HAWESVILLE, KY — Alcoa today announced it will close its Hawesville, Ky., automotive casting facility by the end of 2005. The plant closing, which will impact 158 people, is a result of excess capacity in Alcoa’s automotive castings manufacturing system. Costs for the closing will total approximately $45 to $50 million pre-tax, the majority of which will be non-cash impairment charges and will impact second quarter earnings.

According to Allen Zwierzchowski, president of Alcoa Automotive Castings, the plant is currently operating at less than 20 percent of its capacity. “With certain program contracts winding down, the plant from a business perspective is no longer viable,” said Zwierzchowski.

Alcoa plans to sell the facility and will work with the community to attract buyers that could utilize the plant and lessen the impact of the closing.

For more information about Alcoa, go to: www.alcoa.com.

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