Alcoa Wheels Recognized with “Top 20” New Product by Heavy Duty Trucking

February 22, 2011

Wheel Torque Solutions Selected For Revolutionizing the Wheel Changing
Process

CLEVELAND–Heavy Duty Trucking recognized Alcoa Wheels, a key supplier to
Wheel Torque Solutions, as a “Top 20” new product recently at the TMC
Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida. Heavy Duty Trucking editors,
in combination with members of the American Trucking Associations’
Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC), evaluated hundreds of new
products for those that are innovative and likely to contribute to the
bottom line by improving safety, fuel economy or efficiency.

As a critical component of Wheel Torque Solutions, Alcoa aluminum wheels
help to improve the wheel changing process by providing a more robust
mounting surface. In addition, Alcoa aluminum wheels are not susceptible
to paint build-up or corrosion resulting in a more dependable fastening
interface.

“Our engineering, field service and commercial teams worked with a
leading fleet company for nearly two years to develop Wheel Torque
Solutions,” stated Mike Parnell, Vice President and General Manager –
Alcoa Commercial Vehicle Wheels. “We’re honored that this system has
been recognized for improving maintenance procedures and reducing
wheel-offs in the commercial transportation market.”

Wheel Torque Solutions, comprised of four leading fleet truck product
suppliers, Alcoa Wheels, B&D Cold Heading, Chicago Pneumatic, and ITW
CIP, has revolutionized the wheel changing process. Wheel Torque
Solutions brings together the optimum nut, bolt, wheels and procedures
easing the installation process, increasing torque retention and
reducing the potential for costly and dangerous wheel-off incidents.

For more information on Alcoa wheels, visit www.alcoawheels.com.
For details on Wheel Torque Solutions, see www.wheeltorquesolutions.com.

About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products
Alcoa Wheel
and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves
the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products
used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels,
aluminum space frames, specialized vacuum die cast products, niche
products such as Dura-Bright® and Dura-Flange® wheels and M-Series™
medium truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components
for these markets. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Transportation
Products, Commercial Vehicle Wheels, and Automotive Wheels. It employs
2,800 people at 30 locations worldwide.

About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world’s leading producer
of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner
of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the
modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major
milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and
construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and
industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa
markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings,
as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment
castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other
light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys.
Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and
the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has
been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive
years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced
since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately
59,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be
found at www.alcoa.com.