Howmet Aerospace has broken ground on a plant extension at its Howmet-Köfém LLC Hungary site. The development will significantly expand Howmet’s capacity in Europe to produce forged aluminium Alcoa® wheels, Howmet’s lightest heavy-duty truck and bus wheels. The investment enables Alcoa® wheels to capture growth in key markets globally.
“Our wheels help customers increase payload while saving fuel and reducing maintenance,” said Istvan Katus, Vice President of Howmet Wheel Systems. “Fleets are increasingly turning to our lightweight, durable wheels and this expansion supports our meeting that expected growing demand.”
This expansion increases Howmet’s footprint in Székesfehérvár with production in the plant extension expected to begin first quarter 2025 . Howmet’s Wheels business entered the commercial transportation market in Europe over 25 years ago with just 32 employees and has grown to 800 today in Hungary. The new facility is expected to create approximately 80 new jobs in the region.
Alcoa® wheels are forged from a single piece of aluminum, making them up to 51% lighter and five times stronger than steel wheels of the same size, increasing payload and fuel efficiency. Constant Speed Test (CST) runs with a heavy-duty semi-trailer combination, based on Annex VIII of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 and additional fuel consumption test results show that Alcoa® wheels can save up to 1.29% fuel compared to two models of steel wheels used on the same test truck/trailer combination. The wheels are available in a variety of surface options, including the easy-care, corrosion-resistant Dura-Bright® EVO. Alcoa® wheels are also available as Ultra ONE®, wheels. Alcoa® Ultra ONE® wheels are made possible with the breakthrough, proprietary MagnaForce® alloy technology. With added strength when compared to the industry standard, MagnaForce® alloy enables an even stronger wheel, making Ultra ONE® wheels the strongest Alcoa® wheels.
Source: Tyretradenews
