Magnode President Named Chairman of Aluminum Extruders Council (March 16, 2001)

The Aluminum Extruders Council has named Magnode Corporation's president, Martin J. Bidwell, its new chairman for a two-year term that begins today.

"I truly appreciate the trust my colleagues have put in me," said Bidwell. "I look forward to helping us all by promoting professionalism in our industry and selling the merits of aluminum extrusions to the marketplace."

The AEC represents more than 200 companies, including aluminum industry leaders Alcoa Aluminum, Reynolds Metal Company (maker of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil), BASF and Alcan. The professional association, based in Waucanda, Ill., is holding its annual meeting and naming new officers in Tucson, Ariz., March 15-17.

Second Magnode Generation to Lead AEC

There's a unique angle to Bidwell's chairmanship. His father, Arthur Bidwell, was elected to the same AEC position 20 years ago and currently serves as Magnode's chairman and CEO. This is the first time in the AEC's 51-year history that a father and son have served as chairman.

"My father thinks a lot of his colleagues in the aluminum industry," said the younger Bidwell. "At meetings he'd greet them like old friends, which is what they were. He considered it a duty and a privilege to serve in the organization's leadership. I feel the same way."

Bidwell's Goals During His Term

Martin Bidwell has also served the AEC as vice chairman and in a number of committee capacities. During his tenure as chairman, he plans to focus on four areas.

"Professional development is key, especially for some of our smaller members," he said. "We'll hold seminars on business operations and technical issues as well as human resource functions such as safety reporting."

He will promote the distribution of business information within the AEC, such as studies on operating ratios and benchmarking. "Members find it useful to see where they stand on these issues compared with industry averages," said Bidwell.

He'll also encourage the AEC's development of marketing materials and customer-information tools. "We want to make sure our customers are sold on the benefits of aluminum. We are committed to marketing our processes and added-value capabilities to engineers and students entering our industry," said Bidwell.

Legislative liaisons are also key issues for the new chairman. "We have a law firm in Washington keeping watch on governmental issues affecting our industry," he said. "We'll rely on our Washington contacts heavily in the coming weeks as we determine any regulatory changes resulting from the new presidential administration."

After he finishes his term as chairman, Bidwell will serve two years as immediate past chairman. "It's a multi-year commitment to the AEC," he said. "You have to be willing to devote your time as a leader and, when your term is up, help the new leader get up to speed. It is a privilege to serve the AEC in this capacity. I look forward to meeting the challenge as our industry and organization continue to grow."

About Magnode Corporation

Magnode is a full-service aluminum extruder, offering engineering, casting, extrusion, forming/finishing and trucking of finished work. It is headquartered in Trenton, Ohio, and has facilities in Monroe, Ohio, and Indianapolis.

Magnode's customers include the U.S. Department of Defense as well as automotive and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company has one of only 25 presses in the United States with 4,500 tons of extrusion capacity and a maximum weight per foot of up to 24 pounds. Magnode is ISO 9002 and QS-9000 certified.