Airbus flies with Kaiser

Staff -- Purchasing, 12/8/2005

Kaiser Aluminum has signed a new long-term supply agreement for heavy-gauge aluminum plate to be used by Airbus in the production of its commercial jetliner aircraft. The multi-year agreement will significantly increase the amount of fabricated products produced at the Trentwood, Wash., rolling mill.

"Kaiser Aluminum has been a major supplier of high-quality aluminum sheet and light gauge plate to Airbus for years and this agreement further strengthens the long-term relationship between the two companies," says Jack A. Hockema, president and chief executive of the Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based aluminum firm. "The aerospace manufacturing industry has been experiencing significant growth with the continued increase in air traffic compounded by retirement of aging aircraft. Airbus, therefore, will have increased needs for high-quality aluminum sheet and plate."

Kaiser Aluminum recently announced a $75 million capital investment to expand its Trentwood facility including the addition of a state-of-the-art heavy-gauge stretcher, horizontal heat-treat furnaces, ultrasonic inspection system and other ancillary equipment. The expansion is slated to proceed over the next three years with full online capacity available in 2008.

The heavy-gauge contract is the second recent long-term contract awarded to Kaiser Aluminum by Airbus this year. In June, Airbus awarded Kaiser Aluminum a six-year agreement to provide heat treat aluminum sheet and light gauge plate to its aircraft operations.