RTI reports fourth-quarter and annual loss, looks for improvement in 2010

A declining appetite for titanium led to a fourth-quarter and annual loss for RTI International Metals.

The Pittsburgh-based company, which has a titanium mill and offices in Weathersfield Township, said Thursday it lost $57.3 million in the fourth quarter and $67.2 million for all of 2009.

Annual sales dropped by one third last year.

Results have been pulled down by an unprecedented buildup of titanium in the supply chain for commercial aircraft, the company said.

The buildup follows a two-year delay in the launch of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner and a global recession that has reduced demand, RTI said.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com