Alcoa Signs Contract with Airbus for High-Tech, Multi-Material Fastening Systems

Alcoa’s Largest-Ever Fastener Deal with Airbus

  • Alcoa will supply primarily titanium, steel and nickel-based superalloy fastening systems for every Airbus platform
  • Deal strengthens Alcoa’s position on new, high-growth platforms including the A350 XWB and A320neo, and reinforces position on existing aircraft, such as the A330
  • Alcoa supplying several proprietary products developed specifically for Airbus, produced at 14 of Alcoa’s global manufacturing facilities

Alcoa has signed a contract with Airbus for high-tech, multi-material aerospace fastening systems. Alcoa's fasteners fly on every Airbus platform including new, high-growth platforms such as the A350 XWB, shown here. (Photo: Business Wire)

NEW YORK & TORRANCE, Calif.--()--Lightweight metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) has signed an approximately $1 billion contract with Airbus for high-tech, multi-material aerospace fastening systems. The deal is Alcoa’s largest fastener contract ever with the aircraft manufacturer. Alcoa’s fasteners fly on every Airbus platform.

“Our growing aerospace capabilities, technology strength and global, first-rate customer service continue to strengthen Alcoa’s decades-long partnership with Airbus,” said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. “Alcoa is proud to partner with Airbus to provide breakthrough technologies for some of the most advanced aircraft in the world.”

Alcoa’s fasteners will be used to assemble some of Airbus’s latest high-growth airplanes, including the A350 XWB, Airbus’ newest commercial airplane, and the A320neo. In addition, Airbus will use Alcoa’s fastening systems for longer-running platforms including the A330.

As part of this agreement, Alcoa will supply advanced fastening systems, such as those that enhance the assembly of aircraft panels and engine pylons on newer airplanes with sophisticated design features. Alcoa’s fasteners are made using a variety of materials including stainless steel, titanium and nickel-based superalloys, which improve fatigue life, enable lightning strike protection, and improve wear and reusability on conventional and composite aircraft. Alcoa will produce these fastening systems at 14 of its global manufacturing facilities.

Alcoa Aerospace

Alcoa has been growing its multi-material aerospace business to capture growth in the global aerospace market in support of its broader transformation, and has become a leader in jet engine components and aircraft structures. Alcoa acquired global titanium leader RTI International Metals, aerospace components manufacturer TITAL and global jet engine parts leader Firth Rixson. Alcoa also has grown organically. It opened the world’s largest aluminum-lithium facility in Lafayette, Indiana, launched expansions to increase jet engine parts production in La Porte, Indiana and Hampton, Virginia, began installation of advanced aerospace plate manufacturing capabilities in Davenport, Iowa, announced plans to double its coatings capabilities for jet engine components in Whitehall, Michigan and announced an investment in technology that strengthens the metallic structures of traditional and additive manufactured parts, also in Whitehall, Michigan.

About Alcoa

A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our more than 60,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.

About Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings

Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings, a business unit of Alcoa, is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of fastening systems and rings, including specialty fasteners, fluid fittings, assembly components, installation systems, and seamless rings for aerospace and industrial applications. Headquartered in Torrance, California, the company has over 8,700 employees at 39 manufacturing and distribution/logistics locations in 13 countries. For more information, visit afsr.alcoa.com.

Contacts

Alcoa
Investors
Nahla Azmy, 212-836-2674
Nahla.Azmy@alcoa.com
or
Media
Monica Orbe, 212-836-2632
Monica.Orbe@alcoa.com

Contacts

Alcoa
Investors
Nahla Azmy, 212-836-2674
Nahla.Azmy@alcoa.com
or
Media
Monica Orbe, 212-836-2632
Monica.Orbe@alcoa.com