Company Story
1888 - Charles Martin Hall, a 22-year-old Oberlin College student, discovers a method for smelting aluminum, which leads to the formation of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, the precursor to Alcoa Corporation.
1891 - The Pittsburgh Reduction Company is officially incorporated, with Charles Martin Hall as its first president.
1907 - The company changes its name to the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa).
1916 - Alcoa begins producing aluminum for the war effort during World War I.
1928 - Alcoa begins producing aluminum for the automotive industry.
1951 - Alcoa begins producing aluminum for the aerospace industry.
1960 - Alcoa begins expanding globally, with operations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
1998 - Alcoa acquires Reynolds Metals Company, expanding its presence in the packaging industry.
2007 - Alcoa acquires two Chinese companies, expanding its presence in the Asian market.
2016 - Alcoa separates into two independent companies: Alcoa Corporation, focused on upstream aluminum production, and Arconic, focused on downstream aluminum products.