NEW YORK–Alcoa Chairman, Alain Belda, and CEO, Klaus Kleinfeld, rang the opening
bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) this morning, commemorating
Alcoa’s 50 years as a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
(DJIA). Today’s event is part of the year-long celebration of the 120th
anniversary of Alcoa’s founding.
Of The Dow’s current components, just eight have been included longer
than Alcoa. Alcoa has been a member of The Dow longer than three-fourths
of the nearly 100 companies included in the index since its creation in
1896. The DJIA is the best known market indicator in the world. Alcoa
joined the Dow on June 1, 1959, as the Aluminum Company of America –
demonstrating the importance of aluminum to the post-war industrial era
and Alcoa as a leading-edge market indicator based on its wide variety
of customers.
“In the 50 years that Alcoa has been a Dow company, we’ve grown from 17
U.S. locations to a global company with operations in 31 countries,”
said President and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld, before ringing the bell that
signals the start of the day’s trading activity. “Since aluminum –
today’s “miracle metal” — is widely used in virtually every industry,
Alcoa has become an important contributor to the Dow Index’s role as a
barometer of the U.S. economy.”
Joining Mr. Belda and Mr. Kleinfeld on this historic occasion were
representatives of Alcoa’s present and past. They included CFO Chuck
McLane and Vanessa Lau of Alcoa’s Global Rolled Products organization,
representing Alcoa’s 63,000 employees worldwide. Alcoa retiree, Bruce
Cooper, represented retirees from across the globe. Dr. Richard Hunt,
whose family in 1888 helped found the Pittsburgh Reduction Company – now
Alcoa, represented the company’s founders.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world leader in the production and management of
primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its
active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry.
Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and
construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing
design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa’s
businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components
including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings,
Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and
investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named
one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years. Alcoa employs
approximately 63,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More
information can be found at www.alcoa.com