New Section 232 Proclamation Reshapes Tariff Treatment for Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Imports

The Administration’s new Section 232 proclamation makes a major change to how tariffs are applied to covered aluminum, steel, and copper products. The biggest takeaway for members is that covered goods are now generally assessed based on the full customs value of the imported product, rather than only the value of the metal content. The proclamation also reorganizes products into new annexes that determine whether they fall into a 50% tariff bucket, a 25% tariff bucket, a temporary reduced-rate structure, or are removed from scope entirely.

What members should know

Annex I-A identifies products generally subject to a 50% Section 232 tariff on the full customs value of the imported product, unless reduced treatment applies under the proclamation for certain United Kingdom goods. For members, this is the highest-rate bucket and includes core aluminum product categories as well as certain derivative articles. The important practical point is that these products are now generally being assessed on full value, not just the aluminum content, which can materially change overall duty exposure.

Examples relevant to the extrusion industry include:

·      7601 - Aluminum, unwrought

·      7604 - Aluminum bars, rods and profiles

·      7610.10.00 - Aluminum doors, windows and frames

·      7610.90.00 - Aluminum, structures and parts of structures, nesoi; aluminum plates, rods, profiles, tubes and the like prepared for use in structures

The link to download the spreadsheet with the applicable tariff codes and descriptions is available at the end of this alert.

Annex I-B identifies products generally subject to a 25% Section 232 tariff on the full customs value of the imported product, unless reduced treatment applies under the proclamation for certain United Kingdom goods or qualifying U.S.-metal-content products. This annex is important because it covers a broader range of downstream and derivative products than Annex I-A. In practical terms, Annex I-B captures many fabricated, assembled, and end-use products that may sit farther downstream from primary extrusion production but still carry meaningful tariff exposure under the new framework.

Examples that may be relevant to members include:

·      8716.39.00 — Trailers and semi-trailers

·      8716.90.50 — Other parts for trailers and semi-trailers

·      7616.99.5130 — Aluminum ladders

·      8415.90.8020 — Air-conditioning evaporator coils and other items

Annex II is the removal list. It takes listed products back out of Section 232 aluminum, steel, and copper coverage under the new proclamation. For members, this annex is important because it shows that not every downstream manufactured or derivative product remains inside the revised tariff structure. In several cases, Annex II removes products that may be relevant to fabricated metal, building product, consumer product, and recreation-related downstream markets. It also includes a specific carveout for certain motorcycle-related parts listed in Annex I-B when they are imported exclusively for use in U.S. motorcycle manufacturing.

Of potential note to extruders and downstream markets, examples include:

·      9506.91.00 - Fitness and exercise equipment

·      9405.99.40 - Lighting and illuminated sign parts

·      9403.99.90.45 - Metal furniture parts

Annex III is the temporary reduction list. It largely appears to cover production-related inputs, equipment, and machinery rather than core aluminum articles. Instead of imposing a flat 25% Section 232 tariff, Annex III creates a temporary cap on the combined rate of normal duties plus Section 232 duties through December 31, 2027. For most listed products, the combined rate tops out at 15%. For qualifying aluminum products that meet the U.S. smelted and cast requirement for aluminum or qualifying steel products that meet the U.S. melted and poured requirement for steel, the combined rate can top out at 10%. For products from countries without permanent normal trade relations with the United States, the rate is 25%. Beginning January 1, 2028, the Annex III treatment ends and those products move to the applicable Annex I-B rates.

Examples called out in this section include:

·      8207.20.0070 — Parts of dies for drawing or extruding metal

·      8417.90.00 — Parts of industrial or laboratory furnaces and ovens

·      8428.70.00 — Industrial robots

·      8457.10.00 — Machining centers for working metal

Two additional provisions worth noting

First, the proclamation includes a 15% by weight rule for many Annex I-B and Annex III goods that are classified outside chapters 72, 73, 74, and 76. In those cases, the additional duty only applies if the applicable metal makes up at least 15% of the total weight of the imported article. If an article is classified under a code that appears on multiple lists, the aggregate weight of the listed metals applies.

Second, the proclamation provides a reduced 10% rate for qualifying derivative products that meet the U.S. smelted and cast requirement for aluminum or the U.S. melted and poured requirement for steel.

Members should also note that the existing 200% tariff on Russian primary aluminum continues. The proclamation states that aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles listed in Annex I-A, I-B, or III remain subject to that 200% duty where the goods are the product of Russia, where any amount of primary aluminum used was smelted in Russia, or where the aluminum articles were cast in Russia.

Regarding stacking, the current Section 122 surcharge does not apply on top of Section 232 tariffs. If Section 232 applies to only part of an import, the Section 122 surcharge applies only to the portion not already covered by Section 232. It also remains unclear whether any future new Section 301 action would be written to stack on top of Section 232, so that will need to be evaluated if and when a new action is announced. For now, the key point for members is that the existing China Section 301 tariffs, along with any applicable AD/CVD duties, continue to apply on top of Section 232 where applicable.

In short, the new proclamation expands full-value tariff treatment, sorts products into new annex-based buckets, removes some downstream products from scope, and creates a temporary reduced framework for certain machinery, tooling, and equipment-related lines. Members should pay close attention not just to the tariff rate itself, but also to product classification, the 15% by weight rule, and whether qualifying products meet the U.S. smelted and cast requirement for aluminum.

A list of applicable articles is also available for download in spreadsheet format.

Combined Annexes IA IB II III

John Wayne Parrish, Jr., former CEO of Loxcreen Company and past Chair of the Aluminum Extruders Council, passed away on December 19, 2025. Parrish was described as a “true Renaissance man whose life was marked by service, creativity, and leadership,” according to his obituary posted on the Post and Courier, Columbia, SC.

Following his military service, Mr. Parrish became a successful businessman and served as CEO of Loxcreen Co., Inc., a family business of which he was deeply proud. The company is now owned by M-D Building Products.

He was an avid cyclist riding with the Carolina Cyclers and he traveled to the South of France to cycle there. He was also an avid musician who played the guitar, sang, led choirs and performed in two Southern Gospel quartets over the years.

Mr. Parrish was blessed with a large family. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years: Karen B. Parrish; three daughters, Robyne Parrish, Allison Hill (Roger), and Lindsay Parrish; brother, T.R. Parrish (Cindy); and sisters, Linda Caughman (Hazy) and Pam Childs. He and Karen have been blessed with five grandchildren: Sydney, Roger III, Grayson, Nicholas and Jack and numerous beloved nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.

The Celebration of Life Service was performed on December 23, 2025. The family asks in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at give.michaeljfox.org.

December 9, 2025; Wauconda, Illinois– The Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation (ET Foundation) and the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) have opened the ETF 2026 Rick Merluzzi Student Design Competition Call for Entries.  The deadline for Entries is March 30, 2026.

Student designs could win a Scholarship Award, with awards totaling $15,500 that will be presented as cash awards to the best and most innovative student designs submitted.  Winning entries will be awarded in these amounts (in USD): First Place - $5,000; Second Place - $4,000; Third Place - $3,000; and Sustainable Design - $3,500.

The Student Design Competition is named in honor of AEC Member and former AEC Chairman Richard (Rick) Merluzzi, who championed Council academic outreach initiatives including the AEC STEM Extrusion Kit and Student Design Competition Scholarship Award Sponsorship, right up until his passing October 24 from cancer.  Rick was instrumental in developing and implementing student outreach, including with his alma mater, Penn State University’s Learning Factory and Capstone Project program.  

“Rick raised the bar very high for AEC Members to emulate.  He has passed us a brightly burning torch.  Members must ensure that we seek out and nurture every opportunity to educate students in our high schools, community colleges, trade schools, and universities, on the infinite possibilities of designing and making innovative products with aluminum extrusions.  AEC is proud to enshrine Rick’s legacy by naming our Student Design Competition in his honor,” said AEC President Jason Weber.  

Rules, judging criteria, resources, and entry form are available in the competition’s Call for Entries brochure.  Students in high school, community college, trade/vocational school, or university, in STEM, engineering, industrial or architectural design may enter their extruded aluminum product design or extruded part assembly.

Individual students or student teams may choose to submit a Design Competition entry on their own, or as part of a classroom project or assignment.  Information on specific judging criteria and competition rules may be found on the AEC website, here.

The ETF 2026 Student Design Competition is sponsored by MI Metals, Inc., Oldsmar, Florida; Pennex Aluminum, Wellsville, Pennsylvania; and Bonnell Aluminum, Newnan, Georgia.

The international competition is judged by a panel of aluminum extrusion industry experts during the month of April, 2026, and winners will be announced in May, 2026.  Entries received on or before March 30, 2026 will be considered by the judges.

Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form for each student, whether entering individually or as part of a Team.  Entries and entry forms must be submitted either by email, to mail@etfoundation.org, or by mail to: ET Foundation, 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL 60084 USA.

For additional information, download the ETF 2026 Rick Merluzzi Student Design Competition Call for Entries brochure here.

About the ET Foundation

The Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation has been established for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes to develop, promote, provide, and fund education and research related to aluminum extrusion processes and technologies. For more information, contact the ET Foundation mail@etfoundation.org or visit www.etfoundation.org, and follow news about ET ’24 on our LinkedIn page, and on Facebook and Twitter.

About AEC

The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) is a progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America.  AEC is committed to bringing comprehensive information about extrusion's characteristics, applications, environmental benefits, design and technology to users, product designers, engineers, and the academic community.  Further, AEC is focused on enhancing the ability of its members to meet the emerging demands of the market through sharing knowledge and best practices.  For more information, visit www.aec.org and follow AEC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

It is with deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues that the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) announces that Richard “Rick” Merluzzi passed away on October 24, 2025. He was 68. Rick was a leader in every sense of the word. 

His experience in the aluminum extrusion industry spanned 20 years after having worked in his previous career for more than 24 years in various industries, including agriscience, chemicals, and industrial fluid handling equipment.

In 2005, he joined Pennex Aluminum Company as President, an operating company of Metal Exchange Corp., and later became the CEO of Pennex Aluminum in 2012. Rick became President – Manufacturing of Metal Exchange Corporation followed by CEO until 2023 where he was responsible for the overall strategic and operating responsibility for Metal Exchange Corp., including MEC Trading Division, Pennex Aluminum, Continental Aluminum Company, and ElectroCycle, Inc. By January 2023 he became Executive Vice Chairman of MX Holdings, the position Rick held when he retired in May 2025.

Rick was Chairman of the Aluminum Extruders Council from 2012 to 2014 where he made his mark helping to restructure the Council’s strategic focus. He led the Council’s strategic initiatives in promoting the effective use of aluminum extrusions in automotive applications and in helping the industry members strengthen their capabilities to serve market needs.

Throughout his professional life, Rick generously shared his expertise and experience mentoring others, thereby earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues, and developing many close, enduring friendships. Outside of work, he enjoyed sharing his interests with friends and family, including his abiding love for Penn State football. His love of his alma mater combined his career in the aluminum extrusion industry with students at Penn State University with a project that Rick helped spearhead to bring the design of extrusions to high school students, trade/vocational school students, and university students. Rick was the driving force in developing and implementing AEC’s STEM Education Kit for outreach to students and teachers. Rick helped develop the Kit’s content and its implementation and established essential connections with teachers and administrators at the Penn State University Learning Lab, Lehighton Area High School, and Lehigh Career & Technical Institute.  Rick’s energy and commitment to bringing the Kit ‘over the goal line’ this fall has enabled AEC to offer this educational tool so every member can promote STEM outreach in their community. 

“Rick was a friend and mentor that inspired me with each conversation,” said Mark Butterfield, AEC Chairman and President of Manufacturing, MX Holdings.  “Rick was a great leader, not just within Pennex and Metal Exchange, but across the entire aluminum industry. Rick impacted so many companies and the people within them through both his work and his character,” he concluded. 

Rick battled advanced prostate cancer for over 10 years. Rick’s passion was his prostate cancer foundation, Friends and Family Against Prostate Cancer, founded in 2023, where he served as CEO. Rick and Dr. Irene Gage established The Friends and Family Against Prostate Cancer Foundation “to energize an expanding network of friends and family focused on helping each other through prostate cancer treatments, building awareness of the disease, and raising money to further research toward a cure,” according to the foundation’s website. 

His obituary notes that “Nothing made Rick happier than spending time with family. Rick is survived by his lifelong love, Kathryn, and his sons Richard III, Alexander (Lauren Suarez), and Andrew (Radhika Deshpande). Also surviving are his sister Lynne (Gary) Fedorcha, his brother Craig (Dorrie) Merluzzi, and sister-in-law Judy Merluzzi. He was predeceased by his brother William and his parents. His memory will also be cherished by his in-laws, Sidney and Frances Gage, George and Ellen Gage Searles, and Irene Gage and Susan Pierce, and several nieces and nephews.”

The funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 104 Channing Ave., Malvern, PA. Visitation is from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Friends and Family Against Prostate Cancer Foundation. To learn more about the foundation, visit https://friendsandfamilyagainstprostatecancer.org.

Visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook HERE. 

AEC Extruder Members Almag Aluminum, Brampton, ON, Canada; MI Metals, Inc., Oldsmar, FL; and Pennex Aluminum Company LLC, Wellsville, PA, sponsored the cash scholarship prizes, which totaled $15,500.  Judges for the competition included Mark Butterfield, AEC Chairman, ET Seminar Committee Vice Chairman and President of MX Holdings/Pennex Aluminum Company LLC, Wellsville, Pennsylvania; ET Immediate Past Chairman, Craig Werner, President and CEO of Werner Extrusion Solutions LLC, Lake Forest, Illinois; and Shane Tredup, At-large member of the AEC Board of Directors and Sustainability Team Leader and President of Custom Aluminum Products Inc., South Elgin, Illinois.

Ava Cannedy, a sophomore studying Industrial Design at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, received the First-Place award of $5,000 for her “Sylvani” self-sustaining kitchen garden, made from extruded aluminum components.  The hydroponic garden structure automates plant care and brings freshly grown herbs and produce within easy reach.  Her winning design provides a space-saving, efficient solution to growing vegetables and herbs at home in limited space, promoting healthier eating and sustainability.  Hydroponics grows plants without soil using nutrient-rich water to deliver essential minerals directly to plant roots, allowing faster growth and efficient use of resources.

“Sylvani is an exceptional example of aluminum extrusion,” noted Cannedy. “It demonstrates the material’s versatility and strength, and ability to integrate multiple functions within a single structure.  By utilizing the internal extrusion cavities for the water and electrical routing, the design maximizes space efficiency, reduces the need for external wiring or tubing, and enhances the stand’s overall aesthetics and durability.  It’s a simple and beautiful way to grow plants in your home.”  She specified aluminum for its strength, durability, corrosion-resistance, and machinability.

Cannedy’s sleek, automated gardening system design focuses on the efficient use of aluminum extrusions, using aluminum alloy 6016.  Five main parts include the extruded component housing for the plant pots, decorative wood plank trim, main shelves, a top light and side rails – all interlocking to form a complete, functional unit that houses the water source and electrical for the LED light strips. 

Her extruded aluminum main shelf design is drilled with holes where incoming water meets the main water chamber, allowing water flow. The extruded aluminum lid with punched holes holds the plant pots.  A wooden plank and acrylic piece slide into integrated extrusion slots, adding aesthetics and diffusing LED light.  Two LED strips adhere to the aluminum extrusion for heat dissipation, with a slot for wire management.  Three screw bosses allow assembly into the side rails.  Each side rail has a drilled hole for every shelf, aligning with the main water chamber in the shelves to the outgoing water flow tube, integrating into the aluminum extrusion as is the case for outgoing water and electricity.  

The main component housing has one section for water storage and the other section for electronics.  A removable top plate allows easy water pump installation.  A screwed-in back plate provides access to the air pump and PCB, which controls the pumps and connects to the power cord.  The system works seamlessly, beginning with the air pump oxygenating the water.  The water pump then circulates water through the side rails into the main shelves.  Overflow holes manage the water level before the water returns to the main chamber. 

Cannedy explained the indoor garden’s assembly.  “Sylvani is assembled by screwing the main shelves to the side rails with a rubber gasket in between to hold water.  The top light also attaches to the side rails but without a gasket.  The side rails sit on the component housing, connected by a screwed-in plate.  A wooden plank, glued to the aluminum, hides the screws and adds aesthetic appeal,” she said, concluding, “Extruded aluminum is stable and durable, providing a sturdy frame that can support the weight of the water and plants.  The aluminum is highly recyclable, making it a more environmentally friendly material choice.”

“Sylvani showcases the best use of extrusion in this competition,” commented competition judge Shane Tredup.  “Extrusions are the backbone of this hydroponic garden.  The design is both functional and artistic and utilizes aluminum extrusions to solve the practical issues of watering and lighting, eliminating traditional piping,” he stated. 

Second Place , with a $4,000 scholarship prize, was awarded to Nil Tous Held of Montréal, Québec, Canada, an Industrial Design student at Dawson College in Montréal, for his ingenious design of the Alumina Tabletop Firepit.  Aluminum extrusion was chosen for its excellent thermal conductivity, lightweight characteristics and corrosion resistance.  Alloy 6063-T6 was chosen for its superior extrudability, enabling the integration of heat dissipation fins and flame adjustment controls directly into the body of the extrusion.  The integrated design avoids fasteners or other assembly dependent components.  The 6063-T6 alloy has a smooth finish ideal for anodizing, helping to ensure durability, corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. 

“Extruded aluminum’s properties make it ideal for managing heat effectively, offering greater safety and usability than existing designs made exclusively from stainless steel, which tends to retain excessive heat that can become a hazard.  This tabletop firepit creatively leverages aluminum’s unique capabilities to solve design challenges,” Held explained. “While tabletop firepit designs typically shrink design features of larger models, this design completely re-defines the product category, creating a new solution optimized specifically for compact and safe urban use,” he noted. 

The firepit combines an extruded aluminum body with a stainless-steel core, strategically leveraging each material’s strengths: aluminum’s excellent heat conduction and light weight, and stainless steel’s high temperature resistance.  The material combination enhances the unit’s performance, safety and usability.  The main extrusion is the firepit body, which integrates structural support, heat dissipation fins, intuitive flame control, and an emergency extinguishing mechanisms into a single component.  The integration simplifies manufacturing and assembly, reduces overall cost, and ensures precise, reliable functionality.

The competition judges liked Held’s design, calling it sleek and appealing.  The judges appreciated the attractive design of the extrusion and wanted to use this unit on their own patios.  “It’s a great-looking and functional solution for outdoor or indoor tabletop use.  I want one!” noted judge Craig Werner. “The aluminum housing and small footprint makes it a practical and attractive solution that works well with any décor.”  

Third Place with a $3,000 scholarship prize was awarded to Gene Lin, a sophomore studying Industrial Design at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, for his APEX hydrogen-powered rotary motor design for use in go-kart racing.  The student sought to work in the hydrogen-powered space, as he observed that multiple categories have been introduced to experiment with race cars using different types of power units, moving from internal combustion engines to hybrid, electric or hydrogen-powered motors.  Lin saw an opportunity to bring hydrogen power to an introductory racing series known as “karting”.  He noted that when burned in the combustion chamber, hydrogen combines with oxygen and the resulting reaction only emits water.

Lin explained, “Unlike electric drivetrains, which require heavy batteries to create the power needed to handle racing, hydrogen provides a cleaner power source.  Hydrogen burns quicker than gas, creating more torque low down.  It counterbalances the rotary to create a balanced torque range and offers a hydrogen rotary engine that is light, powerful and clean.  Lin designed the APEX to be built around a pre-existing racing kart chassis, where the hydrogen tank housing and rotary motor can easily be installed.  The motor exhibits continuous combustion making the hydrogen-powered engine run smoother than piston motors.  Limited and simple moving parts within the rotary facilitated components that can be extruded.” 

The extrusion design has built-in apex seal channels, enabling the rotor to implement oil reservoirs and unite with the apex seals to form one part.  Combined with an oil pump, Lin’s design enables constant oil being fed to keep the seals lubricated.  The extrusions’ flexible characteristics include snap-fit housing joints for easy unlatching, so removing and installing the hydrogen tank is hassle free.  Aluminum alloy 7075 was selected for its heat treatability and overall strength for the rotary motor.  Alloy 6063 was chosen for the hydrogen tank housing for its heat conductivity and cost-effective strength, according to Lin.

Lin noted, “This design revolutionizes the go-kart motor by utilizing an unconventional motor that can also be built using aluminum extrusion.  It still maintains what makes racing great, while reducing emissions with hydrogen power.  Aluminum resists absorbing hydrogen and becoming brittle.  Extruded aluminum aligns the grains to create a more uniform shape, making it up to two times stronger than cast aluminum,” Lin stated.  “Karting motors require cooling fins and complex fluid reservoirs, matching well with extruded aluminum’s suitability for designing complex shapes.”

In the eyes of the judges, this winning design “is a diverse and creative use of aluminum extrusion, with functional advanced technology” explained judge Craig Werner, President and CEO of Werner Extruded Solutions and Past Chairman of the AEC Business Excellence Steering Committee. “The 6063 and 7075 alloys really lend themselves to aluminum extrusion’s thermal benefits.  The design is extrudable as-is, working well in low volume for light-duty use with a hydrogen canister.” 

The Sustainable Design Challenge award, earning a $3,500 scholarship prize was awarded to Elena Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri, studying Industrial Design at Purdue University, for her design of Veroto, an accessible and space-conserving vertical garden that provides easy access to any planter trough at any height.  The goal of Veroto is to provide gardening or farming methods that are not limited by mobility impairments from disability or age.  Aluminum extrusions were chosen for their corrosion resistance and thermal and electrical conductivity, making them the best material for a product that is consistently exposed to soil and water while providing sufficient light. 

“Each planter trough and grow light can be removed, replaced and reconfigured along any point in the chain that spans two horizontal rotational axis points, allowing more user freedom and control to choose how many plants to tend,” Lin commented.  “The aluminum extrusion acts as a ground between the negative current running along one side of Veroto and the positive current running along the other side.  The voltage is strong enough for effective grow lights while being low enough not to shock the user.  Grow lights can run continuously with less maintenance.  Veroto promotes ease of use regardless of the user’s mobility, bringing simple, comfortable gardening to everyone.

“The final design was modified for household or garden use with increased modularity,” noted the student. Rotating troughs are easily accessible, even for those using a wheelchair or who have other physical limitations.  “The rotational unit provides access to all vegetation, regardless of a mobility disadvantage,” explained Thomas in her Design Intent statement, calling Veroto “Every Body’s Garden”.

The judges liked the design’s modularity and accessibility. “Aluminum extrusion gives the garden design versatility, ease of use and built-in adjustability and versatility features; a good use of aluminum extrusions,” noted judge Mark Butterfield.  “This is practical and functional for the home gardener or small business.”

Kimiya Gheybparvar, of Carbondale, Illinois, a graduate design student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, won a $1,000 Honorable Mention for her smart parking indicator pole design that visually indicates parking space availability using solar power in a unit made of 6063-T5 aluminum extrusions.

Her parking indicator system can be configured in the shape of a vertical pole or wall-mount module and is used to inform drivers whether a parking space is available, occupied or reserved.  The indicator can be installed in indoor areas such as parking garages and commercial centers, and in outdoor areas such as on streets and in open parking lots.

Kimiya’s smart parking system uses an aluminum extrusion profile that is both structural and light carrying.  The extrusion features precision side grooving, which provides easy mounting of LED strips on either side without screws or brackets.  For exterior installations, the extrusion is mounted vertically via a pole body dedicated internal slot and is securely held in place without external fittings.  The LED light strip is reflected off the pole surface to indicate a clear parking status using Green = Empty parking space; Red = Occupied parking space; and Blue = Accessible or reserved.

The indirect lighting indicator offers great visibility in daytime or nighttime, without glare.  Outdoors, electric power to run the lights is obtained via a solar panel on the pole, providing an independent power source for lighting and sensors.

For indoor installations such as parking garage facilities at shopping malls, airports, stadiums, campuses, or office buildings, the module containing the aluminum extrusion is ceiling or wall-mounted above each parking space.  LED light strips are placed in the extrusion’s side grooves, and the ultrasonic sensor is installed inside the module’s body, with only its sensing head protruding for accurate vehicle detection.  The indoor system is powered from the building’s internal electric grid or from a central battery.  This set-up enables quick, low-cost and accurate indoor installation for indoor environments.

Aluminum extrusion was selected for its light weight, excellent corrosion resistance, superior light reflectivity, customizable profile design and precise dimensional control.  Extrusions offer this device practical heat dissipation to maintain LED performance.  Kimiya notes that aluminum extrusion’s recyclability and reusability make it an eco-friendly solution, as well as offering cost savings and the best balance between performance, durability and production cost. 

The system’s ESP32 board with onboard Wi-Fi enables each pole to transmit parking status information (vacant or occupied) wirelessly to an app or server, where it directs the presence of a vehicle via its ultrasonic sensor.  The smart system enables real-time management and monitoring, offers accurate performance and easy set-up, and is highly scalable, flexible, and supports gradual smart city system integration, according to the student.

Unlike conventional market solutions that are only visible from specific angles, this product’s reflective light is highly visible from different angles and distances.  Made from locally sourced extrusions and components, it is more cost effective and affordable than market alternatives without compromising potential full-scale smart system upgrades to smart infrastructure.  Kimiya noted, “The Smart Parking Indicator Pole’s modern industrial design, with its clean, uncomplicated appearance and use of quality materials like aluminum extrusion, offers a product with both form and function suitable for modern urban settings.”

The competition judges agreed noting, “This is an energy-saving and handy device to help ease parking congestion.  It’s so practical, and the outdoor indicator is self-sustaining, powered by a solar panel.  It’s a simple and highly scalable extrusion design!”

About the ET Foundation

The Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation has been established for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes to develop, promote, provide, and fund education and research related to aluminum extrusion processes and technologies.  For more information, contact the ET Foundation mail@etfoundation.org or visit www.etfoundation.org, and follow news about ET ’27 on our LinkedIn page, and on Facebook and Twitter. 

About AEC

The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) is a progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America.  AEC is committed to bringing comprehensive information about extrusion's characteristics, applications, environmental benefits, design and technology to users, product designers, engineers, and the academic community.  Further, AEC is focused on enhancing the ability of its members to meet the emerging demands of the market through sharing knowledge and best practices.  For more information, visit www.aec.org and follow AEC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

James “Al” Kennedy, aluminum extrusion industry veteran, principal of Kennedy Eurotech in Newnan, GA, and recipient of the Aluminum Extruders Council’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000 and the prestigious Distinguished Service Award in 2024, passed away at home surrounded by his family on July 31, 2025. He was 83 years old.

Al was a staunch supporter of the aluminum extrusion industry and the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), sharing his vast knowledge of aluminum extrusion by conducting the AEC Press Maintenance Workshop for decades. He worked as a consultant to many in the aluminum extrusion field, authored technical articles, and represented international high-tech companies in the aluminum community. His technical manual, Extrusion Press Maintenance Manual, the manual that informed the content of the Press Maintenance Workshop, is considered a benchmark textbook on the subject. He continued to consult and to keep his manual updated until only months before his death.

Rick was Chairman of the Aluminum Extruders Council from 2012 to 2014 where he made his mark helping to restructure the Council’s strategic focus. He led the Council’s strategic initiatives in promoting the effective use of aluminum extrusions in automotive applications and in helping the industry members strengthen their capabilities to serve market needs.

At the awards ceremony in 2024 at the 75th AEC Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, Chairman Mark Butterfield said of Al receiving the Distinguished Service Award, “Al is the author of more than 95 published papers and magazine articles. In addition, many in the industry (and in this room) have a copy of his Extrusion Press Maintenance Manual. Al has been our go-to guy for the Press Maintenance Workshop for many years. We don’t know exactly how long it is, but it must be at least 30 years! His knowledge and expertise have been invaluable to AEC and its members. He also received two U.S. Patents for scrap reclamation processes. Al has served on the ET Seminar Committee since 1984, providing expertise and paper reviews for decades!”

Mr. Kennedy received his mechanical engineering degree from Duke University where he graduated with honors in 1962. He began his engineering career at Monsanto Chemical Company (1962-1972) in Columbia and continued to work with Monsanto in East Stroudsburg, PA, and St. Louis, MO, and Chemtech Industries (1973-1977) also in St. Louis. In 1977, Al joined the William L. Bonnell Company and settled in Newnan, GA. In 1989, he established his own company, Kennedy Eurotech.

Tributes from his colleagues in the aluminum extrusion industry poured in after the news of his death was shared.

Robert I. Werner, ET Chairman Emeritus, said of Mr. Kennedy, “Al was one of our giants. His desire to share, teach, and make the industry more successful was a blessing to everyone. His knowledge and experience, which he freely shared, were of value to all. I salute him and his memory. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.”

Mark Butterfield, President of MX Holdings Manufacturing based in in St. Louis, MO and Pennex Aluminum, AEC Chairman and ET Seminar Committee Vice Chair, said of Kennedy, “Our Industry continues to lose so many great pioneers that gave us the opportunities we have today. Al was certainly one of them and will be missed.”

Craig Werner, CEO and Co-founder of Intelligent Extrusion LLC in Lake Forest, IL, and past chair of the ET Seminar Committee and AEC Board of Directors, said “The AEC’s Lifetime Achievement Award – the Maurice H. Roberts Award, is given sparingly to those, like Al, who deserve it for the outsized contributions they make to the industry. My condolences to all of Al’s family and to our industry for the passing of a great friend, teacher, and leader and just a great guy.”

Jerome Fourmann, Director of Technical Marketing and Senior Director – Metals & Minerals for Rio Tinto based in Chicago, IL, and Chair of the ET Seminar Committee, said “Al has made such a profound and lasting contribution to our industry. A tireless advocate and volunteer to the AEC who touched so many of us. My thoughts and prayers are with Al’s family during this challenging time while Al’s legacy will continue to inspire many of us”

AEC President, Jason Weber, said “For Al Kennedy, this quote rings especially true: ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’ – Sir Isaac Newton.”

Al is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra Richardson Kennedy, son Andy (Karen) Kennedy; daughters Alice (Craig) Jackson and Elizabeth Brownlee; grandchildren Christopher (Daysha) Brownlee, Cole Kennedy, Madison Brownlee, Oren Kennedy, Jacob Brownlee; great granddaughter Natalie Rose Brownlee; and sister-in-law, Nancy Wildsmith.

The funeral is Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 2:00 at Newnan Church of Christ, 2675 Highway 34 East, with his beloved son-in-law Craig Jackson officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 preceding the service. As memorials, donations can be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Efforts, P O Box 111180, Nashville, TN 37222-1180 Give ' Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc.

For more information and to express condolences visit:

https://www.mckoon.com/obituaries/james-al-kennedy/#!/Obituary

Wauconda, Illinois; July 15, 2025 -- The Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) and the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) are joining forces to bring aluminum anodizing and aluminum extrusion industry business and technical information to their members and industry professionals. The AAC 34^th Annual International Aluminum Anodizing Conference & Exposition and the AEC Management Conference will be co-located forming the 2025 Aluminum Summit. The event will take place from Tuesday, September 16 through Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Atlanta Hilton in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The wide-ranging program addresses critical challenges faced by the aluminum extrusion and anodizing industries, including aluminum metal market analysis, status of aluminum tariffs, workplace safety, sustainability, and more. The program will include two general sessions covering relevant information to both groups, 24 Focus Sessions organized into six tracks, four sessions each, with three tracks concentrated on anodizing issues and three tracks focused on extrusion issues.

The Aluminum Marketplace, a small-scale Expo composed of exhibitors that supply products and services to anodizers and extruders, provides a forum for networking and camaraderie between the two associations and the attendees.

Conference websites have been created to share program and registration details with attendees. AAC has set up registration fees for members and nonmembers to register at www.members.anodizing.org.AluminumSummit. AEC members should log in and register at https://aec.org/AluminumSummit .

The Opening General Session on Wednesday morning, September 17, highlights insurance inspections, trade and government affairs as they pertain to aluminum extrusions, a study on the North American Anodized Aluminum market, among other topics.  

The Focus Session Tracks on Wednesday afternoon cover a wealth of information that anodizers and extruders can use to improve processes, learn a new technique, make informed decisions and more. The Tracks include Anodizing Fundamentals, Anodizing Tools, Anodizing Innovations, Management & Business Improvements, Extrusion Finishing Workshop, and Industry Intelligence. From Heat Treatment Impact on the Anodic Oxide Quality of 6000-Series Aluminum Extrusions to Machine Learning & GenAI Tools for Anodizers and Extruders, and from Innovations in Electrolytic Color to the Outlook for Automotive Extrusions and Using Data to Optimize the Extrusion Process, the Focus Sessions have something for nearly everyone involved in aluminum anodizing and extrusion operations.

The Closing General Session on Thursday morning, September 18, features an Aluminum Market Analysis and Outlook from Karen McBeth, Metals Global Engagement & Intelligence Director for S&P Global Commodities, who will share insights into the current market conditions for aluminum, especially on extrusion billet. Other sessions highlight sustainability, coexisting through communication and an emerging anodizing technology for creating antibacterial surfaces for medical applications.

The Closing Keynote will be presented by Gene Marks, a former columnist for both the New York Times and the Washington Post. In his keynote address, “Navigating 2025 and Beyond: Strategic Moves for Your Industry”, Marks will share practical, real-world strategies and tactics that forward-thinking leaders are using to navigate economic uncertainty, political instability, and the complex decisions surrounding technology and the workplace—positioning their companies for sustained growth and long-term success amid change.

Three in-conjunction workshops are being offered before the Aluminum Summit to provide a well-rounded educational experience for the week. On Monday, September 15, AAC will be offering their one-day Anodizing Essentials Class, designed to expand the knowledge and ability of anodizing production personnel at every skill level – from the line operator to the production manager. The class is open to members and nonmembers alike.

AEC will be offering their popular Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders one-day seminar to members. This educational course, taught by Professor Wojtek Misiolek, Director of the Loewy Institute at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, brings together aluminum extrusion theory and practice to provide a fundamental engineering approach to the aluminum extrusion process. The Course is open only to AEC members and can be added to the Aluminum Summit registration or members can register for the course only by visiting AEC.org/AluminumSummit.

On Tuesday, September 16, AAC will conduct the Anodizing Quality & Troubleshooting Workshop. The one-day technical workshop focuses on all aspects that influence anodizing quality, conducted by industry experts, and featuring Anodizing technical presentations and table discussions. Among the topics explored are aluminum metallurgy, manufacturing, and microstructure, anodizing to meet specifications, processing solutions for anodizing complex alloys, and effective troubleshooting. The Anodizing Quality & Troubleshooting Workshop is open to nonmembers as well as members of AAC.

AAC is offering both member and non-member pricing for the Aluminum Summit and Anodizing classes. Visit members.anodizing.org/AluminumSummit for program and registration details.

AEC members should visit AEC.org/AluminumSummit for program and registration details for the Aluminum Summit and the Extrusion Excellence course.About AECThe Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) is a progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America.  AEC is committed to bringing comprehensive information about extrusion's characteristics, applications, environmental benefits, design and technology to users, product designers, engineers and the academic community.  Further, AEC is focused on enhancing the ability of its members to meet the emerging demands of the market through sharing knowledge and best practices.  For more information, visit  www.aec.org and follow AEC on Facebook, LinkedIn , and X.

About AAC

The Aluminum Anodizers Council serves to promote the common interests of its members and the progress and growth of the aluminum anodizing industry through educational programs, technical bulletins and networking opportunities that include the annual International Anodizing Conference and Exposition. AAC is a progressive and influential industry force, a reputation proudly earned through years of dedication, commitment, and involvement by its members.  For more information, visit www.anodizing.org and follow AAC on Facebook , LinkedIn , and X.

Arthur W. Bidwell, Jr., former chairman of the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) passed away on June 29, 2025; he was 97. Mr. Bidwell was CEO and chairman of the board of Magnode Corporation, the company his father founded in New York and later Art moved to Trenton, Ohio. His son, Martin Bidwell, led the company until his retirement and sale of Magnode Corporation to Shape Corp. in January 2018.

Mr. Bidwell was active in the Aluminum Extruders Council for many years and was Chairman of the Council from 1981 – 1982. He was a recipient of the AEC Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Council, in March 2000 for his dedication to the AEC and the aluminum extrusion industry. In addition, he was chairman of the former Extruded Products Division of the Aluminum Association.

The Bidwell family was instrumental in the founding of the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC). Art Bidwell, through his leadership at Magnode and the Council, played a pivotal role in shaping the aluminum extrusion industry. The AEC is deeply grateful for the enduring legacy of the Bidwell family, whose dedication and vision have left an indelible mark on the industry. The AEC honors Art’s contributions and continues to be inspired by the example set by the Bidwells.

He is survived by his children John (Shelley) Bidwell, Marianne Bidwell Walter, Martin (Mary) Bidwell, Joseph (Carol) Bidwell, Kathleen Bidwell Gramke and Father Michael Bidwell; daughter-in-law, Susan Bidwell; 19 grandchildren; and 29 great grandchildren. Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann Farrell Bidwell.

A burial service was held for Mr. Bidwell on July 3, 2025, at Holy Family Parish – Holy Family Church, Middletown, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 - OR - Humane Society of Dayton, 1661 Nicholas Rd., Dayton, OH 45417 - OR - Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark St., Middletown, OH 45042 - OR- Hospice Care of Middletown 4418 Lewis St. B, Middletown, OH 45044.

For further details, visit the memorial page on Legacy.com.

October 9, 2024; Wauconda, Illinois – The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has been expanding its education program for members beyond Workshops and Seminars to provide its members with additional opportunities to educate their employees through a newly created industry-specific Apprenticeship Program.

Phase I of AEC Apprenticeship Program initiative was rolled out in 2023 and is designed to help members recruit, hire, and train Industrial Maintenance Technician apprentices in a two-year program that will combine on-the-job training and classroom and/or online education. The main program goal is to offer potential aluminum extrusion workers a true career path by developing needed skills in a structured program to learn the trade with national accreditation and potential funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The program is also available to existing employees who want to enter a career path in a particular trade.

Phase 2 of the AEC Apprenticeship Program, developed in 2024 and rolling out in 2025, offers trades education for aluminum extrusion press operators and die shop technicians. And finally, Phase 3 will add other skilled trades, depending on specific member needs, such as CNC operation, robotics, and welding trades. The AEC Apprenticeship Program involves specified on-the-job training and related technical instruction at an accredited community college, trade school and/or online learning.

In September, AEC was informed by the DOL that the Aluminum Extrusion Press Operator and Aluminum Extrusion Die Technician Apprenticeships have been accepted as official new occupations for its Apprenticeship Program, providing AEC members with a way to train new and existing employees in the unique requirements of the aluminum extrusion process.

Michael Todisco, CEO of Apprenticeship Connections & Consulting Corp. in Melville, NY, AEC’s apprenticeship program consultant, is helping the Council navigate the DOL’s apprenticeship application process. “This initiative provides AEC members the opportunity to invest in their apprentice’s education and training while the AEC facilitates and supports the process, with AEC Members acting as individual sponsors, and AEC serving as liaison between members and the DOL,” said Todisco.

AEC’s role includes assisting members in applying for various government funding reimbursement opportunities at the federal or state level, depending on extrusion plant location and assisting with processing and filing the member-provided apprentice data and required documentation with the DOL, such as designated training and education milestones, on-the-job training hours, and education registration and transcripts. 

AEC Member Duncan Crowdis, Alexandria Industries, has led efforts to launch and promote the program among members, “The AEC Apprenticeship Program offers our members a real option for building tomorrow’s workforce in the aluminum extrusion industry,” he said. “The Extrusion Press Operator and Die Technician roles are game changers that will enable our industry to thrive and grow. We are now developing “Train-the-Trainer” on-the-job training materials that enable our most senior subject-matter experts in the field to train up journeymen at member plants who will provide the critical knowledge and skills that these workers will require going forward.” 

AEC will use the two-year partnership with Heroes MAKE America to help its participating U.S. members with manufacturing operations across the country to hire skilled and qualified personnel to fill open positions for management and skilled technicians that are sorely needed.

"I am excited to partner with The Manufacturing Institute in their Heroes Make America initiative for a number of reasons," explained Duncan Crowdis, Chairman of the AEC Workforce Development Steering Committee and Board member of AEC Extruder Member Alexandria Industries in Alexandria, Minnesota. "The goals of this program and the needs of AEC members are perfectly complimentary, and the partnership checks off so many boxes. It's an opportunity for the people who have served our country in the military, to seamlessly transition to a rewarding next career in manufacturing. It's an opportunity for our industry to attract much-needed mature talent as we grow into the future. It's an opportunity to leverage many skills that our service personnel have developed while in the military and apply them in a manufacturing setting. And it's an opportunity for two organizations to work together to expand a program that has had increasing success since its launch in 2018."

Through a variety of initiatives, Heroes MAKE America provides participants with the skills and certifications they need to build a rewarding career in manufacturing. The program targets transitioning servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and active-duty military spouses. Currently, the training program is in force onsite at four military bases, including Ft. Cavazos, Texas; Ft. Liberty, North Carolina; Ft. Riley, Kansas; and Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Air Field (HAAF), Georgia. Training pathways include Certified Production Technician (CPT)®, Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), and Certified Logistics Technician (CLT)®, with virtual training offered in the CPT or CLT pathways.

The Aluminum Extruders Council was attracted to the Heroes MAKE America initiative due to the strong alignment of the mutual goals of both organizations, and the way in which The Manufacturing Institute has taken such a broad approach to the challenge of finding rewarding careers for transitioning military personnel.

"[The Heroes MAKE America Program] provides not only several basic training options that align with manufacturing skill needs, but they put in place opportunities to connect the military with manufacturers through in-person and virtual presentations, job fairs and industry-specific showcases. In addition, to ensure a high rate of successful transitions, given the unique needs of military personnel, they put in place educational programs for employers, focused on awareness and integration of transitioning military veterans, making it a fully multi-dimensional approach," explained Crowdis.

AEC will be taking time in the first quarter of 2024 to develop an onboarding process for interested AEC members to take part in the program. The Heroes MAKE America program will be integrated into the AEC's Workforce Development Initiative that has the mandate of aiding members in attracting and retaining skilled personnel for the aluminum extrusion industry.

Registration for the 74th Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference, scheduled for March 16th through 18th, 2023, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, CA will be open in early January. The Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference provides a well-rounded program for aluminum extrusion executives featuring aluminum market insights, business information and Council initiative updates, as well as opportunities for networking with their peers.

Later in the year, the Council will hold educational workshops that give extrusion industry professionals opportunities to hone their skills and expand their knowledge and understanding of the aluminum extrusion process.

Throughout the year, AEC will continue its schedule of member webinars on various aluminum extrusion topics – from safety, dies and finishing to human resources, press maintenance, and more. Extrusion professionals who work for AEC member companies are eligible to attend these complimentary webinars by registering at members.aec.org/events. For details, visit www.AECmeets.org.

2023 AEC Events

• 74th Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference: March 16-18; JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, Palm Desert, CA
• Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders: June 12; Atlanta Airport Marriott, Atlanta, GA
• Press Maintenance Workshop: June 12-14; Atlanta Airport Marriott, Atlanta, GA
• Management Conference: September 13-15; Radisson Blu Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Die Performance Improvement Clinic: October 2-4; Sheraton Pittsburgh at Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA
• Process Optimization Workshop: November 7-8; Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, IL
• Safety Seminar: November 8-9; Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, IL

2024 AEC Events

• 75th Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference: March 21-23; Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ
• ET ’24 - Thirteenth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar & Exposition: April 30 – May 2; Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, FL

The Call for Abstracts is now open for ET ’24, with abstract submissions due no later than February 28, 2023. For details, visit www.ET24.us and follow ET ’24 on the ET Foundation LinkedIn page for the latest developments.

A Calendar of Events was mailed to AEC members at the beginning of the year to act as a reminder for these educational events. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting AEC VP of Membership and Event Strategies, Lisse Jurcenko at ljurcenko@tso.net.

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