Fives acquires ECL, a specialist in the design and installation of equipment for primary aluminium production

Fives announces the acquisition of ECL, a specialist in the design and installation of equipment used to produce primary aluminium. ECL will become a new entity within Fives and bring a high level of complementary technical strengths and sales strategies.

Founded in 1947, and became a subsidiary of Péchiney in 1970 until its acquisition by Rio Tinto Alcan, ECL is a world leader in the design and installation of equipment used to produce aluminium, with a particular focus on Pot Tending Machines (PTMs), Furnace Tending Assembly (FTA) machines, and Anode Rodding equipment.

More than half of the world’s operating aluminium smelters outside China use equipment supplied by ECL.

The company also developed an offer of high-added value services (spare parts, maintenance, and modernization). It aims to help aluminium producers to maximize the performance of equipment and industrial installations throughout their entire lifecycle. This growing business relies on dedicated teams that are close to customers.

Fives is well-established as a major player in the aluminium industry, covering carbon, electrolysis and casthouse areas through Fives Solios.The complementary nature of Fives’ and ECL’s expertise in the three sectors will enable the new entity to propose technical offers based on a large range of key process equipment.

ECL has also developed technological innovations placing the company ahead of other equipment suppliers, notably for the automation of pot operation services, aiming at enhancing productivity and improving the safety and health of operators. This capacity for innovation, embodied by numerous patents, parallels the initiatives put in place by Fives in partnership with its customers, to develop pioneering technologies and systems with a reduced environmental impact.

Both Fives and ECL strive for high quality during the assembly and testing of machines to hight standards by highly qualified teams.

Both Fives and ECL have complementary sales strategies:

• A future common service platform will be formed, providing local proximity and greater responsiveness to client needs. It will be supported by the different ECL locations around the world and the current Fives Solios’ teams dedicated to service.

• Fives has built considerable expertise in providing turnkey solutions. By incorporating equipment supplied by ECL, Fives is now able to offer complete carbon plants to the primary aluminium industry.

Frédéric Sanchez, Chairman of the Executive Board of Fives, announced, “With the acquisition of ECL, Fives has strengthened its position as no one in the supply of key process equipment used in aluminium production. ECL’s business perfectly complements that of Fives. The combined assets of our two companies will strengthen the quality of our offer to aluminium producers, in particular in the service sector.”