An aluminum extrusion company in Niles will undergo a major expansion project in the coming year, investing $18-million in a new state-of-the-art aluminum extrusion line which is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2017.
The AACOA Division of Bonnell Aluminum already sports what is arguably the most technologically advanced aluminum extrusion and fabricating facility in the world, but it's getting even better and more advanced with this new project and additional capacity. Bonnell itself is a subsidiary of Tredegar Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Bonnell is anchored in Newnan, Georgia.
Brook Hamilton is President & General Manager of Bonnell Aluminum. He says, “With continued growing demand from our customers, it is exciting to invest in this additional capacity, knowing that we will satisfy these opportunities with the high quality products and services that AACOA is known for in the industry.” He adds, “Our facility in Niles is ideally suited for this project, with a well-run operation and a great team in place.”
Ira Endres is Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He says, “AACOA has a solid market reputation and is highly regarded as a leader in the markets it serves, primarily consumer durables and machinery and equipment. The facility also serves the automotive market due to its regional location.” Endres says, “It makes sense to increase the capacity in Niles based on demand from our customers.”
The new line will be comprised of a state-of-the-art 3600-ton extrusion press, housing a 9-inch container, handling systems and ancillary equipment. Capacity is estimated at approximately 16 million pounds. The project also includes additional floor space to accommodate future value-added fabrication capacity.
AACOA was established in 1972 and the current 157,000 square foot facility in Niles, with 3.7-acres under roof, launched operations in the fall of 1998 and is capable of handling several million pounds of aluminum each month. The plant is located in the Bertrand Crossing Technical Park at 2005 Mayflower Road just southwest of the Bertrand Crossing Campus of Lake Michigan College. The company has about 220 full time employees and continues to grow.
The Niles project marks another important investment made by the company in recent years and confirms once again Bonnell’s full commitment to its business. Hamilton says, “The addition of this new line will provide new and broader product line capabilities for our customers.”
Bonnell Aluminum produces soft and medium-strength alloy aluminum extrusions for building and construction, automotive, machinery and equipment, consumer durables, transportation, electrical and distribution markets. On October 1, 2012, Bonnell Aluminum acquired AACOA, a world-class manufacturer, fabricator and anodizer of aluminum extrusions with operations in Niles and a 117,000 square foot anodizing facility built in 1991 in Elkhart, Indiana.
