The North Plant

The North Plant. . , The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) constructed the North Plant in 1941 to support the nation’s war effort during World War II. At the time the plant opened it was the world’s largest aluminum sheet mill and the world’s largest factory under one roof, with the world’s longest continuous mill. During the war, Tennessee Operations achieved its largest employment with a work force exceeding 12,000 persons., In 1987, the Company dedicated the newly constructed continuous cold mill which represented a $250 million capital investment for the modernization of its local fabrication facilities. In 1999, the Company changed its name to Alcoa Inc., then in 2016 the Company was divided into two operations, and the North Plant became part of Arconic Inc. , [Captions]: , Above, and right: At approximately 55 acres and more than 2.4 million square feet, when the North Plant opened it was the world’s largest factory under one roof. , Upper right: At the end of the 20th century Company production was dedicated primarily to beverage can sheet. , Aluminum sheet for World War II airplanes leaves the world’s longest continuous mill onto the run-out table in 1944. , Left: in 2016, Alcoa Inc. was divided into two operations. Local operations became part of the new Arconic, Inc. , Right: The Company’s new continuous cold mill was dedicated in 1987. , Company production is now dedicated primarily to automotive sheet. Ford Motor Company brought the new 2015 Ford F-150 to the North Plant in November 2014 for demonstrations. Employees drove the new all-aluminum truck. , Left: The interior of the North Plant was so large that electric carts and Crosley automobiles were used to navigate inside the building. This particular Crosley automobile was specially ordered and converted for use as a fire truck in order to provide access to small places. , Right: Just like at other factories across North America during World War II, women laborers were heavily relied on during the war. Here, workers are engaged in quality inspection of aluminum sheet. , Above: The North Plant played a critical role in the nation’s war effort during World War II, producing aluminum sheet for hundreds o thousands off airplanes. Pictured is the ceremony for one of several Army-Navy E Awards presented to the Company during the war. , Left: The continuous heat treat is part of the Company’s automotive expansion.