NVL Novelis Inc

ATLANTA, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novelis Inc. (NYSE:NVL) (TSX: NVL) today announced that Thomas Walpole has been appointed as president, Novelis Asia, effective February 1, 2007. Mr. Walpole will succeed Jack Morrison who is leaving Novelis to take on new challenges following a 26-year career with the Company. Mr. Walpole is currently vice president and general manager of the Company's Can Products business unit, where he has led the development and coordination of Novelis' global strategy in the aluminum can market since 2005. He will be succeeded in this role by Jean-Marc Germain, currently vice president and general manager, Light Gauge Business Unit for Novelis North America, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Walpole has more than 27 years of aluminum industry experience. Prior to the Novelis spin-off from Alcan Inc. in 2005, he held a number of international positions with Alcan including vice president, sales and marketing, for the Rolled Products operations in Korea and president of the Lithographic, Can and Painted Products business in Europe. "Tom brings a strong background of industry experience and customer focus to his new position," said Martha Finn Brooks, chief operating officer for Novelis. "Additionally, with his previous experience in Korea, he is familiar with the growing Asian market, so he is an excellent choice to continue to build our operations in the region." Mr. Walpole holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from State University of New York at Oswego, and a Master of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University. He will be based in Seoul, Korea. Novelis is currently in the midst of a $30-million expansion of aluminum rolling capacity at its Yeongju plant in South Korea. As previously reported, Novelis expects that the expansion will add 100,000 metric tons of capacity for high-value sheet products by 2008. In 2005, Novelis Asia shipped approximately 524,000 tons of aluminum products, a seven percent increase over 2004. Jack Morrison is leaving Novelis following a long and distinguished career with the Company and its former parent, Alcan Inc. For the past six years, Morrison has been the Company's senior executive in Asia. His previous positions included president of Alcan Sheet Products North America and Asia, and a variety of management assignments throughout the United States. "Under Jack's guidance, our Asian operations have flourished. Novelis Korea has become one of the largest producers of high-quality rolled products in Asia. We thank Jack for his leadership and counsel," said Ms. Finn Brooks. Novelis is the global leader in aluminum rolled products and aluminum can recycling. The company operates in 11 countries and has approximately 12,500 employees. Novelis has the unrivalled capability to provide its customers with a regional supply of technologically sophisticated rolled aluminum products throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Through its advanced production capabilities, the company supplies aluminum sheet and foil to the automotive and transportation, beverage and food packaging, construction and industrial, and printing markets. For more information, visit http://www.novelis.com/. Statements made in this news release which describe Novelis' intentions, expectations or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," or similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other matters, Novelis' expectation that the expansion at its Yeongju plant in South Korea will add 100,000 metric tons of capacity for high-value sheet products by 2008. Novelis cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. Several factors that could impact such forward-looking statements include our ability to timely complete the expansion by 2008. We do not intend, and we disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The above list of factors is not exhaustive. Other important risk factors are included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as amended and filed with the SEC, and may be discussed in subsequent filings with the SEC. Further, the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as amended, are specifically incorporated by reference into this news release. DATASOURCE: Novelis Inc. CONTACT: Media, Charles Belbin, +1-404-814-4260, or ; or Investors, Eric Harris, +1-404-814-4304, or , both of Novelis Inc. Web site: http://www.novelis.com/

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