Alcoa announced today that its Kunshan, China, plant was named an "Environment, Health & Safety Example Company" by the Kunshan Huaqiao Economic Development Zone for its continuous focus on safety performance.
Kunshan was recognized for its safety management program, investment in safety-related systems, safety training and continual communication with the government on safety requirements and activities.
"We are proud that the local government acknowledged us as an EHS role model for Chinese local industry. We have been working diligently to fulfill our EHS commitments. This award inspires us to further strengthen our EHS efforts," said Mark Vrablec, President of Alcoa China Rolled Products. "This recognition is another demonstration of the importance of safety as an Alcoa Value and the company's commitment to China as well as Kunshan's commitment to be the best company in the communities where we operate."
The Kunshan Huaqiao Economic Development Zone (EDZ) is an approved provincial level EDZ located at the junction of Shanghai and Suzhou. It concentrates on the development of four industries: service outsourcing, manufacturing, financial institutions and logistics and purchasing centers.
Alcoa's Kunshan plant was established in 2006 and produces heat exchanger materials for automotive and other industrial HVAC applications. In 2008, the facility was awarded the AnKang Cup for safety from the Kunshan Health and Safety Bureau and Kunshan Union.
About Alcoa in China Since 1993, Alcoa has invested more than $700 million in China's aluminum industry. As of December 31, 2010, Alcoa China has 12 legal entities employing 1,035 people. Alcoa China locates its Asia Pacific Headquarters in Beijing, with its plants, trading companies and offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Qinhuangdao, Kunshan, Suzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, manufacturing sheets, fasteners, automotive components and aerospace products. Alcoa China is a member of the China Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD) and the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI). Alcoa created a strategic partnership with Chinalco in February 2008.
About Alcoa Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world's largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa(R) wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa's operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world.