Production Begins at RTI's New Virginia Titanium Plant

Production Begins at RTI's New Virginia Titanium Plant

Plant adds new dimension to RTI and Airbus Relationship

Virginia Governor Notes Economic Importance for Martinsville Region

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RTI International Metals, Inc. (NYS: RTI) celebrated today the first production of certified commercial aerospace titanium product at its new, $135 million forging, grinding and hot rolling manufacturing facility in Martinsville, VA. In addition to RTI executives, key executives of Airbus, which will use much of the factory's titanium output to produce the company's passenger jets, and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell attended a ceremony to mark this milestone in the plant's operations.

The startup of commercial titanium production at Martinsville follows more than 10 months of certification testing to meet Airbus's stringent initial qualification requirements. It is an important milestone for RTI and represents continued strengthening of the business connection between RTI and Airbus, one of the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturers.

CEO Comment

"The Martinsville plant is a key new addition to RTI's ability to meet the expanding titanium needs of Airbus. RTI is the largest North American titanium supplier to Airbus and its parent company, EADS, and this new facility adds an additional link in RTI's ability to meet their needs across the entire supply chain," said Dawne Hickton, Vice Chair, President and CEO of RTI.

EADS and Airbus Comment

"EADS, Airbus and RTI's long-term partnership was expanded with the construction of the Martinsville facility. This new plant offers us greater material support due to RTI's increased capacity to produce titanium raw material not only for our A350 XWB aircraft, but to an extended number of EADS and Airbus supply chain partners," said Eric Zanin, Material Procurement Senior Vice President for EADS and Airbus.

Virginia Governor Comment

"We are grateful for our partnership with RTI and Airbus, and RTI's commitment to the economic development of the Martinsville community," said Governor McDonnell. "RTI's $135 million new facility and the employment of more than 25 residents from the community is a true testament of a successful partnership between the private and public sector."

At full capacity, the forging facility can produce up to 14 million pounds of product annually. The RTI plant adds more than 25 manufacturing jobs to the local economy of Martinsville, Henry County and surrounding communities. That number is expected to grow with expansion of the plant's operations. Further qualifications for the grinding and rolling mill processes will take place in the future. When qualifications are finished, RTI expects the facility to deliver titanium for use in all EADS and Airbus programs.

Dignitaries attending the inaugural forging included Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell; Congressmen Robert Hurt and Morgan Griffith; and EADS and Airbus executives Oliver Dreier, Metallic, Forging and Castings Procurement Vice President; Vanesa Puerta Hernandez, Procurement Officer Titanium U.S. Sourcing, and David Williams, Airbus Americas' Vice President Procurement.

RTI International Metals executives included Dawne Hickton, Vice Chair, President and CEO; Harry Klein, General Manager, European Distribution; Chad Whalen, Vice President, General Counsel and Director-Government Relations; and Blaine Salvador, Sr. Director, Titanium Operations.

Ms. Hickton thanked state and local Virginia officials for their cooperation in helping to bring the facility to the region.

Forward Looking Statement

All statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those projected, anticipated or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, global economic and political uncertainties, the concentration of our revenue within the commercial aerospace and defense industries, actual build-rates, production schedules and titanium content per aircraft for commercial and military aerospace programs, the successful completion and integration of completed acquisitions, military spending generally and in particular, demand from the Joint Strike Fighter program, the impact from Boeing 787 production delays, the competitive nature of the markets for specialty metals, the ability of RTI to obtain adequate raw materials, the successful completion of RTI's capital expansion projects, and other risks and uncertainties described and included in RTI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and the exhibits attached thereto. Actual results can differ materially from those forecasted or expected. The information contained in this release is qualified by and should be read in conjunction with the statements and notes filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as may be amended from time to time. The forward-looking statements in this document are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. RTI undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

RTI International Company Description

RTI International Metals, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, specializes in advanced titanium, meeting the requirements of the world's most technologically sophisticated applications in commercial aerospace, defense, propulsion, medical device, energy, industrial, and chemical markets. For over 60 years, RTI has been taking titanium further through advanced manufacturing, engineering, machining, and forming processes. RTI delivers titanium mill products, extruded shapes, form-ready parts, and highly engineered components through our downstream integrated supply chain. RTI has locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

RTI International Metals, Inc.
Richard E. Leone, Director - Investor Relations, 330-544-7622
rleone@rtiintl.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Ohio Pennsylvania Virginia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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