8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 19, 2005

Alcan Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Canada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-3677	Inapplicable
Commission File Number	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1188 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 3G2
(Address of principal executive offices, including postal code)

(514) 848-8000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ]      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[   ]      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ]      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ]      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 5.02               DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

Paragraphs (c) and (d): The Board of Directors has chosen Richard Evans, Executive Vice President, to succeed Travis Engen, following Mr. Engen's retirement at the end of his contract in March 2006, as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective immediately, Mr. Evans has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Alcan Inc. and has also been elected to the Board as a Director. Also effective immediately, Michael Hanley, Executive Vice President, who was Interim Chief Financial Officer has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Alcan Inc. Required information appears in the attached Exhibits.

The terms of the employment agreements of Messrs Evans and Hanley are described in the Proxy Circular pp. 19-21 filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Item 9.01               FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (c)                 Exhibits

              (99.)

              99.1          Press release of Alcan Inc., dated October 19, 2005.

                                                  99.2          Biographical Notes - Richard Evans

                                                  99.3          Biographical Notes - Michael Hanley

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ALCAN INC.
BY:	/s/ Roy Millington
	Roy Millington
	Corporate Secretary

Date: October 19, 2005

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Number                                                                                                                                        Description

(99.)                                                                                                               

99.1                                                                                                                  Press release of Alcan Inc., dated October 19, 2005.

99.2                                                                                                                  Biographical Notes - Richard Evans

99.3                                                                                                                  Biographical Notes - Michael Hanley

EX-99

EXHIBIT NO. 99. Press release of Alcan Inc., dated October 19, 2005.

 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALCAN CHOOSES RICHARD EVANS TO SUCCEED TRAVIS ENGEN AS PRESIDENT AND CEO 

MICHAEL HANLEY, EVP, IS APPOINTED CFO

Montreal, Canada - October 19, 2005 - Yves Fortier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) is pleased to announce today that Richard Evans (58), Executive Vice President (EVP), has been chosen by the Board to succeed Travis Engen (61) as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Engen has informed the Board of his intention to retire when his contract ends in March 2006.

To facilitate a smooth transition, effective immediately Mr. Evans has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and has been elected to the Board as a Director. Also effective immediately, Michael Hanley (40), EVP and interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been appointed Alcan's CFO.

"Alcan is fortunate to have among its executives an individual of Dick Evans' caliber; someone who has proven business acumen, has a deep knowledge of Alcan's businesses and strategy, and embodies the Company's values," said Mr. Fortier. "Dick's extensive background in the aluminum industry and nine years at Alcan, as well as his wide ranging business experience, make him the ideal candidate and logical successor to Travis."

"The appointment of Michael Hanley as Alcan's CFO recognizes that he has both an extensive financial background and the operational management experience to ensure that the Company's financial strategy meets its business priorities and objectives," added Mr. Fortier.

Commenting on his appointment and the leadership transition, Mr. Evans said, "It has been my distinct pleasure to work with Travis on Alcan's transformation over the past four and a half years. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Travis, the Board of Directors, and my colleagues at Alcan, in strengthening the Company's position as a global leader in aluminum and packaging during this transition."

In recognition of Mr. Engen's tenure, Mr. Fortier said, "During his time at Alcan, Travis has overseen a period of tremendous growth and change for the Company. His leadership, vision, commitment, and deep understanding of the industry have shaped today's Alcan into a company focused on maximizing value for its stakeholders. He continues to exemplify strategic leadership by managing an orderly transition with a dedicated executive management team. On behalf of everyone at Alcan, we thank him for his tireless dedication in continuing to ensure a smooth succession."

Mr. Engen was appointed President and CEO on March 12, 2001. Among his many achievements at the Company, Mr. Engen led two challenging and successful initiatives - the acquisition of Pechiney and the spin-off of Novelis - as well as overseeing the implementation of the Alcan Integrated Management System (AIMS). He has served on Alcan's Board since 1996.

Alcan's executive organizational structure, which until today included the Office of the President, is modified immediately to reflect the appointment of Mr. Evans as COO. The four group Presidents, Jacynthe Côté, Alcan Bauxite and Alumina, Cynthia Carroll, Alcan Primary Metal Group, Michel Jacques, Alcan Engineered Products, and Christel Bories, Alcan Packaging, now report directly to Mr. Evans in his capacity as COO.

Michael Hanley, Executive Vice President and CFO, David McAusland, Executive Vice President Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, Gaston Ouellet, Senior Vice President Human Resources, and Daniel Gagnier, Senior Vice President Corporate and External Affairs, continue to report to the President and CEO.

"I am pleased by the Board's actions," said Travis Engen. "This new organizational structure keeps a tight focus on execution and allows for an effective future management transition. We have in place a strong and capable management team for both today and tomorrow."

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs approximately 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.

- 30 -

(Note to editors - Biographical details for Dick Evans and Michael Hanley are attached, as well as an executive organizational diagram.)

Media Contact: Anik Michaud Tel.: +1-514-848-8151 media.relations@alcan.com Investor Contact: Corey Copeland Tel.: +1-514-848-8368 investor.relations@alcan.com

EX-99

EXHIBIT NO. 99.2     Biographical Notes - Richard Evans.

 

Biographical Notes 

Richard Evans

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Alcan Inc.

Richard Evans is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Alcan Inc., which has its corporate headquarters in Montreal, Quebec. Until his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Evans has overseen all four of Alcan's Business Groups at differing times: Bauxite and Alumina, Primary Metal, Engineered Products and Global Packaging; as well as, participating in the overall strategic governance of the Company and the integration of Pechiney acquired by Alcan in 2003. Prior to taking on this role, Mr. Evans was based in Zurich, Switzerland and was responsible for Fabrication Europe, as well as, the global integration of Alcan and algroup following their merger in October 2000. 

Mr. Evans has an extensive background in general and executive management with the aluminum industry. He joined Alcan Aluminium Limited in Montreal, in January 1997, as Senior Advisor, Corporate Development, following 27 years of US-based and international postings with the Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation. In July 1997, he was appointed Executive Vice President, Fabricated Products, North America and President of Alcan Aluminum Corporation; and, in March 1999, he was appointed President of Global Fabrication before relocating to Europe in October 2000. 

Mr. Evans is currently a Director of Bowater Incorporated and a Director of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). He is a past Chairman of the U.S. Aluminum Association's Board of Directors (1997 to 1999), and has served as Vice Chairman of the European Aluminium Association, which is a Brussels-based European trade association. He is a former Director of the Alcan Deutschland GmbH Supervisory Board, former CEO of Alusuisse following the combination with Alcan, and has previously served as a Director and Chairman of Logan Aluminum Inc., which is a joint venture in Kentucky, USA.  

Mr. Evans is a graduate of Oregon State University with a bachelor's degree in engineering.  He also earned his master's degree in management from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He is a native of Oregon, USA and he and his wife, Gretchen, are the parents of two grown daughters.

October 2005

EX-99

EXHIBIT NO. 99.3     Biographical Notes - Michael Hanley.
 

 

Biographical Notes

Michael Hanley

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Alcan Inc.

Michael Hanley joined Alcan in 1998 as Director of Finance for the Bauxite, Alumina and Chemicals Group in Montreal. He transferred to Cleveland, Ohio in 1999 as Vice President and Assistant Financial Controller, Global Fabrication.

In September 2000, Michael Hanley was named Vice President, Investor Relations, for Alcan Inc. and in January 2002, he was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President of Alcan Inc. and President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Bauxite and Alumina.
 

He was appointed Executive Vice President - Office of the President on February 3, 2005. Since mid-May, he was also assuming interim responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and has now been appointed Chief Financial Officer.

Before joining Alcan, Michael Hanley was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with two public companies in the energy and forest products sectors.

Born in Montreal, Michael Hanley is a graduate of the Hautes Études Commerciales business school at the Université de Montréal and is a member of the Quebec Order of Chartered Accountants. He is married and has two daughters. 

In 2002, Michael Hanley was awarded the Quebec Order of Chartered Accountants' "Jeune CA Décideur". A year later, he was recognized as one of "Canada's Top 40 Under 40^TM" executives. 

October 2005