Alcoa 2003 Annual Report Download - page 20

NEWS
18
Clearly a Great Idea
U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican con-
sumers responded enthusiastically to
Reynolds Wrap®Release®Non-Stick
Aluminum Foil – as have consumers in the
U.K. to Baco®Consumer Products’ Baco-
Foil®Release®Non-Stick Aluminum Foil.
In the U.S., the foil beat initial projections
and is driving growth in Puerto Rico. In
Canada, where Release helped Reynolds
become the leading brand of household
aluminum foil, a brand extension into
nonstick grill foil was successful. In the
U.K., Release was a key factor in growing
brand share.
Longer Wheel Life
Scientists at Alcoa Technical Center
developed a proprietary, patent-pending
Dura-Flange®wheel product for enhanc-
ing the rim flange wear resistance of
aluminum wheels. This is a major step
in the aluminum vs. steel wheel market
because the new treatment makes it
possible for truck owners and operators
to enjoy the lighter weight and other
benefits of aluminum wheels and log
significantly more miles before seeing
rim flange wear.
Community
Giving in Russia
Alcoans from CSI’s Vostok facility com-
memorated the 10th anniversary of
Charities Aid Foundation, Russia, by par-
ticipating in social work activities. The
foundation is a London-based, interna-
tional fund that has partnered with Alcoa
Foundation in making grants.
CSI Vostok also takes advantage of a
long-term program that allows it to use
money it pays as a regional tax to finance
local programs. These funds helped
finance construction of a school sports
ground. CSI Vostok produces two types
of polypropylene closures, primarily for
the Russian market.
Good Corporate Citizens
Alcoa’s Köfém facility in Székesfehérvár,
Hungary, received the first-ever Good
Corporate Citizenship and Social Respon-
sibility Award from Figyelo, the leading
national business and economic journal.
Power Groups
As part of the relicensing process for its
hydroelectric generating facility in Badin,
NC, the Yadkin Division of Alcoa Power
Generating created Issue Advisory Groups
to assist it on topics ranging from environ-
mental and recreational needs to county
economics and cultural resources. The
groups are composed of several state and
local organizations and area residents.
Gardens in Shanghai
Alcoa Shanghai is part of a governmental
program to make Shanghai a “garden
city.” Alcoans joined 33 other business
and neighborhood groups to form the
Jiang Chuan Community Landscaping
Volunteer Team to plant and maintain
trees and promote their care and protec-
tion. Alcoa worked with the community
to acquire open space for planting.
Serving History and Today
A Tennessee Operations initiative involv-
ing several segments of the community
preserved an historic African-American
school and will provide a new athletic
complex for area youth. Alcoa sold the
school, constructed in the 1920s for
employees’ children, to a local developer
who has renovated it as a service center
for nonprofit and community groups.
Proceeds from the sale of this property
were donated to the local school district
for construction of an athletic complex on
a 10-acre site, also donated by Alcoa.
EHS
Eyes on Earth
Alcoa joined Earthwatch Institute, an
international, nonprofit organization
offering public involvement in scientific
research, by supporting 15 employee
volunteers involved in six projects.
Earthwatch scientists benefit from the
practical help provided by these Alcoa
Environmental Fellows, while Alcoans
benefit from firsthand knowledge of
environmental issues and how to better
support Alcoa’s environmental and
sustainability goals.
Julia Thornhill, Amersham, UK
Max Prilepski, Lyubuchany, Russia
Shanghai official (left) and Alcoa
Shanghai General Manager Joe Chan
open a new garden.
Joyce Woods, Davenport, Iowa, USA