SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Kaiser Aluminum says it will spend $150 million over the next five years to make its World War II-era factory in Spokane County more competitive.
The Spokesman-Review reports (https://bit.ly/1RtNRj1 ) that the Trentwood plant makes high-end aluminum alloys used by the aerospace industry, among other manufacturing applications. More than 900 people work there.
A couple U.S. companies make similar products, as do businesses in Europe, South Africa and Russia.
Kaiser officials say they expect demand for the products to grow but also anticipate more competition. They plan to buy new equipment and revamp production processes at the Trentwood factory.
Scott Endres, Kaiser's vice president of flat rolled products, calls the move "a big vote of confidence for the facility."
The president of the local United Steelworkers chapter also praised the decision.
___
Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com