Kaiser Aluminum Extends Contract with Armor Holdings on U.S. Military Armor

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--Kaiser Aluminum Corporation today announced a contract extension with Armor Holdings to provide aluminum plating for U.S. military applications.

Under the contract extension, Kaiser will deliver armor for the M1114 Up-armored HMMVV (Humvee), a model customized for the U.S. military and equipped with additional armored protection on the sides and underbody of the vehicle. The M1114 has become one of the most commonly deployed vehicles by the U.S. military abroad due to its protection from armor-piercing projectiles and land mines.

"Kaiser has worked closely with Armor Holdings to provide top quality aluminum plating for U.S. military vehicles and we're pleased to extend this contract." said Jack Hockema, chairman, president and CEO, Kaiser Aluminum. "We are proud to continue in the efforts to protect our troops and serve this critical need for the country."

Ongoing military operations across the globe have increased demand for the durability and low weight aluminum offers. In 2004, a U.S. Armed Services Committee meeting was convened to determine ways to increase and expedite the production and use of armor materials in Iraq. Since that time, Kaiser Aluminum has provided more than 11 million pounds of plating for reinforcement of U.S. military vehicles.

"Kaiser Aluminum has stepped in at a critical time and helped us provide additional protection for the troops despite an aggressive production schedule," said Tony Russell, Senior VP and GM of Armor Holdings' Ground Vehicle Survivability Division. "We are proud to work with a company that is as dedicated as Kaiser Aluminum to assisting our troops and providing products that we feel enhance their safety when engaged abroad."

Kaiser Aluminum is a leading producer of fabricated aluminum products for aerospace and high-strength, general engineering, and automotive and custom industrial applications. The company has more than 2,000 employees and 11 plants in North America and produces more than 500 million pounds annually of value-added sheet, plate, extrusions, forgings, rod, bar and tube. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.kaiseraluminum.com.

Armor Holdings, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of military vehicles, vehicle armor systems and life safety and survivability systems serving military, law enforcement, homeland security and commercial markets.