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Cincinnati / Mumbai June 24, 2025: Aditya Birla Group, a leading Indian multinational conglomerate and the largest Indian investor in the United States, today announced that its flagship metals company, Hindalco Industries Limited, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% equity in AluChem Companies, Inc., a U.S.-based producer of premium quality, high value-added specialty alumina products, for $125 million.

Read the full Hindalco press-release here.

On Saturday, September 24^th, we held our annual company picnic at Sharon Woods in Sharonville, OH.  The weather could not have been better if we had scripted it in advance.  The event was kicked off with a meet and greet of fellow employees and their families.  Lunch was catered by a local vendor and all seemed to enjoy the plentiful spread of barbecued chicken, pork and various sides.  After lunch festivities included a cornhole tournament, which highlighted a particular skill that I need to hone, as I was coaxed into a pairing for this event.  The skill I am speaking of involves the tossing of a small beanbag in an underhand motion from a distance onto a slanted box with a hole.  If one doubts this takes skill, then you have likely never played cornhole.  Clearly many of our employees have not only played cornhole, but have indeed honed their skills beyond that of a novice.  The victors of this first-annual event were the team of Erik Wattenhofer, our very own production manager and Dustin Smith (DJ), senior lab technician who edged out the team of John Davis and Bernard Johnson.  I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and all of the participants.

The kids delighted in the arrival of an ice cream truck, offering up an endless supply of frozen treats to add to their fun.  Prize drawings rounded out the day, which saw many winners including:  Maurice Gibbs, Jim Quigley, Paul Kramer-Arndts and John Davis to name a few.  Congratulations to all who came away with a prize.

“Thank You”

This annual event is more than a fun social event; it’s an opportunity for AluChem to say, “thank you” to its many hard-working and dedicated employees.  As such, we took the opportunity this year to recognize a beloved employee who was lost last year to illness, Anthony “AJ” Johnson.  His family, including his wife, sister in-law and daughter were in attendance for the announcement of a future dedication in his honor and memory.  Our Powders Blending Department will be formally dedicated to AJ in the coming weeks for his many contributions to our company and his tireless spirit that continues to inspire all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.

Thank you to our picnic committee, comprised of Myra Glenkler-Daugherty, Shanna Wilkie, Mark Aragon and Erik Wattenhofer and all who attended.  I look forward to next year’s event.

Matthew E. Painter
Vice President & General Manager