FOOTHILL RANCH, CA - Kaiser Aluminum Corp. announced that its Trentwood rolling mill facility, located in Spokane, WA, was awarded the Association of Washington Business’s 2009 Large Manufacturer of the Year Award. This annual award honors members for their innovation in manufacturing contributions to their communities, and commitments to their employees all while creating a business model of manufacturing excellence. All nominees are judged on the following four key criteria: financial and economic impact, productivity and quality improvement, corporate responsibility and workforce excellence.

“We are pleased to receive this prestigious award,” says Jack A. Hockema, president, CEO and chairman of Kaiser Aluminum. “The award recognizes our outstanding workforce, culture of continuous improvement, and commitment to provide ‘Best in Class’ customer satisfaction. Further, this honor reflects Kaiser Aluminum’s core values: to be a preferred supplier, customer, employer and valued member of our communities.”

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association. Nominations for the Manufacturer of the Year award are solicited from AWB’s more than 6,500 members and chambers of commerce from around the state. There are two categories for entry: large manufacturers with more than 500 employees and small manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees. There are more than 7,500 manufacturers in the state of Washington.