Hydro Extrusions is investing NOK 67 million (EUR 6 million) in upgrading the equipment, buildings, and infrastructure at its aluminum extrusion plant in Lucé, France.
“The Lucé plant has the people and the potential to become an industrial leader in the French landscape,” said Roland Van der Aa, vice president France for Hydro’s Extrusion Europe business unit. “The investment is going to improve the site’s ability to reach its potential.”
The Lucé plant is one of Hydro’s four extrusion plants in France. The site operates two extrusion presses and an anodizing facility. It has been providing customers with custom-made and standard aluminum profiles since it started production in 1959. The company also produces 62,000 tonnes per year of recycled aluminum extrusion ingot. The plant serves various industries, such as building and construction, automotive and transportation.
The new investment at the plant will primarily be focused on technical on-site refurbishments. These will include upgrades and/or replacement of electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, hydraulic equipment, and buildings and infrastructure.
Hydro employs about 160 people in Lucé, and the company plans to invest in a new employee development program at the site. “We are also going to improve and accelerate our employee training program, for example, in maintenance and process control,” said Van der Aa.
Hydro Extrusions is the largest business area in Hydro, with around 100 production sites in 40 countries and employing 21,000 people. Through its combination of local expertise, global network, and unmatched R&D capabilities, the extrusion business can offer everything from standard profiles to advanced development and manufacturing for most industries. It is able to deliver tailored aluminum components and solutions to all industries, from automotive and mass transportation to building and construction, electronics, offshore and maritime. The business area serves more than 30,000 customers globally.