Sapa Extrusions Adds 3,600 Ton Press To Cressona Facility

Sapa Extrusions (Cressona, PA) plans to install an advanced, large capacity extrusion press as an addition to the press line at its Cressona facility. The equipment will bring the number of presses operated by the Cressona plant to a total of eight.

The press is a 3,600 ton Ube direct extrusion press that extrudes 10 in diameter billets to produce profiles with up to 10 in circle size. It features Granco-Clark billet heating equipment, air and standing wave quench systems, Granco-Clark exit system with double pullers and the latest process control technology.

Richard A. Worst, Cressona plant manager, commented on the equipment investment. ?This press provides us a unique opportunity to diversify product capabilities and significantly reduce manufacturing costs with productivity gains from a modern press. It is well supported by our in-house facilities with upgraded equipment for casting, aging, fabrication and a new auto-pack line to make the investment pay off.?

The Ube press, which became available with the idling of Sapa Extrusions? Morris, IL plant, will be moved to the Cressona location. The installation is expected to cost $4 million, with startup projected for the third quarter of 2010. In addition to a $5 million upgrade just completed to its 5,700 ton press, the new installation signals Sapa?s long term commitment to continued capital investment.

Dennis J. Menzies, Cressona?s marketing director of industrial products noted the market opportunities that the Ube press offers. ?It will add mandrel capabilities for seamless tube production and bolster production of our small and intermediate size hollow shapes for distribution, transportation, industrial and consumer products. That positions us to better compete against regional extrusion companies and to take advantage of our nationwide freight network.?

Sapa Extrusions/Industrial Region operates five plants: Cressona, PA; Connersville, IN; Elkhart, IN; Kokomo, IN; and Spanish Fork, UT. It is recognized as a leading supplier to the distribution, industrial & consumer, automotive and mass transportation markets. As one of five regional units of Sapa Extrusions, it is part of the Sapa Group, the world?s largest aluminum profile manufacturer. Sapa is represented in Europe, Asia and North America with 16 plants in the U.S. and Canada.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Sapa Extrusions, 53 Pottsville Street, Cressona, PA 17929, 800-233-3165, Fax: 800-252-4646, www.sapagroup.com.