CLEVELAND (March 5, 2008) — Alcoa Inc. has combined its wheel products business with its auto and truck structures business to form a new business unit, Wheel and Transportation Products.
Kevin Kramer, 48, currently president of Alcoa Wheel Products, will become the new unit's president. The Cleveland-based company said the change was made to capture adjacent growth opportunities and strengthen Alcoa's overall ground transportation portfolio.
The new business unit will have its headquarters in Cleveland and will supply the commercial vehicle, automotive and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche products such as Dura-Bright and Dura-Flange wheels and M-Series medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets.
Mr. Kramer said the combination of the two businesses will allow Alcoa to improve its portfolio in the markets it serves while the company's “focus will continue to be on global growth, innovation and manufacturing excellence.”
The new business unit will consist of three divisions: Transportation Products (formerly Auto and Truck Structure); Commercial Vehicle Wheels; and Automotive Wheels.
The Wheel and Transportation Products business unit employ 2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.