Century Aluminum (CENX) leads the list of top gainers so far today and is now at $5.43, up $1.39 (34.41%) on volume of 8,002,474 shares traded. Over the last 52 weeks the stock has ranged from a low of $1.04 to a high of $80.52. Century Aluminum stock has been showing support around $3.73 and resistance in the $4.31 range. Technical indicators for the stock are neutral and S&P does not currently have a STARS rating for CENX. If you are looking for a hedged play on CENX the stock seems like it could be a candidate for a September covered call above the 5 range. [ABR-Seven Summits Strategic Investments NewsBite]
http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com/articles/846576
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Alcoa Transportation Products Wins 2009 Automotive News PACE Award
CLEVELAND, Apr 22, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) Alcoa Transportation Products was awarded a 2009 Automotive News PACE Award. The prestigious award recognizes automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance.
Transportation Products was recognized for its Alcoa Vacuum Die Casting (AVDC) for Lightweight Door Assemblies developed as an integrated casting alloy, process and equipment "systems solution" which provides vehicle manufacturers within the passenger auto and commercial transportation market segments the opportunity to maximize weight savings (30-35%), consolidate parts (60-70% BOM/parts reduction) and reduce system costs of lightweight door systems.
The patented AVDC process integrates dimensionally stable high strength and high ductility casting alloys and large die part size capability to expand the lightweight options for door inner panels beyond multiple piece stamped aluminum or steel sheet stampings. The innovation has been utilized by leading auto manufacturers, including most recently with Nissan on its high performance GT-R sports sedan.
During his acceptance speech, Kevin Kramer, President - Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products stated, "We are honored to be recognized as a winner for this prestigious award. AVDC is our second win in the last three years and this is a big deal. The Automotive News PACE Award reinforces Alcoa's commitment that innovation is our past and our future."
The 15th annual PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award was presented by Automotive News, Ernst & Young LLP and the Transportation Research Center Inc. The competition was open to suppliers who contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks. The award is accepted around the world as the industry symbol of innovation. Alcoa Transportation Products was awarded in the Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment category following an extensive review by an independent panel of judges including a comprehensive written application and a site visit.
Alcoa most recently was awarded an Automotive News PACE award for Dura-Bright(R) technology for forged aluminum wheels in 2007. This latest win is Alcoa's second award in as many attempts. For complete details of the Automotive News PACE Award, visit www.automotivenews.com/pace.
About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including cast and forged aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright(R) and Dura-Flange(R) wheels and M-Series(TM) medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation 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 including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa(R) wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2284925/
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mg content in 380/A380 aluminium alloys changed
The North American Die Casting Association has revised specifications by increasing the magnesium content to 0.30% from 0.10% for aluminum alloys 380 and A380.
The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) has announced revised specifications increasing the magnesium content to 0.30% from 0.10% for aluminum alloys 380 and A380.
The increased level of magnesium will have a positive environmental effect by reducing the amount of chlorine used to control the magnesium level, while also slightly reducing the production cost for alloy producers.
Increased magnesium content in the alloy also improves the ability to machine cast parts.
"This change will provide significant environmental benefits while having no negative impact on properties or the ability of die casters to cast the alloys and a positive impact on the ability to machine alloys," said NADCA's president Daniel L Twarog.
"It will also make our standard consistent with those in some of the world's largest aluminum producing markets, which is an important consideration in today's global economy." Magnesium limits of 0.30% require approximately 40 to 50% less chlorine than alloys with 0.10% magnesium, depending upon the raw material being used.
Less chlorine, combined with less land-filling of magnesium chloride, could bring the cost of production down by one-quarter cent per pound.
While this is not a significant reduction in overall cost, it is an incremental step to lower costs for products made in the USA, improving domestic competitiveness with other countries.
Countries including Japan, China, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom have had higher magnesium limits on their aluminum alloys for years.
The change in the specification was approved by the responsible NADCA technical committee and is widely supported by NADCA members.
The association is now working with the Aluminum Association to get it changed in the AA/ANSI standard and will subsequently work to get it changed in the ASTM specification.
* About NADCA - based in Wheeling, Illinois, the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) represents the world's most effective die casters creating the world's best cast products.
Working with a North American die caster guarantees innovation, integrity, accessibility and reliability.
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/noi/noi100.html
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Alcoa posts quarterly loss on aluminum slump
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Aluminum producer Alcoa Inc (AA.N) reported a second consecutive quarterly loss on Tuesday, as metal prices and the autos industry slumped and global demand fell in the economic downturn.
In response to the tough times, Alcoa -- the first member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI to report -- has cut thousands of jobs, slashed its dividend, trimmed spending and raised $1.3 billion to help it through the slowdown.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we are in for a really nasty earnings season," said Keith Wirtz, president and chief investment officer of Fifth Third Asset Management. "Alcoa's second consecutive quarterly loss is testament to that. We are in the worse phase of this recession right now."
But on a conference call with Wall Street analysts, Alcoa Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld was more upbeat, despite weakness in demand from industries it supplies.
"In the U.S., we are seeing the first signs of markets stabilizing at lower levels," he said.
Auto industry demand is down 18 percent globally and is worse in the United States, he said, "but the U.S. residential (construction) market might see some signs of bottoming out."
But Kleinfeld repeated his forecast that global aluminum consumption will decline 7 percent this year, although he is hopeful government stimulus action will revive metal demand.
Alcoa's first-quarter net loss was $497 million, or 61 cents per share, compared with a profit of $303 million, or 37 cents, in the 2008 quarter, the Pittsburgh-based company said. The loss from continuing operations was 59 cents per share.
Revenue fell 36 percent to $4.1 billion from $6.5 billion a year earlier after excluding divested businesses.
According to Reuters Estimates, the company actually lost 60 cents per share, excluding a write-off and gain from two transactions in the quarter. That missed analysts' estimate for a loss of 55 cents, Reuters Estimates said.
TRIMMING THEIR SAILS
Kleinfeld said in a press statement the steps the company has taken so far to cut costs should significantly improve its profitability and cash flow in 2009 and beyond.
"We also see both near-term and long-term catalysts that should improve the prospects for the aluminum industry," he said. "Current stimulus programs that target infrastructure and energy efficiency will create a demand for ... aluminum.
But Alcoa expects second-quarter alumina production to drop slightly as it cuts refinery production to meet smelter demand. Alumina, refined from bauxite, is smelted into aluminum.
The company also sees continued end market weakness for its flat-rolled products in the aerospace, construction and global transportation sectors in the second quarter.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE53649Y20090408
In response to the tough times, Alcoa -- the first member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI to report -- has cut thousands of jobs, slashed its dividend, trimmed spending and raised $1.3 billion to help it through the slowdown.
"There's no doubt in my mind that we are in for a really nasty earnings season," said Keith Wirtz, president and chief investment officer of Fifth Third Asset Management. "Alcoa's second consecutive quarterly loss is testament to that. We are in the worse phase of this recession right now."
But on a conference call with Wall Street analysts, Alcoa Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld was more upbeat, despite weakness in demand from industries it supplies.
"In the U.S., we are seeing the first signs of markets stabilizing at lower levels," he said.
Auto industry demand is down 18 percent globally and is worse in the United States, he said, "but the U.S. residential (construction) market might see some signs of bottoming out."
But Kleinfeld repeated his forecast that global aluminum consumption will decline 7 percent this year, although he is hopeful government stimulus action will revive metal demand.
Alcoa's first-quarter net loss was $497 million, or 61 cents per share, compared with a profit of $303 million, or 37 cents, in the 2008 quarter, the Pittsburgh-based company said. The loss from continuing operations was 59 cents per share.
Revenue fell 36 percent to $4.1 billion from $6.5 billion a year earlier after excluding divested businesses.
According to Reuters Estimates, the company actually lost 60 cents per share, excluding a write-off and gain from two transactions in the quarter. That missed analysts' estimate for a loss of 55 cents, Reuters Estimates said.
TRIMMING THEIR SAILS
Kleinfeld said in a press statement the steps the company has taken so far to cut costs should significantly improve its profitability and cash flow in 2009 and beyond.
"We also see both near-term and long-term catalysts that should improve the prospects for the aluminum industry," he said. "Current stimulus programs that target infrastructure and energy efficiency will create a demand for ... aluminum.
But Alcoa expects second-quarter alumina production to drop slightly as it cuts refinery production to meet smelter demand. Alumina, refined from bauxite, is smelted into aluminum.
The company also sees continued end market weakness for its flat-rolled products in the aerospace, construction and global transportation sectors in the second quarter.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE53649Y20090408
Friday, April 3, 2009
Martin introduce carriage house doors in aluminum
Martin carriage house doors in aluminum offer almost all of the features of wood, without any of the heavy maintenance or the safety liabilities.
The aluminum doors feature Martin's patented FingerShield joint design as well as over 30 safety and quality items that are standard with each Martin Door.
"This door is the best in its class.
In fact, the Carriage House Collection Aluminum Doors are in a class all their own," David Martin, chairman of MDM, said of the door.
The doors will come in over 70 powder coat colors and include 1/4" thick antique hinges and handles in black or silver.
The doors are only available with a powder coat finish.
The door is almost maintenance free, according to Martin, because of the aluminum and powder coating.
The door comes with a lifetime warranty with few limitations.
Even the door's hardware lasts long on the super strong door because of its lightweight aluminum, according to Martin.
The door features a true 3-D design, he added.
The benefits of the new carriage house look to traditional wood doors are obvious.
"Experience has shown that wood warps, cracks and splits," Martin said.
"Wood has a short warranty and does not last long.
Steel also does not last as long as aluminum.
Hardware usually wears out faster on heavier doors".
The new aluminum door is also environmentally friendly, because it offers the charm and appeal of a carriage house look, without cutting down any trees.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/amw/amw100.html
The aluminum doors feature Martin's patented FingerShield joint design as well as over 30 safety and quality items that are standard with each Martin Door.
"This door is the best in its class.
In fact, the Carriage House Collection Aluminum Doors are in a class all their own," David Martin, chairman of MDM, said of the door.
The doors will come in over 70 powder coat colors and include 1/4" thick antique hinges and handles in black or silver.
The doors are only available with a powder coat finish.
The door is almost maintenance free, according to Martin, because of the aluminum and powder coating.
The door comes with a lifetime warranty with few limitations.
Even the door's hardware lasts long on the super strong door because of its lightweight aluminum, according to Martin.
The door features a true 3-D design, he added.
The benefits of the new carriage house look to traditional wood doors are obvious.
"Experience has shown that wood warps, cracks and splits," Martin said.
"Wood has a short warranty and does not last long.
Steel also does not last as long as aluminum.
Hardware usually wears out faster on heavier doors".
The new aluminum door is also environmentally friendly, because it offers the charm and appeal of a carriage house look, without cutting down any trees.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/amw/amw100.html
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Aluminum recycling furnace dust collection system
An aluminum can recycling plant turned to Ceco Environmental for a new furnace dust collector system using Kirk and Blum ducts, producing a 5-10% productivity improvement and cleaner plant air
Dust collection from melt and holding furnaces had been an issue for a major beverage can recycling plant.
But the air inside the facility is now crystal clear after the installation of a Ceco-aire Fabric Dust Collector System from Ceco Environmental, a leader in large-scale dust and mist collection systems.
The 176,000 ACFM system with four-module baghouse was designed, fabricated and installed as a turnkey project by the Kirk and Blum and Ceco Filters units of Ceco Environmental, in only four months.
The new system comfortably meets the required performance standard, 4 milligrams per cubic meter of plant air.
The mid south recycling facility is the world's largest dedicated used beverage can (UBC) recycling operation.
The plant will melt 14 billion UBCs, or close to 200,000 tons this year, representing almost 25 percent of the total UBCs recycled annually in the USA.
The UBCs form the melt stock for over 250,000 tons of aluminum ingots the plant will cast this year, most of it shipped to a nearby mill co-owned by the customer, to be rolled again into canstock for beer and soft drinks.
The 500,000 sq ft facility was built in 1989 with a capacity of 120,000 tons of ingot, and expansions, the most recent in 2001, have more than doubled that output.
Despite the expansions, however, the original dust collection system with two baghouses, installed when the plant opened, had not been upgraded, according to their engineering and maintenance manager: "Our existing collection system was overmatched for dust collection at the main doors and charge wells on our four melt furnaces and two holding furnaces," he explained.
Dust originates after the UBCs are shredded and processed to remove paint and lacquer.
The shredded metal, heated to well above 200F.
from the processing, is then charged into the 100-ton capacity melt furnaces, but some remaining paint and lacquer generates ash, oxide and particulates.
"That's where our dust problem originated", he confirmed.
In addition, air pollution codes required no control measures for the furnace stacks, though some opacity at the stacks was visible.
"We felt the opacity was unacceptable from an environmental standpoint, so we decided to take in stack emissions while we were upgrading the furnace collection system".
Their requirements for the system, developed by an engineering consulting firm, included extracting a volume of 156,000 ACFM at 360F, the installation of four furnace hoods, and connecting the stack emissions into the system.
And all to be done on an accelerated construction schedule.
TIGHT TIMESCALE.
The biggest challenge facing Kirk and Blum was a very tight four-month timeframe for design, fabrication and installation, said Fred Pergram, sales engineer at the Kirk and Blum Lexington plant: "Annual furnace maintenance was scheduled for the two weeks before Christmas, so that was the only window we had to get the system tied-in, because for the rest of the year the plant runs 24/7.
We had to have the baghouse in place and ready to connect during that two week span.
Coordinating the installation also was a delicate issue, because three other contractors were working in the plant with cranes and lifts at the same time we were," Pergram explained.
Ceco Filters and Kirk and Blum were chosen for the project, the engineering and maintenance manager said, because they were the only ones that could complete the system in the short timeframe.
"When we put this out for bid with four companies, it was a case of 'can anybody meet this schedule?' The other bidders told us they couldn't have a system installed before February.
Kirk and Blum showed a lot of flexibility getting this project done".
The four module baghouse with a 36' x 100' footprint, the largest ever fabricated at the Kirk and Blum Lexington plant, is designed with more than 2,500 Arimid fiber filter bags and is insulated with 3'' of mineral wool to prevent condensation on the inside walls.
In the design phase, Ceco Filters suggested that the system volume could be raised to 176,000 ACFM, and run cooler at 260F, with the addition of a dilution air damper, allowing less expensive polyester filter bags to be used.
"The customer said to raise it to 176,000 ACFM but keep the 360F as specified, so instead we turned to Arimid fiber filter bags, which worked out well," said Dale Arvin, Ceco Filters manager specialising in dry fabric filters: "The system is running cool.
The dilution damper is closed so it's running at around 150F to 160F right now".
Arvin explained that the airstream, dust-laden from the furnaces, enters the baghouse modules through a baffled inlet.
The baffle causes heavier particles to fall into the hopper while the lighter particles are evenly distributed through the collector.
As the air passes through the filter bags, the dust is collected on the outside while the clean air travels up through the inside of the bags to the clean air plenum before exiting the collector.
When the filter bags are pulsed with compressed air, the dust falls into a screw conveyor, is carried to rotary discharge valves and falls into collection bags.
The dust generated by two melt furnaces and both holding furnaces is collected in the new baghouse while the other two melt furnaces are each collected in one of the older baghouses.
"The amount of dust being collected from the furnaces is much higher than the customer had anticipated," Arvin continued: "The bags under the dust collector are filling up in only a couple of days".
That's fine with the engineering and maintenance manager, who said, "One of the best sights I see at this plant are those full collection bags going to the dumpster twice a week".
Filter replacement will not be required for three years and the change-over will require about two days for all four modules, Arvin said.
The individual modules can be isolated for filter replacement so the entire system need not be shut down.
The system uses 120 linear feet of 3/16'' mild steel ductwork, fabricated at Kirk and Blum in Lexington, which is comprised of 84'' diameter round duct from all collection points to the baghouse and 52.75'' x 80.625'' square duct from baghouse to the stack.
All the preparatory work for the baghouse, including excavation, concrete, electrical systems, piping, air compression systems and insulation, was carried out by Kirk and Blum as part of the total turnkey package, Pergram said.
The two furnace hoods in use since the plant opened were replaced by four new hoods, designed jointly by the customer and Kirk and Blum, and installed by the customer's personnel.
Before the upgrade, only one of the hoods could be used at a time, which meant only one furnace at a time could be cleaned and skimmed.
"The new installation allows them to do both simultaneously, basically doubling the volume of the hoods, and has resulted in a five to 10 percent productivity improvement," Pergram noted.
Though Kirk and Blum did not install the original dust collector system in this plant, the company has enjoyed a long relationship with the facility, performing repair and maintenance projects since the facility was built.
"This is an old and valued customer," Pergram said, "and we were glad we had the opportunity to carry out a project of this size for them, to show them how quickly we can get the job done".
The customer's reaction to the system? "We're very pleased with it.
http://www.processingtalk.com/news/kir/kir101.html
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Martin introduce carriage house doors in aluminum
Martin carriage house doors in aluminum offer almost all of the features of wood, without any of the heavy maintenance or the safety liabilities.
The aluminum doors feature Martin's patented FingerShield joint design as well as over 30 safety and quality items that are standard with each Martin Door.
"This door is the best in its class.
In fact, the Carriage House Collection Aluminum Doors are in a class all their own," David Martin, chairman of MDM, said of the door.
The doors will come in over 70 powder coat colors and include 1/4" thick antique hinges and handles in black or silver.
The doors are only available with a powder coat finish.
The door is almost maintenance free, according to Martin, because of the aluminum and powder coating.
The door comes with a lifetime warranty with few limitations.
Even the door's hardware lasts long on the super strong door because of its lightweight aluminum, according to Martin.
The door features a true 3-D design, he added.
The benefits of the new carriage house look to traditional wood doors are obvious.
"Experience has shown that wood warps, cracks and splits," Martin said.
"Wood has a short warranty and does not last long.
Steel also does not last as long as aluminum.
Hardware usually wears out faster on heavier doors".
The new aluminum door is also environmentally friendly, because it offers the charm and appeal of a carriage house look, without cutting down any trees.
See the website for more details.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/amw/amw100.html
The aluminum doors feature Martin's patented FingerShield joint design as well as over 30 safety and quality items that are standard with each Martin Door.
"This door is the best in its class.
In fact, the Carriage House Collection Aluminum Doors are in a class all their own," David Martin, chairman of MDM, said of the door.
The doors will come in over 70 powder coat colors and include 1/4" thick antique hinges and handles in black or silver.
The doors are only available with a powder coat finish.
The door is almost maintenance free, according to Martin, because of the aluminum and powder coating.
The door comes with a lifetime warranty with few limitations.
Even the door's hardware lasts long on the super strong door because of its lightweight aluminum, according to Martin.
The door features a true 3-D design, he added.
The benefits of the new carriage house look to traditional wood doors are obvious.
"Experience has shown that wood warps, cracks and splits," Martin said.
"Wood has a short warranty and does not last long.
Steel also does not last as long as aluminum.
Hardware usually wears out faster on heavier doors".
The new aluminum door is also environmentally friendly, because it offers the charm and appeal of a carriage house look, without cutting down any trees.
See the website for more details.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/amw/amw100.html
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