Hydro plans to install a 4,500-ton 10” aluminum press line at its Cressona, Pennsylvania location to serve the traditional automotive and distribution segments and also installing a 7,000-ton dual container 12”/14” press line in the West region to serve the electric vehicle, transportation and commercial building and construction segments.

“We are very excited about Hydro’s continued investments in North America,” said Jack Pell, Vice President of Automotive Business Development for Hydro Extrusion North America. “This new equipment merges state-of-the-art billet heating and quench capabilities with larger billet diameters and enables us to produce larger extruded aluminum shapes with thinner walls from stronger alloys – the ‘holy grail’ for our automotive customers.”

Hydro expects these presses to be operational by 2020. The equipment will utilize cutting-edge extrusion technology to achieve improved productivity and enable Hydro to serve customers in the expanding North American market. In addition, Hydro has plans to significantly invest in North America over the next two years on new fabrication equipment as well as upgrades to existing cast houses, extrusion presses, anodizing and paint lines.

Mike Stier, Hydro’s V.P. of Strategy & Innovation in North America, notes that “These investments are a clear sign to the market that we are committed to maintaining and growing our position as the industry leader with unmatched value-added services and press capabilities. We are positioning ourselves to serve our customers in the best way possible now and in the future.”