Crown Increases Capability for the Manufacture of Specialty Beverage Cans at Two North American Plants

PHILADELPHIA, March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (Crown) is increasing its capabilities to manufacture specialty beverage can sizes at two of its North American facilities to meet growing demand for energy drinks, juices and beer. Specialty cans - referring to can sizes other than 12oz - grew by more than 13% last year and account for nearly 10% of beverage can shipments in the United States.

At Crown's Batesville, Mississippi plant, one of the existing lines will be converted to add the capability to manufacture 16oz cans. This conversion will enable Crown to cost-effectively supply high-quality, specialty sized beverage containers to customers in the South Central, Southeastern and Midwestern US.

This is the second major conversion at the Batesville plant. In 2004, Crown initiated a significant investment program to enhance production efficiencies and introduce the manufacture of 8oz beverage cans.

Crown's Montreal facility is converting its beverage production line to handle multiple container sizes on an interchangeable basis. This swing line will enable production of 5.5oz and 8.3oz slim cans, as well as standard 12oz and 16oz containers, enhancing the flexibility of the manufacturing process to meet changing market demands.

"Crown is committed to offering Brand-Building Packaging(TM) solutions that satisfy changing market needs and modern consumer preferences," comments Tom Fischer, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, CROWN Beverage Packaging USA. "Taking these production steps in Batesville and Montreal supports that strategy as well as Crown's long-term commitment to our customers."

"In addition to offering improved products through innovations like the SuperEnd(R) beverage end, expanding our production of specialty can sizes will further strengthen our ability to supply customers with the packaging they need to build brand equity and loyalty with consumers," adds Mark Ketcheson, Vice President, Sales, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada L.P.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA.

For more information, contact: In the United States: Tom Fischer, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, CROWN Beverage Packaging USA, Inc.; Tel: (215) 698-5266; Email: thomas.fischer@crowncork.com. In Canada: Mark Ketcheson, Vice President, Sales, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada L.P.; Tel: (905) 660-2174; Email: mark.ketcheson@crowncork.com. In Europe: Caroline Archer-Reed, Marketing Director, CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East; Tel: +33 1 49 18 40 43; Email: caroline.archer-reed@eur.crowncork.com. For editorial inquiries: Michael F. Dunleavy, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations; Tel: (215) 698-5051; Email: mdunleavy@crowncork.com. For investors: Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President - Finance; Tel: (215) 698-5088.