Jackson Plant to Expand; Alcan to Increase Production, Jobs
By Jennifer Ginsberg
jginsberg@wvgazette.com
Alcan Rolled Products-Ravenswood announced Tuesday it will spend $27 million to increase its aluminum plate making capacity after mid- 2006.
The increased production will mean more jobs, said Michel Jacques, president and chief executive officer of Alcan Engineered Products. The company will hire more operators during the first quarter of the year, he said.
He and other company officials declined to say how many new jobs might come from the increased capacity.
"As we look at this expansion, we’ll assess where we are in the marketplace and act accordingly," said James Guillow, the plant’s vice president of human resources.
About 1,100 people work at the 50-year-old plant, which is Jackson County’s largest employer. The plant has added 150 employees in the past year, Guillow said.
The money will be used to bring in new equipment for workers to handle increased orders from the company’s aerospace customers. Workers at the facility supply the materials for wings and other structural airplane components.
The company landed a five-year contract with Boeing Co. at the end of October. Ravenswood workers will make lightweight aluminum products mainly for the company’s 737 and 777 commercial planes. The company also has contracts with most major airplane manufacturers, including Airbus, Jacques said.
Workers at the plant produce aluminum plates, coils and sheet products for the aerospace, aeronautical and transportation industries.
Tuesday’s announcement ensures that the plant has the confidence from its parent company, the ability to compete in the marketplace and the legs to be in Ravenswood for a long time, said Gov. Joe Manchin.
Manchin spoke with Jacques in August when Ravenswood employees were voting on a new contract. At the time, Jacques told Manchin that if workers approved the contract, the company would "be prepared to make some significant investments to improve the long- term viability of the plant."
Members of United Steelworkers union were skeptical about Alcan’s level of commitment to the plant’s future. Since August, the company has changed the plant’s name from Pechiney Rolled Products.
"They have named it Alcan now. With the money coming in and investment being made, I think this is a positive thing," said Dave Patrick, president of United Steelworkers Local 5668.
Jacques said he thought the plant has made good progress since Alcan, Inc. bought it in 2003.
"This is only the beginning," he said. "I hope this isn’t the last investment in Ravenswood."
To contact staff writer Jennifer Ginsberg, use e-mail or call 348- 5195.