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Alcan Opens First of Two North American Automotive Facilities
NOVI, Mich. -- Automotive aluminium supplier Alcan Automotive began the first phase of its North American expansion with the opening of its new manufacturing facility in the Detroit area. The plant and a sister facility under construction in Saguenay, Quebec, represent a $30 million investment to serve the growing lightweight structural sub-system market in North America, according to Dale Ewing, general manager for Automotive Structures North America, which is part of Alcan's Engineered Products groupThe new facility in Novi will be Alcan's first North American structural components production site. The Novi plant site also will serve as an administrative centre for sales, manufacturing, engineering and research-and-development for sheet products as well as structural components. Production here will begin within the next 90 days; the Saguenay plant will be operational later this year.The two plants are part of a long-term plan to bring Alcan's expertise in lightweight structural assemblies to North America. Both plants initially will produce advanced aluminium bumper-beam assemblies for vehicles made in North America by U.S.- and Europe-based automakers. The new plants will have the flexibility to produce various structural sub-systems such as instrument-panel supports, engine cradles and sub-frames, as well as bumper systems."Locating this first plant in Novi places us conveniently close to our original equipment manufacturer customers in the Detroit area so that we can provide our expertise in product development and assist them with component design," Ewing notes. "Placing our second plant in Quebec allows us to be close to the resources and manufacturing expertise that Alcan has in the Saguenay region. Together, the two facilities provide a strong and responsive supply base for our customers."Alcan Inc. is a multinational, market-driven company and a global provider of aluminium and packaging, as well as aluminium recycling. Alcan employs 88,000 and has operating facilities in 63 countries.Visit Alcan Inc.: www.alcan.com"