A world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry, Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of its businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, it also markets Alcoa wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, structures and building systems.
The company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the topmost sustainable corporations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Alcoa which has been operating in India for over eight years now through its various business units has just launched its wheel products in the Indian market, specifically for the truck and bus segment.
“We did a study of the wheel market in India in the last couple of years and find good potential for Alcoa products in the heavy-duty truck and bus segment”, said Mr. Ross Simmons, General Manager, Sales/Technical AWP Australia, Asia & NZ, Alcoa Wheel Products Pty. Ltd.
Typically aluminium wheels are used only with tubeless radial tyres in the truck and bus industry. In India, there is growing radialisation, particularly in the bus market. In fact tubeless radials are fast catching up. The new DTC low-floor city buses are completely on tube less radials. These offer significant opportunity for the growth of forged aluminium wheels. The company is initially looking at the retrofit market and then move to the OEMs.
“We are excited about the opportunity in India for wheel products”, adds Mr. Simmons.
An aluminium wheel would cost three-four times more than the steel wheel. But there are significant advantages in using aluminium wheels. First, aluminium wheels are 50 per cent lighter that steel wheels. On a 3-axle truck you can gain upto 300 kg of additional payload. This means additional payload for the operator. The second major advantage is that aluminium is a natural dissipater of heat. It takes the heat away from the tyre and brakes, which results in lesser wear and tear on tyres, brake linings and brake drums. These wheels don’t need to be painted or welded. It is one complete piece with longer life.
With Volvo, Mercedes and Tata Marcopolo introducing tube-less technology in the market there is scope for growth in this segment. “Globally we have already partnered with Volvo, Mercedes and Scania, and we supply our wheels as an OEM part in most markets.
60 years of innovation
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products recently kicked off celebrations to mark its 60th year. Since inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948, Alcoa has led the way in innovation, growth, technology and sustainability. With the introduction of Dura-Bright XBR, Dura-Flange and the 14-in Wide Base Wheel, Alcoa offers more choices to customers to satisfy their needs. The Dura-Bright surface treatment is one of the most significant new features to be introduced on forged aluminum wheels in over 20 years and won accolades in 2007 from Automotive News as a PACE award recipient.
Aluminum wheels never need polishing and can be cleaned with just soap and water for long-lasting shine. This patented surface treatment will not chip, crack or peel and prevents filiform corrosion and discoloring, even with exposure to oxygen, humidity, moisture and road deicing compounds. Alcoa Dura-Flange treatment reduces and protects against excessive rim flange wear and delaying wheel replacement – well suited for off-road and heavy hauling vehicles.
Both these innovations quantifiably reduce your customer’s maintenance costs and truck downtime. The 14-in wide base wheels replace dual wheel assemblies in combination with wide base tyres that reduce rolling resistance and help deliver 3 to 7 per cent in fuel savings.
In addition to manufacturing aluminum wheels for commercial trucks, buses, light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars, trailers and motorcycles, Alcoa also produces a full line of wheel accessories and provides just-in-time assembly services to original equipment manufacturers.
To commemorate its 60th anniversary, Alcoa is introducing its Retro Wheel for the commercial vehicle aftermarket. This wheel has the classic look reminiscent of the original forged aluminum wheel but with all the modern technology developed through the years behind it. Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products provides wheel solutions that meet customer demands through the Alcoa Business System (ABS) which is founded on an environment that connects product development, engineering, manufacturing and sales and marketing to consistently provide the latest in wheel innovation solutions to meet marketplace needs.
The business unit also works closely with the Alcoa Technical Center, the largest light metals laboratory in the world, to develop many product technologies and innovations seen in its products today.
Through long-term partnerships with leading North American, Asian and European commercial vehicles and automobile manufacturers, Alcoa continues to offer wheel fitment solutions on many new vehicle platforms. Innovative styling, world class quality & engineering, manufacturing design and quick market flexibility make Alcoa wheels the most preferred in the global marketplace.
With global demand for Alcoa forged aluminum wheels accelerating, the business unit continues growing in North America while expanding further into Europe, Latin America, Australia and Japan. Recent investments in manufacturing facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, Lebanon, Virginia, Barberton, Ohio, Monterrey, Mexico and Kofem, Hungary allow Alcoa to provide the latest in wheel production technology.
Over its 60-year history, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products has strived for excellence and pursued corporate sustainability. Voted one of the Most Sustainable Corporations at the World Economic Forum five years in a row (2004-2008), Alcoa is committed to reducing fuel consumption and thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
“With our commitment to our customers and our investment in our workers, we’ve set a vision for the future with global environmental responsibility being one of our on-going goals,” says Kevin Kramer, President of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.
