Alcoa

In 1886, Charles Martin Hall became the first American to succeed in developing a commercially cheap method of smelting aluminum—by electrolysis.

The ALUMINUM COMPANY OF AMERICA (Alcoa) was founded in 1888 as the Pittsburgh Reduction Co., and since 1900 has had a branch in Cleveland, locating the headquarters of its forging division here in 1977.

Due to the growing demand for aluminum, Alcoa moves its operations from Pittsburgh to New Kensington, where it scales up production to include aluminum ingots and fabricated aluminum products.

By 1902, the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) became the only legal supplier of aluminum in the United States after a settlement with Hall's former employer, and while its patents were in force.

On January 1, 1907, 'The Aluminum Company of America' became the firm's new name. This was the year when the acronym 'Alcoa' was coined, and Davis was named company president.

In 1910, Alcoa introduces aluminum foil, revolutionizing modern homes by reflecting heat and keeping foods cooler and fresher, fundamentally changing how people live.

Hall remained a vice president of Alcoa until his death in 1914.

Alcoa introduced its first aerospace alloy, 2017-T4, which became a crucial material for constructing the historic USS Shenandoah rigid airship. This alloy continues to be utilized for aircraft sheet and plate, with over 90% of all aerospace industry alloys being developed by Alcoa research.

Davis was named chairman of Alcoa's board of directors in 1928 and remained in that role for thirty years until his retirement.

Alcoa established the world's first aluminum research laboratory, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and advancement in the field of aluminum production and application. This laboratory played a pivotal role in shaping the future of aluminum technology.

In 1937, the United States Department of Justice brought a famous antitrust lawsuit against Alcoa, accusing the company of monopolizing the aluminum industry and conspiring with foreign producers.

In 1938, the Justice Department charged Alcoa with illegal monopolization and demanded that the company be dissolved, leading to the case of United States v. Alcoa.

With the onset of World War II in 1941, the demand for aluminum surged due to its extensive use in domestic, industrial, and military sectors, leading to a doubling of demand for the metal.

During World War II, a German U-Boat sank the SS Alcoa Puritan in 1942, as it carried a load of bauxite ore, highlighting the crucial use of aluminum products during the war.

In 1945, an appeals court ruling found Alcoa guilty of antitrust violations, calling for a breakup of the company’s monopolistic hold on the aluminum market.

In a historic verdict in 1950, a judge ruled against divestiture, marking the end of the U.S. v. Alcoa case. This ruling had a significant impact on Alcoa's hold on the American aluminum market.

In May 1955 Alcoa opened a $40 million plant that it built for and then leased from the U.S. Air Force to make light alloy forgings for military aircraft; Alcoa bought the plant from the government in 1982.

In 1957, Davis retired after 69 years of service with Alcoa. This led to a change in leadership, with Wilson succeeding him and Frank Magee becoming president and CEO. Alcoa also realized the need to internationalize and diversify in order to ensure its future.

In 1958, Alcoa joined with Lockheed and Furukawa Electric Company to form Furalco, which produced aluminum aircraft parts for Lockheed. The company also attempted a friendly acquisition of a stake in struggling British Aluminum, Ltd., marking its entry into the largest takeover battle in British corporate history at the time.

Alcoa collaborates with the Pittsburgh Brewing Company to introduce easy-open aluminum pull tabs on cans of Pittsburgh Brewing's Iron City beer, revolutionizing the canned beverage market. This innovation, along with aluminum's recyclability, contributes to the dominance of aluminum in the canned beverage market.

In 1966, Alcoa achieved a record profit, surpassing a mark it had set ten years before. This success came after the company's initiative to produce sheet metal for aluminum cans, which gained popularity among beverage consumers in the 1960s.

Alcoa's alloys and propellants play a crucial role in the U.S. space program, contributing to significant milestones such as the first manned flight, the first moon landing, and the development of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.

In July 1977 Alcoa consolidated its forging operations in Vernon, CA, with its Cleveland operation to create the Alcoa Forging Div., with headquarters at 1600 Harvard Ave.

Alcoa Recycling is established, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In 1983, Charles Parry took over as the CEO of Alcoa, with a strong commitment to diversifying the company. He aimed to significantly increase the company's revenue from non-aluminum sources by 1995, leading to a period of aggressive acquisition and expansion.

After Paul O'Neill became Alcoa CEO in 1987, Alcoa became one of the safest companies in the world, despite the aluminum industry's inherent risks.

As part of O’Neill’s restructuring vision, Alcoa moved from its 1952 headquarters to a new, $40 million facility on the Allegheny riverfront in 1995.

In 1998, The Aluminum Company of America officially changed its name to 'Alcoa' to better reflect its global status. The name 'Alcoa' was first coined in 1910 as the name of a company town in Tennessee.

In January 2002, Alcoa posted its first quarterly loss since 1994, indicating vulnerability to the metals market despite strategic gains.

Alcoa and Pittsburgh Brewing collaborate to introduce the first aluminum bottle for Iron City Beer.

In March 2007, the Russian aluminum giant RUSAL merged with SUAL and the Swiss company Glencore to become United Company Rusal, overtaking Alcoa as the world’s largest aluminum company.

In May 2007, Alcoa made a $27 billion hostile takeover bid of Alcan, aiming to unite the two companies to reclaim the top spot in the aluminum market.

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January 2009, Alcoa was named to the Global 100 ranking for its exemplary sustainable business practices, highlighting the company's strong commitment to sustainability.

In September 2009, Alcoa was selected for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the eighth consecutive year, solidifying its position as a leading reference point for sustainability investing and showcasing the company's enduring commitment to sustainability.

After 128 years of operation, Alcoa divides its mining, refining, smelting, and power businesses from its fabrication businesses, forming two independent companies: Alcoa and Arconic.

Alcoa established a joint venture called ELYSISTM to commercialize a groundbreaking smelting technology that eliminates greenhouse gas emissions and produces pure oxygen.

Alcoa introduced the first low-carbon alumina brand, marking a significant step towards environmentally friendly aluminum production.

Alcoa supplies sustainable, low-carbon aluminum for wheels on the e-tron GT, with Audi being the first to use metal from their revolutionary technology that eliminates all direct carbon dioxide emissions from the traditional smelting process.

On February 25, 2024, it was reported that US giant Alcoa is poised to acquire its Australian partner in a $3.3 billion deal. This acquisition demonstrates Alcoa's significant presence and influence in the international aluminium industry.

On February 26, 2024, US aluminium maker Alcoa announced a $2.2 billion offer to acquire Australia's Alumina. This move signifies Alcoa's strategic expansion and investment in the global aluminium market.

Alcoa announced its goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations by 2050.