Hydro plants celebrate VAW acquisition

The Monett and Cassville aluminum plants of Hydro Aluminum North Amer-ica stopped work on all shifts to celebrate the company's purchase of VAW of America Inc.

The purchase was part of the sale of VAW Aluminum AG, the German aluminum company, to Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian energy and industrial company.

Hydro Aluminum North America is a business sector of Hydro Aluminum, the light metals unit of Norsk Hydro. The acquisition of VAW of America, Inc. makes Hydro Aluminum of North Am-erica the third largest extrusion company in the country with a total of 3,300 em-ployees working in 15 plants.

In a company press release, officials reported the acquisition is not expected to affect employment levels for either Monett's 350 employees or the 50 em-ployees who work at the Cassville location.

The Monett plant produces aluminum extrusions through a process where heated and softened aluminum billet is squeezed through a die opening to emerge as a fully shaped extrusion.

The Cassvillle plant specializes in extruding components used for various building products. It also operates a remelt facility where recycled aluminum is used in the manufacture of the soft aluminum billets used in the extrusion process.