Alcan Cable, part of Alcan Engineered Products – a business unit of Rio Tinto Alcan, celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Sedalia, Missouri, manufacturing facility on July 23, 2008. To mark the event, the plant management will host barbecue dinners for employees on August 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2008. Alcan Cable’s division management will also honour all employees with a gift commemorating 40 years of manufacturing excellence.

“This is a wonderful operating milestone for all our Sedalia plant employees,” said Ian Hewett, president, Alcan Cable. “The 40 years of our employees’ pride is reflected in the highest quality standards and plant operating performance that consistently keeps our customers very satisfied.”

The Sedalia plant employees have now worked over 2.3 million hours without a lost time injury, demonstrating their daily commitment to the company’s Health, Safety and Environment program. The plant’s quality and environmental management systems are ISO certified and the health and safety management systems are OHSAS compliant. 

Located on 63 acres in Pettis County, Missouri, the Sedalia plant completed a 100,000 square foot expansion in 2007. It primarily manufactures aluminium building wire products for the residential, commercial and institutional construction markets. As a recognized supplier of wire and cable in North America, the Sedalia facility is responsive to the needs of its many customers, which include electrical distributors and contractors.

The Alcan Cable Sedalia plant, originally constructed and operated by Olin Corp., produced its first cable in 1968.  After being acquired by Conalco in 1974, the company name was changed to American Electrical Industries.  The plant was acquired by Alcan Aluminum Corporation on November 21, 1979.  The 2007 merger of Rio Tinto and Alcan resulted in a new global leader in the aluminum industry now known as Rio Tinto Alcan.

Three employees are celebrating 40 years of service with the Sedalia plant.  Jerry Welch, Richard Simon and Bob May were hired when the plant opened in 1968.  They have experienced many changes over the years at the aluminum cable manufacturing facility.
Bob May, Shipper/Receiver, remembers how the computer age brought about significant process and productivity improvements to the shipping operations at the plant.    Richard Simon, Storeroom Attendant, recalls there were only 30 employees when the plant started operating in 1968 and the manufacturing operations consisted of only four machines. Jerry Welch, Scheduling Associate, attributes his forty years with Alcan Cable to the company’s focus on its people and their recognition of employees’ accomplishments. All three veteran employees recall how Alcan’s focus on safety has dramatically changed the operating procedures and contributed to the plant’s impressive safety record.  They believe the plant has improved the quality of life for its employees, and provided support for the Sedalia community and economy.  Most importantly, Bob, Richard and Jerry feel the great group of people who work at the Sedalia plant is the key contributing factor to the plant’s forty years of successful operation.

"I would like to personally express my appreciation to all the employees of Alcan Cable Sedalia, both past and present, for their contribution over the past 40 years.  We're looking forward to another forty years of success," said Ivan Dalrymple, Sedalia Plant Manager.

About Alcan Engineered Products

Alcan Engineered Products manufactures and markets engineered materials and solutions for a wide range of industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive, mass transportation, building and energy.

With 15,000 employees located in 34 countries and a commercial presence in 65 markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, Alcan Engineered Products is organised around seven businesses dedicated to performance materials in the areas of aluminium rolled products, aluminium extrusions, aluminium cable, composite products, automotive components and international trade. Alcan Engineered Products is headquartered in Paris, France.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Rio Tinto Alcan Cable Media Relations, Sedalia
Teresa Schilb
Tel.: +1 660-829-6133

Rio Tinto Alcan Cable Media Relations, Atlanta
Rhonda Buckley
Tel : +1 770-392-2381 

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Montreal
Stefano Bertolli
Tel.: +1 514-848-8151