Alcoa's AFL Automotive Opens Honduras Operation

PITTSBURGH--Oct. 2, 20031, 2003--Alcoa today announced its Alcoa Fujikura Ltd., Automotive unit (AFL Automotive) has opened an operation in ZIP El Porvenir (just outside El Progreso), Honduras to serve its automotive wire and tubing customers in the Caribbean basin.

The operations, Alcoa's first in the country, were formally opened today in a ceremony attended by President Ricardo Maduro of Honduras and officials from AFL Automotive, including John R. Jenkins, Vice President Specialty Products Group. The new operations will manufacture and assemble electrical distribution systems for various automotive customers.

AFL Automotive expects that, within 15 months, its operations in Honduras will employ approximately 500 hourly, technical, administrative and management associates.

"AFL Automotive is opening in Honduras to better serve our customers," said Jenkins. "In recent years, the countries of the Caribbean basin have successfully encouraged investment from world-class firms serving the automotive market. It is important that we continue to be close to our customers.

"Our first employees will include people with various specialized skills, including engineering, environmental management, safety, administration, management, mechanical/electrical maintenance, machine operators, and material handling," said Jenkins. "As we begin our operations in Honduras, we do so with the commitment to maintaining our leadership position in the areas of environmental, health, and safety best practices."

AFL Automotive noted the cooperation and excellent support it has received from all areas of the Honduran community. "Without exception, the information, openness, and willingness to work with AFL Automotive were critical to our decision to begin operations here," added Jenkins.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses as a single solution to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) aluminum foil, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 127,000 employees in 41 countries. For more information go to www.alcoa.com