Kaiser Aluminum to cut operations at Va plant

BELLWOOD, Va. — Kaiser Aluminum is cutting operations at its Bellwood plant and plans to temporarily shut down the facility during July. The Bellwood plant manufactures drive shaft tubes for automotive customers, seamless tubes for service centers, and rod and bar products. Kaiser Aluminum said Thursday that the plant's production will focus on drive shaft and seamless tube products. Kaiser Aluminum said 56 employees will be affected by the change. The Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based aluminum products maker said it expects to take a $5 million charge against earnings in the second quarter as a result. Kaiser Aluminum did not say whether the charge would be before or after taxes.