North American aluminum trade associations hold first ever joint meeting

The leaders of the Aluminum Associations of Canada, Mexico and the US met on September 20, during the Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Week and Annual Meeting in Chicago. The aluminum NAFTA group agreed to coordinate their programs and resources to promote aluminum throughout North America.

Mr Steve Demetriou chairman and CEO of Aleris International and Aluminum Association Chairman said that each organization brings different strengths to expand aluminum’s message to people across North America.

Mr Eckhart Miesser GM of Nacobre and president of IMEDAL Instituto Mexicano del Aluminio said that the aluminum industry needs to prepare for new market opportunities throughout North America as this region recovers from the recession.

Mr Jean Simon VP of Primary Metal North America, Rio Tinto Alcan and chairman of Association de l’Aluminium du Canada said that “Aluminum can make an important contribution to reducing the effects of climate through a wide variety of product applications.”

Executives including Mr Tom Brackmann vice chairman of Aluminum Association and president of Nichols Aluminum; Mr Steve Larkin president of Aluminum Association; Mr Jean Simon chairman of Association de l’Aluminium du Canada and VP of Primary Metal North America, Rio Tinto Alcan; Mr Jean Simard president of Association de l’Aluminium du Canada; Mr Jean Marc Germain president of Novelis North America and Mr Roberto Oliveros Vasquez ED of Instituto Del Aluminio, AC discussed their respective organizations work on sustainability, product applications, statistics and standards programs. Follow up meetings are scheduled for early 2011.