Kaiser Aluminum is an American aluminum producer. The company was founded in 1946 by American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser. Kaiser entered the aluminum business by leasing, then purchasing three government-owned aluminum facilities in Washington state. These were the primary reduction plants at Mead and Tacoma, and the rolling mill at Bentwood. The company grew to be a vertically integrated aluminum producer. Kaiser currently owns 11 fabricating plants that can produce more than 400 million pounds (180,000 Tonnes) of aluminum annually. The company also owns a 49 percent interest in an aluminum smelter in Wales. The North American plants produce approximately 500 million pounds (225,000 Tonnes) per year of value-added sheet, plate, extrusions, forgings, rod, bar, and tube.
