Alcoa has officially opened its expanded wheels manufacturing plant in Hungary. The larger facility doubles Alcoa's capacity to produce its Dura-Bright EVO surface-treated wheels compared to 2014 production levels. The expansion will enable Alcoa to meet growing European demand for its lightweight, durable, low-maintenance aluminium truck wheels.
"This expansion positions Alcoa to capture increasing demand for our innovative aluminium truck wheels in Europe, including our easiest-to-clean wheels that look new longer, reduce maintenance costs, and increase payload and fuel efficiency," said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.
"Our investments in forged aluminium truck wheels support Alcoa's broader strategy to build out our value-add businesses and gain profitable share in growing downstream markets. Sales of aluminium truck wheels are expected to increase from 30 percent of global sales in 2010 to 50 percent in 2018."
Construction of the US$13 million (HUF 2.8 Billion) expansion was completed on schedule and will create 35 new permanent jobs in Hungary once the facility reaches full capacity. Demonstrating its support for the project, the Hungarian Government agreed to contribute US$4.4 million (HUF 1 billion) through its Regional Operative Program, a government-led economic development initiative.
"Alcoa has enjoyed a long and very successful history in Hungary and we look forward to building on this positive track record with this expansion," said Dr. Béla Forgó, Country Manager of Alcoa Hungary. "In addition, today Alcoa launched a pilot project with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus system to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of our wheels for public transportation."
Under the pilot program with the regional Székesfehérvár city bus operator, a number of buses will be outfitted with Alcoa's wheels. Bus operators in other municipalities have realized up to five percent fuel savings after converting from steel wheels to Alcoa's forged aluminium wheels.
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