Significant Diversification Developments In The Global Titanium Industry

DENVER, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The July 2012 "Titanium Update" newsletter published by the International Titanium Association (ITA), Denver, CO, reports on significant diversification developments in the global titanium industry, including a major capital investment program for a Midwest producer of high-performance alloys and a new brand and marketing strategy for an international metals supplier.

Haynes International Inc., Kokomo, IN, a producer of specialty alloys, will invest $61 million to expand its manufacturing capacity for tubular and flat products, responding to customer demand in the aerospace, land-based gas turbine and chemical processing industries. Haynes has earmarked $37 million to bolster its titanium and high-performance nickel alloy tubular production at its Arcadia, LA, facility, and $24 million for its high-performance alloy flat products unit in Kokomo. "The capital investments in Arcadia and Kokomo should improve our ability to service our customers' increasing demands for specialty products and continue to improve operating efficiencies," Mark Comerford, president and chief executive officer, said.

Titanium Industries Inc. (T.I.), Rockaway, NJ, a supplier of high-performance metals, has launched a refreshed brand for its international business and appointed individual marketing directors for its aerospace, medical, industrial and oil and gas units. The new brand and marketing strategy is a shift to a more diverse "T.I." awareness, which is designed to highlight the company's product portfolio beyond titanium alloys. Brett Paddock, T.I. chief executive officer, said the move reflects the company's significant growth in product lines that include nickel alloys, specialty steels and cobalt alloys. "We needed to reflect that in our brand," Paddock said. "We are a significant supplier to every major market sector and each has its own unique needs, specifications and requirements," Jeff Wise, T.I. vice president, sales and marketing, explained.

Plymouth Engineered Shapes, Hopkinsville, KY, a producer of titanium airframe extrusions, has garnered a 10-year contract from European aerospace giant Airbus, an agreement that calls for Plymouth to supply extrusions for various Airbus commercial programs, including the A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000. Donald C. Van Pelt Jr., Plymouth's president and chief executive officer, said the company would invest $12.1 million at its Hopkinsville plant to support the Airbus contract.

Perryman Co., Houston, PA, has finalized its purchase of the Pittsburgh operations of Accellent Inc., a subsidiary of Accellent Holdings Corp. The Accellent facility supplies forgings for the medical device industry. Frank Perryman, president and chief executive officer, said his company would expand the product families serviced by the facility, which has 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space dedicated to cobalt, chrome and stainless steel forgings.

The Sensors and Integrated Systems Division of the Goodrich Corp. has selected the Precision Rolled Strip® product line of Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) for use in heated floor panels for commercial aircraft. ATI's product is Grade 2 titanium rolled to 0.012 inches (0.305 mm) thin by 42 inches (1067 mm) wide. Rich Harshman, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated chairman, president and CEO, said that, in addition to the rolled strip product line, Goodrich would benefit from ATI's "reliable supply chain."

Download a copy of the Ti Update Newsletter at www.titanium.org or contact the ITA at (303) 404-2221.

Contact: Jennifer Simpson, Executive Director
1-303-404-2221 Telephone
1-303-404-9111 Facsimile
[email protected] Email

SOURCE International Titanium Association