Alcoa's Southern Graphic Systems Invests in Education; $25,000 Grant Aids Graduate Students at Clemson University

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2004--Southern Graphic Systems in Richmond, Va. announced today that Clemson University Foundation is the recipient of a $25,000 Alcoa Foundation grant to provide funding for graduate students to gain leadership and communication skills to be effective in today's marketplace.

The funding will enable the students to work as lab assistants in Clemson University's department of graphic communications, research technologies relative to the graphic arts, and receive and prepare training for emerging technologies in graphic communications.

"Southern Graphic Systems is a leading service provider in the graphic arts industry. Our responsibility to our customers in the very demanding markets we serve requires the best talent available. One of our key strategic objectives is workforce development - to attract and retain talented people by developing and implementing well-defined human resources initiatives," said Dennis Wilcox, regional vice president at Southern Graphic Systems. "In addition to this grant, our company partners with Clemson University to offer internships to students so they can apply their knowledge in an active workplace environment. The experience serves to enhance skill levels and helps to broaden the perspectives of these students. The program benefits Southern Graphic Systems in that we get short-term task oriented work completed with no long-term commitment and we have the opportunity to evaluate these students as potential permanent hires in the future."

The grant is part of Alcoa Foundation's commitment to improving the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Southern Graphic Systems, an Alcoa business, provides creative services, prepress services and image carriers to printers and consumer products companies. Southern Graphic Systems employs approximately 150 in the Richmond area at its three operating locations.

In South Carolina, Alcoa employs 1,250 at four operating locations in Goose Creek, Spartanburg, McBee and Gaffney, with a capital investment of $1.5 billion. Alcoa's contribution to the South Carolina economy includes a payroll of $85 million and $5 million in annual taxes.

About Southern Graphic Systems

Southern Graphic Systems, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, supplies photographic and digital images and manufactures flexographic printing plates and rotogravure cylinders for the packaging printing industry. The business has grown to more than 30 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Through its growth, Southern Graphic Systems maintains its dedication to providing exceptional value and service to its clients and employees.

About Alcoa Foundation

Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of life in more than 32 countries around the world where Alcoa operates. The Foundation's grants address global and local needs in Areas of Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Foundation manages Alcoa's ACTION and Bravo! programs which recognize the volunteer efforts of employees with grants to the organizations they serve. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community.

About Alcoa

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) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 120,000 employees in 41 countries and has been a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 45 years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes since 2001. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.