Alcan announces the planned closure of Rogerstone Foil Operations 2000/12/04

Uxbridge — British Alcan Aluminium Plc announced today that it plans to close its Foil plant in Rogerstone, Newport, South Wales by the end of June 2001, with a loss of 220 jobs. The closure decision has been forced by protracted severe market conditions, including strong competition from Continental Europe, Russia and China, a product mix dependent largely on unprofitable household foil and the continued high strength of the pound against European currencies. Despite actions to reduce the cost base, detailed evaluation has identified closure as essential to stem the unacceptable losses. Some products will be transferred to other plants in the Alcan network but the majority of current business will be discontinued. Alcan will communicate with customers individually to discuss any transitional arrangements. Full consultation with the recognised trade unions and, where appropriate, other employee representatives will commence immediately. The larger Rogerstone Sheet facility, which employs over 500 people on the same site will continue to operate and remains a key part of Alcan's Sheet Manufacturing System in Europe. The Sheet Plant will focus its ongoing development based on common alloy for stockists, foilstock and industrial product for end users. Targeted capital investments will continue to enhance the mill's quality, cost and service. Announcing the decision, Bill Morris, Vice President Foil Rolling & Technical Products added "The continued high level of losses due to the poor trading conditions have regrettably forced us to propose this action. We are making every effort to ensure that our staff are treated in a fair and appropriate manner". Alcan is a multinational, market-driven, US$12.4 billion organization and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. Alcan maintains a low-cost position in primary aluminum, has advanced aluminum fabrication facilities and has a $3 billion global flexible and specialty packaging business. Alcan employs 53,000 people and has operations in 37 countries. - End - Media Contacts: John Gardner 01895-213211

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