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## News ’04 

## Dynamic Protection 

Alcoa’s Deschambault smelter in Canada uses storm and snow-melt water in a closed-loop system in its processes. The plant rented treatment equipment to ensure that discharges of the excess water met the norm set for the effluent. Despite this treatment, there were spikes in fluoride concentra- tion in a neighboring river because the discharge was not synchronized with the natural cycles of the river. Now, computerized analysis of river-water fluoride levels, water flow, and fluoride concentration in the plant’s storage basin allows Deschambault to adjust discharges automatically. 

## All-Around Safety 

Attila Soós of AFL Automo- tive in Mór, Hungary, won first place in the Safety cate- gory in Alcoa’s employee photo contest, showing a 360° mirror that protects drivers and floor workers from in-plant accidents. He captured one of the many ways Alcoa supports its commitment to safety. 

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A complete view of their surroundings keeps floor workers safe. 

## Best of the Year 

The American Foundry Society honored Alcoa Automotive Castings with its 2004 Casting of the Year award for a hollow aluminum rear control arm used on several BMW and Rolls-Royce models. 

## On Deck 

Alcoa Home Exteriors and strategic partner Deceuninck North America entered the growing market for engineered wood building products with Oasis Decking by Alcoa. Composed of a proprietary for- mulation of high-density poly - ethylene and pinewood flour, Oasis outperforms both wood and other composite decks in strength, weather resistance, and design possibilities. 

## Habitat Helpers 

Employees at Alcoa Primary Metals’ Gum Springs (AR) plant received international recognition for their contribu- tions to wildlife habitat conservation from the Wildlife Habitat Council. The plant formally initiated a habitat enhancement program site in 2001. 

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## Animal Attraction 

Departing from the usual photos of buildings in construction ads, Alcoa Architectural Products USA (AAP) aimed to create more brand and product awareness by catching viewers’ eyes with animals. One ad fea- tures a butterfly fluttering around pieces of Reynobond Natural Metal Composites shaped like wings. “Naturally beautiful,” the ad begins. Other ads feature a rear shot of an elephant (because Reynobond XXL is available in 2-meter-wide panels) and a chameleon (because Reynobond is available in many colors). AAP saw a 15% increase in architects’ calls directly to its plant and more than 1,000 postcard requests generated by ads in Architec- tural Record magazine. 

## Excellence in Spain 

Three Alcoa facilities in Spain were honored for their work- place achievements in quality management. The Alcoa rolling plant in Amorebieta received the EUSKALIT Silver Q award, which the Basque government grants to companies qualifying as a European Foundation for Quality Management Model of Excellence. Alcoa’s smelter in Avilés earned the Asturias Managerial Quality Award 2004, and the Alcoa Flexible Packaging facility in Rubi received the 2004 Cambra 

Award from the Tarrasa Chamber of Commerce for its achievements in training in health and safety issues. 

## Tops in Hungary 

Alcoa Wheel Products Europe received the top prize in the National Quality/ Excellence Award business category in Hungary. Spon- sored by the Ministry of Economics, the award uses criteria based on the Euro- pean Foundation for Quality Management model. 

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## GBS Scores High 

Members of the Shared Services and Outsourcing Network, a global organiza- tion, named Alcoa’s Global Business Services organiza- tions (GBS) among the top ten Most Admired Shared Services organizations. GBS supports Alcoa’s decentral- ized business unit structure by consolidating noncore systems and work in its seven international centers, elimi- nating redundant costs, and providing a better platform for decision making. 

