Sapa Industrial Extrusions Completes $7 mln Press Upgrade

Cressona, Pa., December 17, 2007 (company release) - Sapa Industrial Extrusions has completed a $7 million rebuilding and upgrade of press number nine at its Cressona, Pa. plant, the company announced.

The project took almost a year to complete and included complete disassembly of the entire press and replacement of all wearable components.

The equipment employs indirect extrusion technology with a 5,700-ton capacity and 16 inch cylinder size. The press and its peripheral systems are now rated to be in "as new" condition.

To improve reliability and control of temperature and operating speed, upgrades included significant investment in a new furnace, press control valves and programmable logic controls. The company also installed new equipment for consistent stretch control and improved handling systems to protect product finish.

"They (press enhancements) are part of our continuing investment to better serve our customers with increased efficiency, reliable hight quality and dependable delivery," said Rick Worst, plant manager at the Cressona facility.

Sapa Industrial Extrusions, part of of the world's largest aluminum profile company, is a prominent supplier of extruded aluminum products to distriubution, commercial transportation, automotive, defense and industrial and consumer markets.

Its principal plants in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Utah are supported by five additional Sapa plants and able to deliver anywhere in North America.