Howmet Aerospace, a leading player in the aerospace industry, has announced a significant development at its Hungarian subsidiary, Howmet-Köfém LLC. The company has initiated a major extension of its plant in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, marking a substantial expansion of Howmet’s capacity in Europe for producing its Alcoa® brand forged aluminium wheels. These wheels are renowned for being the lightest available for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Howmet Aerospace, a leading player in the aerospace industry, has announced a significant development at its Hungarian subsidiary, Howmet-Köfém LLC. The company has initiated a major extension of its plant in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, marking a substantial expansion of Howmet’s capacity in Europe for producing its Alcoa® brand forged aluminium wheels. These wheels are renowned for being the lightest available for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
This strategic investment is poised to enhance Howmet’s ability to cater to increasing global demand. “Our wheels help customers increase payload while saving fuel and reducing maintenance,” stated Istvan Katus, Vice President of Howmet Wheel Systems. He highlighted that the market is progressively opting for their lightweight yet durable wheels, and the plant expansion is a response to this growing demand.
The plant extension, expected to commence production in the first quarter of 2025, represents a significant increase in Howmet’s presence in the region. The company's journey in the European commercial transportation market began over 25 years ago with a modest team of 32. Today, it boasts a workforce of 800 in Hungary, with the new facility set to create approximately 80 additional jobs.
Alcoa® wheels, forged from a single piece of aluminium, offer a remarkable combination of lightness and strength – they are up to 51% lighter and five times stronger than steel wheels of the same size. This translates to increased payload and fuel efficiency for users. According to the Constant Speed Test (CST), based on Annex VIII of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 and additional fuel consumption tests, Alcoa® wheels can yield up to 1.29% fuel savings compared to steel wheels.
These wheels are not just about performance; they also come in various surface options, including the Dura-Bright® EVO, known for its easy-care and corrosion resistance. The Ultra ONE® wheels, featuring the cutting-edge MagnaForce® alloy technology, stand out as the strongest in the Alcoa® range, offering enhanced strength compared to industry standards.
