Carter spoke to the 300+ meeting attendees about strategies for addressing the “new realities” facing the US extrusion industry.  He noted that in the 4 years since his arrival in the US to head Hydro’s North American extrusion unit energy and metal costs have substantially increased as have the volume of imported extrusion sold in the US.  Yet industry productivity has remained flat and the market recovery from the severe downturn of 2001 had been somewhat anemic.  Carter challenged industry leaders to organize for speed and flexibility, drive productivity relentlessly, and add value through innovation. 

Following his presentation, Carter announced the winners in the 2005 ET Foundation International Extrusion Design Competition, which is sponsored by Extrusion North America.

Author: Lynn Brown