Table of Contents negatively impacted segment operating profit margin by $37, or 150 basis points, in 2017 compared with 2016. In 2019, demand in the North America commercial transportation, brazing, and industrial end markets is expected to grow as a result of the International Trade Commission initiated common alloy trade case. Demand in the automotive end market is expected to continue to grow due to the growing demand for innovative products and aluminum-intensive vehicles. Demand from the commercial airframe end market is expected to be flat as the ramp-up of new programs is offset by lower build rates for aluminum intensive wide-body programs. Net productivity improvements are anticipated to continue. The Transportation and Construction Solutions segment produces products that are used mostly in the commercial transportation and nonresidential building and construction end markets. Such products include integrated aluminum structural systems, architectural extrusions, and forged aluminum commercial vehicle wheels, which are sold both directly to customers and through distributors. A small part of this segment also produces aluminum products for the industrial products end market. Generally, the sales and costs and expenses of this segment are transacted in the local currency of the respective operations, which are primarily the U.S. dollar, the euro, and the Brazilian real. On July 31, 2018, the Company announced that it had initiated a sale process of its Building and Construction Systems (BCS) business, as part of the Company’s ongoing strategy and portfolio review that commenced in January 2018. BCS generated third-party sales of approximately $1,140, $1,070, and $1,010 for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The sale process continues to progress. The Company’s decision regarding whether to sell the business will not be finalized until final binding offers are evaluated. Until the Company makes that final decision, the BCS business will remain classified as held and in-use in the Consolidated Financial Statements. On April 2, 2018, Arconic completed the sale of its Latin America extrusions business as part of its continued drive to streamline its business portfolio, reduce complexity and further focus on its higher-margin products and profitable growth. This business generated sales of $25, $115, and $103 in 2018, 2017, and 2016 respectively, and had 612 employees at the time of the divestiture. See Restructuring and Other Charges under Results of Operations above. Third-party sales for the Transportation and Construction Solutions segment increased $115, or 6%, in 2018 compared with 2017, primarily driven by higher volumes in the commercial transportation and building and construction end markets, favorable foreign currency movements and higher aluminum prices, partially offset by the absence of sales of $90 resulting from the divestiture of the Latin America extrusions business in April 2018. Third-party sales for this segment increased $209, or 12%, in 2017 compared with 2016, primarily driven by increased volumes in the commercial transportation and building and construction end markets, higher aluminum pricing, and favorable foreign currency movements, partially offset by lower product pricing. Segment operating profit for the Transportation and Construction Solutions segment increased $14, or 5%, in 2018 compared with 2017, principally driven by higher volumes in the commercial transportation and building and construction end markets and net cost savings, which more than offset higher aluminum prices. The higher aluminum prices negatively impacted segment operating margin by $57, or 270 basis points, in 2018 compared with 2017. Segment operating profit for this segment increased $44, or 18%, in 2017 compared with 2016, principally driven by net cost savings and higher volumes, partially offset by lower product pricing in the heavy-duty truck market, unfavorable product mix, and higher aluminum prices. The higher aluminum prices negatively impacted segment operating margin by $8, or 90 basis points, in 2017 compared with 2016. In 2019, we expect continued growth in the North American and European commercial transportation and building and construction markets and continued demand for innovative products. Net productivity improvements are anticipated to continue. 42 Transportation and Construction Solutions 2018 2017 2016 Third-party sales $ 2,126 $ 2,011 $ 1,802 Segment operating profit $ 304 $ 290 $ 246