Key facts about the world's top aluminum producers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Here are key facts about the world's largest aluminum producers. Alcoa Inc. launched a hostile bid worth nearly $27 billion on Monday for Canada's Alcan Inc. after talks between the rivals failed to lead to a deal.

Alcoa Inc.

-- Originally called The Pittsburgh Reduction Company, was renamed in 1907 as the Aluminum Company of America

-- At end 2006, biggest shareholders were: Capital Research & Management Co., with 9.40 percent; Wellington Management Co., with a 9.04 percent; State Street Global Advisors, with a 3.33 percent

-- Sales in 2006 were $30.38 billion. Net income was $2.25 billion, or $2.57 a share.

-- Alumina production in 2006 was 15.1 million tons

-- Worldwide primary aluminum capacity was 4.2 million metric tons

-- Market capitalization based on Friday's closing price was about $31 billion

-- Employs 122,000 people in 44 countries.

Alcan Inc.

-- Predecessor Northern Aluminum Co. was formed in 1902 as the Canadian subsidiary of Pittsburgh Reduction Co. In 1928, Alcan became an independently traded company.

-- At the end of 2006, the biggest shareholders were Capital Guardian Trust, with 7.35 percent; RBC Asset Management Inc., with 3.98 percent; and McLean Budden Ltd., with 3.24 percent.

-- Revenue in 2006 was $23.6 billion. Net income $1.78 billion, or $4.74 a share.

-- Used 11.4 million tons of bauxite to produce 4.9 million tons of smelter-grade alumina in 2006

-- Produced 3.4 million tons of primary aluminum in 2006.

-- Market capitalization based on Friday's closing price was $22.4 billion.

-- Employed about 64,700 people in 61 countries.

United Company RUSAL

-- Founded in March 2007 from merger of RUSAL, SUAL and the alumina assets of Swiss Glencore.

-- RUSAL's shareholders own a 66 percent stake, SUAL's shareholders 22 percent and Glencore 12 percent. The company is not publicly listed, but does plan to go public soon.

-- Annual revenue is estimated to be around $12 billion.

-- Produces 3.9 million tons of aluminum and 10.6 million tons of alumina annually.

-- Employs 100,000 people in 17 countries.

Norsk Hydro

-- Founded in 1905, it is a leading producer of oil and gas and among the world's largest integrated aluminum suppliers.

-- Norwegian government owns 44 percent; Dodge & Cox Inc. about 1.14 percent

-- Produced 1.8 million tons of primary aluminum in 2006. It supplied the market with 3.3 million tons, including 1.2 million tons of remelted and recycled metal.

-- Market capitalization is around $45.27 billion.

-- Aluminum operations employ 26,000 people.

(Additional reporting by Lisa Lee in New York)