iceman Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Sad day in Shawinigan today as Rio Tinto Alcan closes the aluminum smelter in town. The plant operated for 72 years. 425 jobs are lost. picture of the last pot smelted today.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Bummer. Moving operation to somewhere else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted November 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Here is an article from August about the reasoning behind the demise. Just economics and an outdated method of production it seems. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rio-tinto-alcan-to-close-shawinigan-que-smelter-1.1338873 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha Jim Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Indeed a sad day whenever a North American factory closes. I remember seeing that plant when I used to ride from Bernard's place. That company has many locations all around the world already. Surprising to see an aluminum smelting operation in Canada closes since that operation uses an enormous amount of electric power and Canada has some of the most inexpensive electric power rates. The top three producers of aluminum are China, then Russia, then Canada. China currently produces about 6X more than Canada and 5X more than Russia. It is very sad to see a plant close which is providing the income for so many people. It would certainly be good if corporations understand they have a responsibility to the workers which allowed them to grow and be profitable. Today, most large corporations treat workers as disposable assets. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana11 Posted November 30, 2013 Report Share Posted November 30, 2013 Ya 4 years ago we last our smelter that ford owend in Windsor ontario 2500 jobs...moved to Mexico...sucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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