Alcoa has announced that funding has been approved for the complete repair and refurbishment of its 50,000tn forging press at the company’s Cleveland Works. The project will make Cleveland Works a producer of large aluminum and titanium forgings for the defense, aerospace and industrial markets. Combined with earlier approved investments to support production of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter and other efficiency projects, Alcoa plans to invest more than USD 110 million in Cleveland Works through 2011. The press project will be completed by the end of 2011. It will involve the complete disassembly and renovation of the 50,000tn press, a 92ft structure – with four stories above and below the floor – that began production in 1955.