Auckland mill supplies local and o’seas markets

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 34

Auckland mill supplies local and o’seas markets

Comalco, the parent company, began operations in Weipa, northern Queensland, after the discovery there in 1955 of substantial bauxite deposits.

Now one of the world’s leading aluminium companies, Comalco has interests in smelters in Australia, and the United States, as well as Tiwai Point at Bluff.

Comalco Extrusions, Ltd,, which operates the three aluminium service centres, was formed in 1971 as a joint venture between Comalco and Alex Harvey Industries, Ltd. The company is managed by Comalco and has its headquarters at Mt Wellington, Auckland.

The mill, occupying more than 42,000 sq m, operates two extrusion presses, using raw

material (“billets”) from the Tiwai Point smelter.' As well, a sophisticated two-stage anodising process, known as Duracolor, was inaugurated in 1984 to replace the anodising facilities set up the year before. The Duracolor finish is claimed to provide an exceptionally durable, hardcoat finish that will resist fading and scratching in even the harshest conditions. It is available in a

, range of bronze shades, as well as black. I Extruded shapes and architectural components are exported from the i Auckland mill to the . Middle East, Asia and the '■ Pacific, as well as supplying the home market. ! Comalco Extrusions employs 220 people in this country at the Mt Wellington mill and the three service centres in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch.