MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wise Metals Group announced today a $25 million expansion to its Alabama Reclamation Operation in Muscle Shoals, a move that will add 43 new employees and further expand the capabilities at the largest and most efficient recycling facility in the world. The announcement was made by Wise Chairman and CEO David D’Addario and Chief Operating Officer Wes Oberholzer.
“Our latest expansion will begin immediately and will be in operation early in 2012,” said Oberholzer. “Our plans are to create a safe, efficient and potentially expandable melting operation which will allow our company to continue on its growth track. This expansion builds on the production capabilities we already have at Alabama Reclamation and makes them even more efficient.”
“This expansion will recycle scrap aluminum, which saves 95% of the energy it requires to create primary aluminum,” said Oberholzer. “All of the material recycled at Alabama Reclamation is shipped directly to the adjacent Cast House where the process of manufacturing can sheet begins.”
Recently, Wise recapitalized, which allowed for the acquisition of new equipment and further operational streamlining. The Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) is a significant investor in Wise, and partnered to make the recapitalization possible. That move followed on the heels of a major contract to provide aluminum can sheet to Anheuser-Busch, and included previous upgrades to slitting and other manufacturing equipment.
“We are delighted to be able to make this announcement, and are grateful for the help of Dr. David Bronner and his staff,” said David D’Addario, Wise’s Chairman and CEO. “RSA’s on-going support positions Wise to continue efficiency improvements and environmental excellence.”
“We had a choice of several locations around the southeast for this facility,” D’Addario added. “When we evaluated the economics available in the Shoals, coupled with the fact that we could create jobs here in Alabama, the decision was easy,” D’Addario said. “Our 1000+ employees continue to excel at improving the safety, quality, and efficiency of our operations that now compete on a worldwide stage in the can sheet market. The strong work ethic in the Shoals, in cooperation with our partners at RSA, positions us for greater opportunities,” stated Joe Pampinto, Senior Vice President/Plant Manager of Wise Alloys Operations.
The expansion will include the addition of a melting furnace, a delaquering kiln, shredders, material cleaning equipment and environmental systems. Work is expected to begin in early February and be completed in early 2012.