Century Aluminum to settle in Chicago by July

Century Aluminum Co. hopes to have moved into its new headquarters in Chicago in July, according to company officials.

"We believe (the move) will come in on time and under budget, so that when we talk to you in July to report the second quarter, we'll be talking to you from our new offices in Chicago,"president and chief executive officer Michael Bless said during a conference call with analysts.

Costs associated with the move totaled $2.2 million in the first quarter and are expected to reach another $5 million over the next two quarters, treasurer and senior vice president of finance Shelly Harrison said.

Century has said that some 24 employees will move from the company's current headquarters in Monterey, Calif., to Chicago by the end of the second quarter.