Schuylkill aluminum plant keenly watching tariffs – Pottsville Republican Herald

CRESSONA — Officials at Hydro-Extrusions North America are carefully monitoring the burgeoning trade war between the U.S. and Canada.

The plant, which manufactures aluminum products for the auto and construction industries, imports 85% of its aluminum raw material from Canada.

The largest aluminum extrusion operation in the U.S., the Cressona plant uses about 200 million pounds of aluminum raw material annually.

Mike Hammer, general manager of Hydro’s industrial division, has previously indicated Cressona’s competitive advantage could be impacted by tariffs.

The price of aluminum rose after President Donald Trump announced his intention to increase the tariff on aluminum from Canada from 10 to 25% in February.

A Ford Q-1 supplier, Hydro Cressona designs, extrudes and manufactures components for windows, doors, electronics and transportation. The plant is one of Schuylkill County’s largest employers with a workforce of 1,200.

It is owned by Norsk Hydro, one of the largest global producers of aluminum products, based in Norway.

Meanwhile, D. G. Yuengling & Sons Brewery, which uses aluminum cans, also stands to be impacted by higher costs fueled by a trade war. A Yuengling spokesperson could not be reached Tuesday.