Aluworks sings $12.5 million deal with Fata

Story: Boahene Asamoah

ALUWORKS Ghana Limited has signed a $12.5-million agreement with FATA Hunter, an Italian firm, for the supply of a new state-of-the-art Cold Rolling Mill.
The cold rolling mill is the heart of the manufacturing plant, the stage at which the cast strip is reduced to customised thickness for further processing in the finishing lines to customised sizes for various end uses such as corrugated roofing sheets, quality cookware and sheets for fabrication.
The additional Cold Rolling Mill is to be installed within a period of 20 months and is expected to increase the company’s current capacity from the present 20,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes.
At the signing ceremony, the Board Chairman of the company, Mr William E. Inkumsah, said “the signing of the contract for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Cold Rolling Mill in an addition to the existing one is a landmark in the history of Aluworks, which will pave the way for further expansion in future”.
He said he was confident that the company would once again supply high quality equipment, which would meet the company’s expectations.
The Managing Director of Aluworks, Mr Kondagunta Venkataramana, said the agreement with Fata Hunter for the supply and installation of a second mill would provide a vital link towards the goal of ensuring integrated aluminium industry in the country.
“The additional rolling mill will provide raw materials required for developing downstream product line extension strategies and help with acquiring new technologies that facilitate the development of local industries using aluminium semi-finished products, thereby generating job opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer of Fata Hunter, Dr Anthony Tropeano, said the new cold rolling mill to be installed was the very latest technology, which uses electronic and hydraulic technologies.
He said the company was happy to be associated with Aluworks, and assured management and board members that the company would deliver quality products.
The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Fabrizio De Agosstini, said the signing agreement signified yet another important step in Ghana-Italian relationship.
He said there was the need to further strengthen industrial co-operation between the countries for their mutual benefit.
He hinted that to further strengthen the ties between the two countries, the Italian President was expected to visit the country sometime this year.
Aluworks and Fata Hunt have a long business relationship spanning a quarter of a century.
Two major expansion works at Aluworks, which involved the addition of two strip casters and a Tension Levelling Line in 1989 and 1999 were designed, manufactured and installed by Fata Hunt.
Aluworks is a leading producer of flat roll aluminium products in the West African sub-region and exports about 40 per cent of the total aluminium demand in the sub-region.