TORRANCE, Calif.--Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) announced today the successful deployment of its unique Trolley-Tray fastener kitting system at the new Airbus A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Tianjin, China. The Tianjin approach follows a similar deployment of this system at the A320 FAL in Hamburg, Germany. AFS now provides the Chinese FAL with all their required fasteners for use in the fuselage and wing joint area in a convenient point-of-use tray system. In addition to supplying the specifically defined fasteners for each assembly in a color-coded visual system that is designed to enhance and mistake-proof each technician’s fastener selection, the kits also include additional fastener grip lengths to address normal assembly issues. As a result, technician time wasted walking and searching for the correct fasteners are dramatically reduced; assembly speed and accuracy is significantly improved; Airbus only pays for the fasteners they use; and overall inventory costs are slashed.

Alcoa Fastening Systems, a business unit of Alcoa (NYSE:AA), is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of fastening systems including specialty fasteners, fluid fittings, assembly components, and installation systems for aerospace and commercial applications. Headquartered in Torrance, California, the company has 6,900 employees, and manufactures at 21 locations in 9 countries. AFS also operates 7 worldwide distribution/logistics centers providing value-added services.

For more information about Alcoa Fastening Systems, visit www.alcoafasteners.com. For information about its complete line of Aerospace Products, please contact Ms. Anne Brown, Manager, Global Marketing Communications, Tel: 1 714 449 4374; Fax: 1 714 278 8726; e-mail: anne.brown@alcoa.com.