Alcoa Inc. (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has appointed Galdino Claro, 43, to the newly created position as president of Alcoa China effective immediately.

He will be responsible for the company's eight joint venture or wholly owned operations in China as well as our newly acquired Korean company, Changwon Precision Extrusions. He will also serve as Alcoa's principal representative to the Government of China. Mr. Claro had been president of Alcoa Europe Extrusions and End Products, with responsibility for 20 plants in nine countries. He will be located in Beijing.

Succeeding Mr. Claro as president of Alcoa Europe's extrusions and end products business is Philippe Royer, 40, who joined Alcoa in January 2002. He will be based in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Royer had been president of VAW AG's foil business.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) aluminum foil, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 129,000 employees in 38 countries.