Logan Aluminum has invested a total of than $400 million in expanding its product mix and facilities. The company opened the first phase of its expansion in October and broke ground for the second phase which together is expected to create about 250 jobs.
Logan Aluminum has been producing aluminium beverage can sheets since 1983 and is boosting its capacity for producing more aluminium sheets for beverage cans and for the automotive industry.
A recent news release says the first phase of the expansion increases the plant’s recycling and new ingot casting capabilities by adding a 280,000-square-foot building. After the expansion the plant will be capable of manufacturing thicker-gauge aluminium sheets for automotive industry.
Logan Aluminum will have more than 50 acres under roof on its 1,000-acre site after expansion.
According to Ken Perdue, Logan Aluminum Plant Manager, the company is taking advantage of growing end-user demand for aluminium.
“It’s an exciting time for aluminum, and it’s a really exciting time for aluminum in Kentucky,” Perdue said. “We’re developing new capabilities. We’ve been a strong presence in the can market for years. Now we want to develop new capabilities.”
According to The Aluminum Association report, total aluminium content is expected to grow from 397 pounds per vehicle to 565 by 2028 as automakers look for lighter materials to improve fuel economy and driving performance.
The second phase will build a 65,000-square-foot cold rolling mill with $125 million investment and create 60 full-time jobs. The expansion that is scheduled to be completed in early 2019, will add capacity for both beverage can stock and heavier-gauge rolled sheet for automotive components.
The company that currently has about 1,200 employees will move up on the list of southcentral Kentucky’s largest employers after the expansion.
Logan Aluminum is jointly owned by Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc. of Louisville and Novelis Inc. of Atlanta. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has approved the company for tax incentives up to $5.2 million for the first phase and $6.5 million for the second phase.