier Award	Delphi	-
2005	Award for Product Quality	VW Group	AFL Automotive
2005	President's Award	Ferrari	-
2005	Plant Manager's Award	Honda of Canada Manufacturing	-
2004	Multi-Year Achievement Award	Toyota Motor North America, Inc.	-
2004	Quality Master Award	Nissan North America	-
2003	Quality Master Award	Nissan North America	-

R&D Expenditure

(in million USD)

	FY ended Dec. 31, 2012	FY ended Dec. 31, 2011	FY ended Dec. 31, 2010
Total	197	184	174

 

Product Development

-In November 2006, the Company's wheel products are a finalist in the prestigious 2007 Automotive News PACE Award competition. The 13th annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Microsoft, SAP, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) and Automotive News. Alcoa Wheel Products was recognized for its Dura-BrightWheels with XBR Technology. The truly unique properties of this patented surface technology create a cross-linked system that actually penetrates the aluminum to become an integral part of the wheel. Unlike coated wheels, it will not peel, crack, corrode, or chip. Dura-Bright wheels only require rinsing with water to maintain their extremely bright polished appearance. (From a press release by the company on Oct.17, 2006)

-In September 2006, Alcoa Wheel Products introduced the Dura-Bright wheels with XBR technology. The Company's new Dura-Bright wheels with XBR technology are now brighter than ever and provide customers with wheels that are 53% more reflective. Effective September 1, Alcoa Wheel Products would officially begin transitioning from original Dura-Bright wheels to new Dura-Bright wheels with XBR technology. (From a press release by the company on Aug.24, 2006)

Technological Alliance

-In September 2006, Alcoa's AFL Automotive business and Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Altairnano) announced that they have signed an agreement to develop a battery pack system for medium-duty hybrid trucks. The collaboration brings together Altairnano's innovative nano-titanate battery technology and AFL Automotive's expertise in vehicle electrical distribution systems, power management electronics and its substantial presence as a world renowned supplier to the automotive market. (From a press release by the company on Sep. 6, 2006)

-In October 2005, the Company announced with Ferrari that they had formed a long-term strategic partnership focused on creating advanced aluminum technology for future generations of Ferrari vehicles.

-In September 2005, the Company announced that it signed a letter of intent with Seohan Industries Co., Ltd. of Korea to form an alliance to produce cast aluminum chassis and suspension components and modules for the automotive industry in South Korea, Japan, China and Australia. Under the agreement, the Company intends to license its Vacuum Riser-less and Pressure Riser-less Casting (VRC/PRC) technology and sell related production assets. Seohan will establish an aluminum castings plant in South Korea to supply OEMs in this part of the world with cast structural parts using the technology. When operational, the Seohan plant will compliment and expand the Company's current VRC/PRC aluminum casting capabilities in the United States and Europe.

Capital Expenditure

(in million USD)

	FY ended Dec. 31, 2012	FY ended Dec. 31, 2011	FY ended Dec. 31, 2010
Total	1,261	1,287	1,015

 

Investments in USA

-In Sept. 2011, the Company announced it will expand its Davenport, Iowa, U.S. rolled aluminum products plant. The expansion, which will entail an investment of approximately 300 million USD, will create an additional pillar of production dedicated to the automotive market. The growth project will create an additional 150 full time jobs in Davenport once completed, bringing total employment to more than 2,300 jobs. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. (From a press release on September 15, 2011)

-In July 2011, the Company announced that it will expand B&C Research, part of the company's Wheel and Transportation Products business in Barberton, Ohio, U.S.. This 21 million USD investment will create 30 jobs. The new 35,000-square-foot facility will produce billet from remelted scrap aluminum. The aluminum billet will then be used to make new wheels.The expansion is scheduled to be completed the second half of 2012. (From a press release on July 1, 2011)

-In April 2005, the Company announced that its sub assembly and Logistics business, a part of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products, will open a new manufacturing plant in Salisbury, N.C. The new facility - a $6 million investment - will support Freightliner locations in North and South Carolina. Alcoa Subassembly and Logistics provides wheel and tire assemblies to the Freightliner Group.

Investments Outside USA

-In November 2011, the Company announced the Company has approved the next phase of a 5-year, 2.1 billion USD investment plan for its Baie-Comeau, Deschambault and Becancour aluminum smelters in Quebec, Canada. The plan will increase production capacity by 120,000 metric tons per year. (From a press release on November 7, 2011)

-In October 2011, the Company announced that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Angola to explore development of a 750,000 metric-ton per year aluminum smelter. If the project moves forward, first metal from the smelter would be produced in 2020. (From a press release on October 27, 2011)

-In April 2011, the Company and Ma'aden, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, announced they broke ground on their joint venture rolling mill in Ras Az Zawr, Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will develop a fully integrated industrial complex, including: A bauxite mine with an initial capacity of 4,000,000 metric tons per year (mtpy); an alumina refinery with an initial capacity of 1.8–2.0 million mtpy; an aluminum smelter with an initial capacity of 740,000 mtpy; a rolling mill, with initial capacity of 380,000 mtpy. First commercial production from smelter and mill is scheduled in 2013. First production from the mine and refinery is set for 2014. Total project cost is expected to be approximately 40.5 billion Saudi riyals (10.8 billion USD).The joint venture is owned 74.9% by Ma'aden and 25.1% by Alcoa with Alcoa having the right to expand to 40%. (From a press release on April 21, 2011)

-Alcoa Wheel Products Mexico started to produce the Dura-Bright with XBR technology line of forged aluminum wheels. The facility began operating in 2006 and will serve customers primarily in the U.S., Latin America and Mexico. The plant is currently shipping wheels to Europe to help shorten lead times there for Dura-Bright wheels, until a new line is operational in Hungary in 2008.

-In October 2005, the Company announced that it will open a new, larger space frame manufacturing facility in Modena, Italy, in the second quarter of 2006. When fully operational in mid-2006, the new facility will double the Company's space frame production capacity.

-In May 2005, the Company announced that its AFL Automotive business opened a new development center in Plzen, Czech Republic.