Aluminum extrusion shipments for 2012 announced

PlaceholderThe Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), Wauconda, Ill., and The Aluminum Association Inc. (AAI), Arlington, Va., have released industry estimates of aluminum extrusion shipments in North America by major market for 2012.

Domestic consumption of aluminum extrusions in the U.S. and Canada totaled an estimated 4.05 billion lbs. in 2012, an increase of 5.8 percent over the revised 2011 total of 3.83 billion lbs. Building and construction continues to be the largest market segment with domestic shipments of 1.39 billion lbs., or 34.3 percent of the domestic market for extrusions. Shipments in this market segment grew 3.0 percent in 2012 compared to 2011. Doors and windows represent 32.6 percent of this market segment's total shipments but showed little growth in 2012. Shipments to curtain wall, store fronts, and entrances represent 30.3 percent of the market sector, and these end uses increased by 3.7 percent over 2011.

Other market sectors include consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical, and others. These sectors represent 10.5, 12.4, 11.0, and 2.8 percent of total domestic shipments, respectively. Exports represent 6.0 percent of total industry shipments.