Sapa's business concept is based on close cooperation with customers, the majority of whom are located in Europe, North America and Asia. The largest customer segments are the construction, transportation, automotive and engineering industries, as well as the home and office markets. The company has manufacturing facilities in 18 countries in Europe, the US and China.
Profiles
Profiles is a leading independent manufacturer of aluminium extrusions and engages in extensive processing operations, including surface treatment, hydroforming, friction-stir welding and CNC treatment. Production takes place in 15 European countries, the US and China. Aluminium extrusions are used for design solutions in virtually all sectors.
At mid-year 2007, Sapa and Alcoa formed a joint venture, making Sapa the premier supplier in the industry. In particular, a better geographical balance was achieved when Sapa Profile's market share in North America rose from 3 % to 26 %.
Sapa Profiles has three business units: Sapa Automotive, Sapa Mass Transportation and Sapa Thermal Management. These units coordinate Sapa's resources to meet the needs of customers in the automotive, railway, shipping, and telecom industries in an optimal manner. The integration of the corresponding activities at Alcoa has opened new doors, especially in the automotive segment.
Building System
Building System delivers aluminium solutions to the European building industry. The products consist of extrusion systems for windows and doors, advanced facade systems, glazed roofs and sun screening. Building System successfully developed a new generation of facade systems in 2007.
Building System is one of Europe's largest suppliers of aluminium building systems and encompasses five companies, each with specific tasks and specialities. In close cooperation with customers, the companies develop products and services for each individual market. Building System operates under the brand name Sapa and its goal is to be Europe's preferred supplier of environment-friendly, energy-efficient solutions for aluminium building systems. Building System is renowned for its service, reliability, technology and innovation.
Heat Transfer
Heat Transfer manufactures heat transfer strip for use in different types of heat exchangers in the automotive industry, including radiators (cooling elements), oil coolers and charge-air coolers. Over the past few years, the manufacture of strip for use in air conditioning systems has accounted for a growing percentage of operations.
In 2007, Heat Transfer achieved good profit growth and higher productivity. Heat Transfer further consolidated its posistion as one of the world's leading suppliers of aluminium strip for heat exchangers for the automative industry. The trend in Europe was favourable and the operations in Asia continued to make strong progress. Demand in North America declined due to a weaker automotive industry.
Focus in 2008
- Continue the integration of Sapa’s and Alcoa’s aluminium extrusion operations
- Expand operations in the Asian market. At the start of 2008 a letter of intent was signed regarding the acquisition of the Chinese extrusion company Kam Kiu
- Establish and develop Building System’s new business method and focus on energy-efficient building systems
- Strengthen Heat Transfer globally with particular focus on the stationary air conditioning segment