LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — For the second time this fall, a key Ford supplier has gone up in flames, and this one hit just as the automaker was trying to regain its footing.

Another fire broke out on Nov. 20 at Novelis Inc.’s aluminum plant in Oswego, NY, the same facility that produces the aluminum sheet metal used for Ford Motor Co.’s bestselling F-Series pickups. The site supplies an estimated 40% of all aluminum sheet for U.S. automakers, making any disruption immediately felt inside America’s truck plants.

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Novelis said the fire began around 8:45 a.m. and was extinguished by the afternoon. Workers were evacuated safely, and crews remained on-site to monitor the building. The company said it is too early to determine production impacts, but Ford did confirm it is in contact with Novelis and tracking the situation.

Investors reacted quickly, however, with Ford shares slipping 3.7% on Nov. 20 to $12.41.

The incident follows a more serious Sept. 16 fire that damaged the plant’s hot mill—the piece of equipment that forms aluminum sheets used across the auto industry. That blaze forced Ford to halt F-150 Lightning assembly, cut shifts at its truck and SUV factories, and lower its 2025 earnings guidance. 

Ford executives had said this week that repairs at Novelis were “on track,” with the aim of restarting operations around Thanksgiving or early December. 

To offset lost volume, Ford plans to build more than 50,000 additional F-Series trucks in 2026, including the creation of a new third shift at Dearborn Truck with 1,200 workers. Additional hiring is set for Dearborn Stamping and Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing to support higher output. 

At Kentucky Truck Plant, Ford will boost Super Duty output by increasing the line speed and adding more than 100 employees. The company is investing $60 million at the site for training and improvements tied to the production ramp.

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For now, Ford is once again waiting on Novelis, and hoping this fire season is finally over.