Hydro has announced it will be investing NOK 67 million (EUR 6 million) in upgrading the equipment, buildings and infrastructure at its aluminium extrusion plant in Lucé, France. The funds will also cover a new employee development program.
The Lucé plant operates two extrusion presses and an anodizing facility, and has been providing customers with custom-made and standard aluminium profiles since its production start in 1959.
“The Lucé plant has the people and the potential to become an industrial leader in the French landscape. The investment is going to improve the site’s ability to reach its potential,” says Roland Van der Aa, Vice President France for Hydro’s Extrusion Europe business unit.
Hydro employs about 160 people in Lucé, which is in the Chartres region, about one hour southwest of Paris.
Investing in technical improvements and in people
The new investment will be directed mainly toward technical on-site refurbishments. These will include upgrades and/or replacement of:
- Electrical equipment
- Mechanical equipment
- Hydraulic equipment
- Buildings and infrastructure
“We are also going to improve and accelerate our employee training program, for example, in maintenance and process control,” says Van der Aa.
The plant is one of Hydro’s four extrusion plants in France. The others are in Albi, Châteauroux and Puget-Sur-Argens.
Hydro Extrusions is the largest business area in Hydro, delivering tailored aluminium components and solutions to all industries, from automotive and mass transportation to building and construction, electronics, offshore and maritime. The business area serves more than 30,000 customers globally.