The foundations are currently being erected in the hall so that assembly of the 250-ton extrusion press can begin in June. At the same time, the infrastructure, such as lighting, cabling and IT infrastructure, is being adapted. 

Outside, construction work on the ingot storage yard is visible. The expansion will double the storage area to 3,200 square meters, which is already in use. A new energy-saving cooling system will also be built. This modernization measure will save 66 percent water and reduce electricity requirements by a third. 

Since the beginning of April, a lightweight hall measuring over 1,500 square meters has been in place on the extrusion site. The aluminum structure is customer storage and houses finished goods for delivery. The hall provides space for the aluminum profiles that were previously stored on the current site of the upcoming third press. 

The 11-million-euro investment will create an additional 35 jobs at the Rackwitz company and increase the plant's extrusion capacity by 12,000 tons per year. The official groundbreaking ceremony at the site took place at the end of January 2023 with invited guests including politicians, Hydro management from Norway and Rackwitz employees. Commissioning of the new press is planned for the end of 2023.