Alcoa Wins Contract to Supply Plastic Closures to The Kroger Company

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2005--Alcoa announced today that its Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc. (CSI) business was awarded a multi-year contract from The Kroger Company, one of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S., to supply 100% of its plastics closures requirements for Kroger-brand bottled water and soft drinks. Alcoa CSI has already begun shipping its patented tamper-evident 28mm Wing-Lok(R), 38mm Double-Lok(R), and 26mm Aqua-Lok(R) closures to Kroger manufacturing plants in Irving, Texas; Bluefield, Va.; and Springdale, Ohio.

"We are pleased to be selected as the closure systems provider for Kroger. Alcoa CSI offered a selling solution that emphasized operational efficiencies for Kroger's manufacturing plants. We look forward to building a strong and rewarding partnership together," said Donna Woods, national account manager for Alcoa CSI.

Alcoa CSI is recognized as a world leader of closures and closure application systems. It provides quality closure and capping equipment products, as well as technical service and support to all key markets. Major markets include carbonated soft drinks, food, juice and isotonic, bottled water, beer, dairy, liquor, personal care, and automotive fluids. In its 29 locations and offices worldwide, Alcoa CSI employs nearly 6,000 people. Alcoa CSI is guided by principles of customer satisfaction and total quality manufacturing -- all tied to specific customer and consumer needs.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 131,000 employees in 43 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com

Alcoa Closure Systems International
Jane A. Haywood-Rollins, 317-390-5082