ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 86, 13 April 1940, Page 3

ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

£300,000 SYDNEY PLANT. COMMENCING THIS YEAR. Before the end of this year, Australian Aluminium Company Proprietary, Limited, with a capital of £1,000,000, is expected to be producing aluminium at its large factory at Granville, near Sydney. Total cost ot the plant is estimated at £300,000, and about 300 men will be employee. On a 47-acre site, two large buildings have already been erected —an administrative oiiice and laboratory and a big rolling mill and extension department. Additional production buildings will be erected later. Tne present plant is for the production of aluminium in rolled sheets, extruded bars, rod and various structural shapes. Already some of Ute machinery and equipment has been installed. Most ol the machinery, however, which is being imported irom Great Britain, is either on the water or awaiting shipment. The company planned to begin production by June, but the outbreak of war has caused the original date to be put back for a few months. Shareholders in the company are British Aluminium Company, Limited, 331-3 per cent, interest; Aluminium, Limited, of Canada, 331-3 per cent.; Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia, Limited, 20 per cent.;,and Metal Manufacturers, Limited, 131-3 per; cent. Aluminium is essential in the manu-, facture of aeroplanes, and its production is of the utmost economic and I strategic importance to • Australia, | both for industry and defence. The j company will produce all graded | aluminium alloys, including dur-j alumin, to meet British and American aircraft material specifications. The plant will also produce a wide range of aluminium alloys for foundry purposes.