Alcoa Chairman Alain Belda Opens National Manufacturing Week and Aluminum Association Spring Meeting

PITTSBURGH--March 7, 2005--Alcoa Chairman Alain Belda presented the keynote address today to 25,000 manufacturing executives from 70 countries attending National Manufacturing Week in Chicago and the U.S. Aluminum Association's Spring meeting. Mr. Belda's remarks focused on the global trends shaping Alcoa and the aluminum industry's commercial landscape and the opportunities they create in the coming decades.

Held March 7-10, National Manufacturing Week is the only U.S. trade show covering the complete manufacturing process.

For a copy of Mr. Belda's remarks, visit http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/news/nmw.asp

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, 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 to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, 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 131,000 employees in 43 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com