BOWLING GREEN, Ky.,
Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Constellium N.V. (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) and UACJ
Corporation (UACJ) (5741:TSE) announced today the official opening
of their new manufacturing plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to supply aluminium
automotive body sheet to the North American automotive industry
under their joint venture, Constellium-UACJ ABS LLC.
The strategically-located 225,000 square foot facility will
house an initial capacity of 100,000 metric tons. It has secured
its metal supply with both partners' rolling mills. With
cutting-edge equipment and technologies, the facility expects to
offer a flat rolled product portfolio for a wide range of
applications including closure panels, as well as body structures.
The plant is currently in qualification phase, with ramp-up planned
over the next two years. As of today, the line is essentially
committed with orders from leading automotive OEMs in North America.
"Today's opening represents a significant step towards securing
our position as a leading player in the fast growing North American
automotive body sheet market," said Simon Laddychuk, Chief
Executive Officer of the joint venture. "Constellium and UACJ's
combined industrial legacy and best-in-class assets, as well as our
leading position in innovation with the opening of a new R&D
hub in Plymouth, MI, position the
joint venture to be the partner of choice for North American
automotive OEMs."
"The opening of the first North American automotive body sheet
finishing line with our partner UACJ, is an important milestone in
our goal to become a global leader in aluminium automotive
solutions," added Jean-Marc Germain,
Chief Executive Officer of Constellium. "As a one-stop shop,
Constellium is well-positioned to provide automotive OEMs with
innovative rolled and extruded products, which lighten vehicle
weight, while offering exceptional performance
characteristics."
"We are thrilled to be opening this plant at a time when the
aluminium automotive market in the US is extremely promising." said
Mitsuru Okada, Representative
Director & President of UACJ. "We are delighted to contribute
to the automotive customers in North
America not only with our automotive parts business, but
also with Constellium-UACJ's advanced and innovative products with
a state of the art continuous annealing and pretreatment line."
"Kentucky is committed to
remaining ahead of the curve as the automotive industry evolves,"
Gov. Matt Bevin said.
"Constellium-UACJ's commitment to supplying aluminium sheeting for
lighter-weight vehicles stands as a great example of how the
Commonwealth's auto industry is moving forward. Congratulations to
South Central Kentucky and Constellium-UACJ for establishing what
promises to be a very rewarding partnership."
The North American aluminium body sheet market is expanding
rapidly to respond to stringent automotive regulations calling for
major car weight reduction and fuel efficiency. As a growing number
of automotive OEMs integrate aluminium in their models, the use of
aluminium automotive body sheet in North
America increased from 70kt in 2012 to approximately 500kt
in 2015 and is forecasted to reach more than 1,000kt in 2020.
About Constellium
Constellium (NYSE and Euronext:
CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value
added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and
applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging.
Constellium generated €5.2 billion of revenue in 2015.
www.constellium.com
About UACJ
UACJ (5741:TSE) is an aluminum industry
leader in a competitive global market. We're striving to secure a
foothold in the global marketplace utilizing our global supply and
sales networks with hubs in Japan,
Thailand and the USA. UACJ has more than 70 group companies
throughout the world and boast the world's third largest aluminum
production capacity.
www.uacj.co.jp/english/
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements
contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward looking
statements" with respect to our business, results of operations and
financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning
future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking
statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to,
"believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately,"
"anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely,"
"will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative
of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and
uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are
more specific to our business and operations. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of
Constellium and Wise Metals to achieve expected synergies and the
timing thereof, Constellium's increased levels of indebtedness
which could limit Constellium's operating flexibility and
opportunities; the potential failure to retain key employees, the
loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships as a
result of the acquisition of Wise Metals; disruptions to business
operations; slower or lower than expected growth in the North
American market for Body-in-White aluminium rolled products, and
other risk factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in
our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and as described from time to time
in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the
achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or
all of which are not predictable or within our control.
Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the
forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We
undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statement as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130624/NY37453LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/constellium-and-uacj-announce-opening-of-their-joint-ventures-automotive-body-sheet-plant-in-bowling-green-kentucky-300327751.html
SOURCE Constellium