YKK AP to Expand Aluminium Extrusion Capacity at Dublin, Ga.

YKK AP Inc. announced on Thursday the firm adds aluminium extrusion machine with 3,000 tonnes of press capacity and fluorocarbon polymer coating line at Dublin plan in Georgia, USA for US$ 28 million. The firm increases the output capacity by monthly 1,000 tonnes for extrusion and 275 tonnes for the coating. The firm starts expansion work in March 2007 commissioning the operation in July 2008.

YKK AP America Inc. has expanded the business mainly in aluminium construction materials for shop, condominium and building since the establishment in 1991. The firm decided the expansion with expectation for higher demand when the supply increases under firm building demand and temporally demand for hurricane damage recovery.

The firm will commission expanded US$ 9 million casting facilities in January 2007 as the first step for the expansion. The firm increases the output capacity through the second step expansion to add extrusion machine to total 3.

YKK AP America Inc. with 863 of employees in 2007 estimates the sales is around 20 billion yen for 2006. The firm supplies aluminium building materials and curtain wall products. The Dublin plant started operation in 1992.