Green light for Kentucky aluminium plant

US firm Braidy Industries has announced it will build a US$1.3 billion aluminium plant near the border of Kentucky and West Virginia, US.

The 232,000 m² facility, to be located in Greenup County, will produce some 335,000 tonnes of aluminium a year, for use in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Braidy is expected to break ground on the plant early next year, with completion scheduled for 2020.

The firm’s CEO, Craig Bouchard, said the firm selected the Kentucky site for the plant after the state passed legislation prohibiting the requirement for employees to be members of a union and pay union fees.

Now, in the state, workers can opt out of paying union dues, while still receiving union benefits.

Bouchard said, “When you’re managing revenues, which will be $1.5 billion out of this facility, and 550 people working as a team, you have to be efficient. Move quick…throw all those work rules out. Labour unions are somewhat restrictive with those things.”