000 tonnes per year in addition to the 265

Alcoa, the world leader in aluminum, employs big means to deal with the crisis... The US group, which will publish its accounts 2008 as early as Monday, has announced the removal of 13,500 jobs worldwide, or 13 of its workforce, by the end of this year. While wages and hiring are frozen, no fewer than 1,700 acting are also acknowledged. Either a disappearance to the total of more than 15,000 jobs. This plan is part of a comprehensive program which includes also a strong reduction of production, cost reduction and assignments of activities.

The goal is to respond to the economic crisis that severely affects the business. Aluminium prices fell to approximately by half since July, falling about 1,600 dollars per tonne. Stocks have more than doubled year last to reach their highest level for 14 years. White metal undergoes full whip falling drastically the application in the sectors of the construction, automotive, aviation, packaging and household appliances...

In the wake of aluminium, the course of stock from Alcoa fell 69 last year. Plunged after a rebound in recent weeks, the value was back by more than 9 yesterday at the opening of the session on Wall Street. The market is concerned about the decline of the profits that the restructuring plan will result.

In addition to the massive job losses, the group will also reduce its production of primary aluminum of 135.000 tonnes per year, in addition to the 265.000 tonnes announced in September and the 350,000 in October. For a total decline of 18 of the initial production. These cuts will be fully effective at the end of the first quarter.

Savings of 450 million

Another shipyard, Alcoa will attach to decrease by more than 20 the cost of raw materials: energy, coke and caustic soda... The American King of aluminium has put its suppliers in competition. But also to sign long-term contracts: thus, the company received in Québec energy supply until 2040 for three of its smelters.

Furthermore, as announced at its poor results for the third quarter of 2008, the Group has suspended its share buyback program and removed non-priority investment. He just encrypt this last measure. Investment spending will be divided by two this year, to $ 1.8 billion.

Finally, Alcoa intends to transfer four activities deemed too far from its core business: electrical and electronic systems for automotive, the aluminum foil, the Foundry of wheels of cars and its European division of products for transport vehicles, in Italy, Hungary and Germany. These four activities realize a turnover of $ 1.8 billion, for an operational loss of approximately 100 million on an annual basis. They employ in any 22,600 people. However, assignments should report that $ 100 million.

With all of these measures, the Group of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, intends to save 450 million in annual rate. Amount compared to the 22 billion (EUR 16.1 billion) of sales made on the first nine months of the year last for slightly more than 1 billion of net income. The cost of the program will be close to $ 1 billion, which will be charged on the last quarter of 2008. What scare investors...