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I
n a year full of significant progress on several top industry
priorities, the Aluminum Association led the charge in
2016—speaking with a strong, united voice for the entire
aluminum value chain in North America. As we enter a
dynamic political environment next year, the importance of
an engaged membership working together toward a common
goal will only grow. The regulatory framework under which
we’ve been operating for the better part of a decade will
change, creating both opportunities and challenges. How we
position ourselves will have lasting impacts on our member
companies, and the industry as a whole, for years to come.
As you’ll read in these pages, we accomplished much over the
past 12 months. One of our signature issues—global aluminum
overcapacity—was at the forefront of the national political
discussion and even a topic during the final presidential
debate. Our work educating policymakers on the benefits of
automotive aluminum helped ensure that lightweight mate-
rials are central to the ongoing conversation around vehicle
fuel economy. Our Casthouse Safety Workshop program
educated nearly 200 industry employees on safety best
practices. And our market-shaping sustainability research—
on auto recycling, green buildings and beverage packaging—
drove hundreds of views and downloads by customers and
other stakeholders.
We still have a great deal of work ahead of us. The domestic
aluminum industry is a cornerstone of the American manu-
facturing economy. And as the second largest market for the
metal outside of China, we in the U.S. have a leadership role
to play. There is no question that segments of the industry
are struggling. An economic impact study commissioned
this year by the Association showed that jobs in the primary
sector have declined to their lowest levels in decades.
Yet many downstream producers are investing and the indus-
try’s overall impact on the U.S. economy grew to $75 billion
in 2016—up 15 percent from just three years ago. Couple that
with a headline demand number that is up for the seventh
straight year and we have every reason to expect a bright
future. But only if we are smart, strategic and—importantly—
committed to working together on the issues that impact us all.
Through our 83-year history, we’ve always found that the
Association is strongest when its members are engaged. This
year, we saw members up and down the value chain step up
by educating Congressional Aluminum Caucus leaders through
aluminum plant tours; advocating on key public policy decisions
in front of agencies, regulators and NGOs; and testifying
about the challenge of aluminum overcapacity during a high-
profile hearing at the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Through your continued leadership, all of us can chart a
sustainable course for the domestic aluminum value chain.
We thank you for your continued support in 2017 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Garney B. Scott, III
President & CEO of Scepter & Aluminum Association Chairman
Heidi Brock
President & CEO of the Aluminum Association
CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
CHARTING A SUSTAINABLE COURSE