Wise Metals Group to widen aluminium can stock capability

Wise Metals Groups is adding increased width to its aluminium can stock capabilities as part of its next step in a program to further diversify industry product offerings, it said Thursday.

Wise will extend the width of Wise Alloys can stock to 72 inches from 60 inches by the end of 2008. it said in a statement. Company officials said widening the rolling surface of the cold rolling equipment will produce a 72-inch aluminium sheet that will allow Wise's can sheet product to become also available to beverage can producers that use "14 and 15 out" extended-width cupping presses in their manufacturing process.

Wise Metals Group will invest about $20 million in the project, which will include widening of the cold mill and installation of a slitter and ancillary equipment, the company said. These capital improvements were made possible by $30 million in funding from the Retirement Systems of Alabama, company officials said.