Lewisport, KY, December 1, 2020 – On December 1st American Industrial Partners (AIP) completed its purchase of the former Aleris North American automotive and common alloy aluminum rolled products business which conducted its principal operations out of Lewisport, KY. Under AIP ownership the business has been renamed Commonwealth Rolled Products. The Commonwealth name recognizes and builds on the over half-century legacy of the Lewisport based business.
The former owner of the business, Novelis, was required to divest the Aleris North American automotive and common alloy aluminum rolled products business, including the Lewisport plant and Madison Heights, MI research facility to satisfy U.S. Department of Justice requirements.
“Under the Commonwealth Rolled Products name, we are building on our legacy and tradition supplying rolled products to industrial markets while setting a committed course toward excellence in automotive body sheet. It’s an exciting time for our workforce as we build on these strong foundations by further investment and upgrades at the Lewisport facility,” says Mike Keown, president and CEO of Commonwealth Rolled Products.
Its new owner, American Industrial Partners (AIP), is an operationally oriented private equity firm that makes control investments in industrial businesses serving domestic and global markets. The firm has deep roots in the industrial economy and has been active in private equity investing since 1989. AIP has committed to undertake significant investments in the Lewisport production facility, in addition to other improvements throughout the enterprise. “These upgrades further solidify Commonwealth’s leadership position in common alloy and will make the Lewisport mill one of the leading producers of aluminum auto body sheet in North America,” says Zac Carson, Partner. Keown, a native of Hancock County (KY), will serve as CEO of Commonwealth Rolled Products. Says Keown, “The Commonwealth team thanks AIP for their belief and support of the business. We look forward to fully capitalizing on the opportunity created by AIP’s investments and continuing our strong commitment to our customers, employees, and communities.”
About Commonwealth Rolled Products
Commonwealth Rolled Products is a leader in aluminum rolled products serving the automotive and common alloy markets. Commonwealth operates a production facility in Lewisport, KY where it employs approximately 1,100 associates and maintains its principal sales office in Cleveland, Ohio and its R&D center in Madison Heights, MI.
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