Novelis sees limited impact of Trump’s tariffs on aluminium import on its business in North America

Novelis says it has seen limited impact from the import tariffs on aluminium imported from other countries. Novelis, the world’s largest aluminium recycler and rolling product manufacturer, imports about one-third of its aluminium from Canada and it recovers the other two-thirds of aluminium from recycled scrap.

"In the near term it wouldn't have a huge impact on the business. Unfortunately with a higher tariff that's going to mean higher prices to our customers and end consumers," said CEO Steven Fisher, during an MSNBC interview in March 2018.

According to a statement made by Fiona Bell, Director, Communications & Government Affairs, North America, the company has applied for product exclusions from the Department of Commerce.

"Novelis is experiencing strong demand for high-strength, lightweight aluminium from our customers across the automotive, beverage can and specialties markets. As a result, our team in Oswego recently achieved several records in production while maintaining safe and efficient operations,” she said.

Novelis is seeing a limited impact from the import tariffs on metal crossing the border into the U.S. and to offset this, we have applied for product exclusions from the Department of Commerce," she added.

Novelis' aluminium recycling and automotive finishing plant at Scriba employs about 1,200 people.  The company, according to the Plant Manager, Kevin Shutt recently finished a $10 million upgrade to one of its recycling facilities.

Shutt added that the plant reported record production in October 2018 and is also investing US$13.5 million on a new exhaust system, despite the tariffs on aluminium import.

"Automotive demand is very strong. Right now we are in a great position, we have more sales than we have capacity, so every pound that we can produce we can sell," said Shutt.