Alcoa restructures global products unit

NEW YORK (AP) -- Alcoa Inc., the largest U.S. aluminum producer, said Thursday it has shuffled management in its Global Primary Products business to better position it for growth. The company named John Thuestad, 49, as chief operating officer for Global Primary Products (GPP) Worldwide, effective immediately. He was previously president of the division's U.S. branch, a position now being filled by Bob Wilt. Jean-Pierre Gilardeau, 57, is the new company's president for GPP for North America and Iceland. Alcoa also boosted its annual forecast for global aluminum consumption, driven by higher demand from China. Shares of Alcoa rose 46 cents, or 4 percent, to close at $12.01.