‘We are currently in quiet period,’ says a spokesperson
By Stefan Yablonski
Novelis celebrated its 20th anniversary on Jan. 5, 2025. There wasn’t any celebration in late 2025 however.
Two devastating fires struck the plant late last year. The fires caused significant disruptions in the auto industry.
The first fire, on Sept. 16, heavily damaged the plant’s hot mill, where the processing of aluminum into metal sheets begins. Firefighters from more than 20 departments responded to put out the blaze.
Novelis set a goal of reopening the hot mill in December 2025. But a second fire struck the same section of the plant on Nov. 20. Any hope of reopening the hot mill was pushed back until some time in 2026.
Austin Wheelock, executive director of Operation Oswego County said they been working with Novelis to put together a package to assist them in their rebuild efforts. A spokesperson for Novelis said the cost to rebuild its hot mill and finishing line is $255M.
The IDA has assisted Novelis with a $15 million sales and use tax exemption, specifically related to the rebuild, Wheelock said.
“We are still recovering,” Novelis spokesperson Lauren Thompson said in January. “Also, at this time, we are currently in quiet period.”
In the wake of the fires, Thompson said the Oswego plant manager and several Oswego leaders are no longer with the company.
“I have no further comment on the matter,” she added.
