Governor Applauds Alcan's Decision To Invest $27 Million In Ravenswood Operations

Governor Applauds Alcan's Decision To Invest $27 Million In Ravenswood Operations

Gov. Joe Manchin today joined Michel Jacques, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Engineered Products, to announce the global aluminum industry leader will invest $27 million to significantly increase plate production capacity at the company's Jackson County operations.

Alcan's Ravenswood operation - formerly known as Pechiney Rolled Products - is one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in the world and produces high-quality aluminum plate, coil and sheet products primarily for the aerospace, aeronautical and transportation industries.

This past August, Governor Manchin worked aggressively to bring union and management back to the negotiating table after members of United Steelworkers of America (U.S.W.A.) Local #5668 initially rejected a new five-year contract offer from the company. During the course of discussions leading up to the initial contract vote by the local union, Mr. Jacques informed Governor Manchin that Alcan would be prepared to make some significant investments to improve the long-term viability of the Ravenswood plant if workers approved a new contract. On Sept. 2, U.S.W.A. Local #5668 members approved the new contract offer by a 470-305 margin.

"In the 102 days since workers at the Ravenswood plant approved a new five-year labor agreement, a significant amount of positive progress has occurred to preserve more than 1,700 good-paying jobs with health care benefits at both Alcan's Ravenswood facility and Century Aluminum, the company that provides raw product to Alcan's rolled products operations," the governor said. "I again thank the members of the local union and the management of Alcan for working together to ensure the long-term viability of this important West Virginia employer. This announcement shows the high level of confidence that Alcan has in the more than 1,000 employees at its Ravenswood facility, and further strengthens the foundation from which Alcan can continue to expand its West Virginia operations."

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