Alcoa announced today the completion and restart of its redesigned
50,000-ton forging press at the company's Cleveland Works. A $100
million dollar investment that Alcoa announced in 2009, the new press
strengthens Alcoa's position as the preeminent supplier of large
aluminum, titanium, nickel and steel forgings to the aerospace, defense,
energy and industrial markets.
Alcoa's newly designed 50,000-ton forging press in Cleveland is up and running. The giant press strengthens Alcoa's position as a preeminent supplier of large aluminum, titanium, nickel and steel forgings to the aerospace, defense and other markets. (Photo: Business Wire)
"Combining our advanced alloy and manufacturing process technology with
our state-of-the-art 50,000 ton press capabilities, we will be
unmatched," said Eric Roegner, president, Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions,
at a special celebration shared with federal, state and local
legislators, community and industrial leaders, and employees. "Our
unique press offers the ability for Cleveland Works to double its
capacity to serve our customers in the commercial and defense aerospace
markets as well as industrial and energy markets."
The multi-million dollar investment involved the complete redesign and
modernization of the 50,000-ton press, a 92-foot structure – with five
stories above and seven below the ground – that began production in 1955.
"As one of only five existing heavy closed die forging presses in the
United States, this national historic engineering landmark is
strategically important to our nation's defense and Alcoa's commercial
competitiveness," said Roegner. The press was originally installed as
part of the Air Force Heavy Press program following World War II and has
been used to build parts for nearly every military aircraft, helicopter,
and tracked and combat vehicles from the 1950s through present day.
"Our iconic press played an integral role in Alcoa's rich history and
will be an equally key component to our company's future growth and
success," Roegner said.