Displaying items by tag: sonoco

Plant will produce plastic containers and closures for new personal care contract

Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, will be developing a new rigid plastic container operation in the new Beauty and Home Care campus in New Albany, Ohio. The new plant is expected to be operational by the end of the second quarter of 2012.

According to Rodger Fuller, vice president of Rigid Paper and Plastics, Sonoco will build a 120,000-plus square-foot plant and install several PET injection stretch blow-molding and injection molding lines to produce packaging and components for personal care products. Total cost of the plant building and equipment is projected to be approximately $15 million and the operation will employ approximately 60 new workers. Sonoco Plastics also operates a food-grade, blow-molding and injection molding plant in Columbus, Ohio, which was expanded in 2011.

Steve Gendreau, Sonoco Plastic's division vice president and general manager, blowmolding, said the new plant is being developed to produce containers and components for personal care products for Mast Global, the sourcing and logistics division of Limited Brands. Limited Brands represents some of the Beauty and Home Care industries most recognizable premium brands with Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body Works, Pink, LaSenza, and Henri Bendel. Initially, Sonoco's new plant will produce products for Limited Brands' Bath and Body Works stores.

"Limited Brands has been an important customer of Sonoco for several years and we are pleased to continue this important relationship with the development of a new facility in the New Albany/Columbus area," said Gendreau.

"Sonoco Plastics is a leader in designing and producing innovative, customized rigid plastic packaging for some of the largest personal care brands in North America. We look forward to expanding our offering through this new state-of-the-art facility and hope to further grow this operation in the future."

Sonoco Plastics is a leading manufacturer of monolayer and multilayer blow-molded bottles and jars, thermoformed cups and trays and engineered molded and extruded containers, spools and trays. The Company has 28 plastics operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Netherlands and Germany.

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Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, is making multi-million dollar investments in three of its European uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) mills to improve their energy efficiency, product range and environmental performance. The projects will be completed during scheduled downtime in August and September 2011.

 

According to Adam Wood, division vice president and general manager of Sonoco-Alcore, "These investments are part of a continuing program to improve the product quality and cost competitiveness of our European mills, which are the largest producers of coreboard in Europe. Our commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction are at the forefront of our thinking during our capital planning process."

 

"Our Cirie (TO), Italy, mill will benefit from a new DCS, a new energy-from-biogas system, and CHP upgrades and we are improving our effluent treatment system," said Dino Kiriakopoulos, director of Sonoco-Alcore's European Operations. "Our investment in Cirie continues our 2010 capital investment efforts, which are focused on lowering energy costs and continuing to be good stewards of the environment."

 

Kiriakopoulos said that Sonoco-Alcore also will be making additional investments at its Kilkis, Greece, and Nordhorn, Germany, mills this summer.

 

"At Kilkis, we will be installing a new high-efficiency boiler, heat recovery system and drive upgrades that will significantly lower energy costs and provide some capacity expansion. At Nordhorn, we are upgrading our refining and press sections to further reduce the steam and electricity consumption for each tonne of the high quality specialty board produced there."

 

SOURCE: Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l.

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Sonoco one of the largest diversified global packaging companies and one of the largest packaging recyclers in North America, today announced goals aimed at moving its manufacturing plants to landfill-free status, according to Harris DeLoach Jr., chairman and chief executive officer.

 

To achieve landfill-free status, Sonoco operations must divert 99 percent of all wastes from landfills, said DeLoach. The Company has implemented employee-driven programs at five manufacturing plants in the Company's Packaging Services, Consumer Packaging, and Tubes and Cores operations that are focused on reducing waste streams to less than 1 percent (on a waste-to-landfill ratio) by the end of 2011. In addition, the Company has established a goal to have 10 percent of the Company's global manufacturing operations achieve landfill-free status by 2015.

 

"As one of the largest packaging recyclers in North America, we have established programs through our Sonoco Sustainability Solutions, LLC (S3) service that are eliminating landfill wastes at our customers' manufacturing plants and have moved 10 plants to land fill-free status," said DeLoach. "While we have always worked to reduce landfill wastes from our own plants, we are now focused on taking the next step in moving our operations to landfill-free status where possible."

 

Sonoco's Winston-Salem, N.C., corrugated point-of-purchase display manufacturing facility is the Company's first plant to move to landfill-free status, according to David Holcomb, director of manufacturing, Sonoco-Corrflex. The plant is equipped with corrugators and converting equipment, including die cutters, printing presses, folding and gluing lines, and its waste stream included corrugated materials, plastic films, wraps, bands, ink containers, cutting dies, batteries and standard facility recyclables.

 

Beginning in 2008, the plant's employees formed a "Green Team" that was initially focused on reducing the plant's landfill wastes by 50 percent over 18 months. Within that time frame, they were able to reduce wastes by 65 percent and currently are achieving a less than 1 percent waste-to-landfill ratio. As a result of its employees' efforts, the Winston-Salem plant was honored with a 2010 North Carolina Triad Green Award for its waste reduction improvement.

 

"The most important lesson learned was to never accept 'it can't be done' as an answer," said Holcomb. "A case in point was cutting dies (used to perforate displays from sheets of corrugating paper). Historically, there was no outlet for diverting dies from landfills. However, through the work of our team and suggestions from a customer, we have now sent some 65,000 pounds of dies to a waste to energy facility."

 

Sonoco-Corrflex has set up recycling programs in two other fulfillment/promotional pack sites, and has identified other operations in which it will work to move to landfill-free status in the near future. In addition, Sonoco has programs in place at the Company's Hartsville tubes and cores converting plant and its West Chicago, Ill., composite can plant to achieve landfill-free status by end of 2011.

 

In related news, Sonoco also released its 2010-2011 Annual Sustainability Report, which outlines the Company's continued progress in achieving its global sustainability targets. Interested stakeholders can view the report on-line at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sonoco.com%2Fsustainability&esheet=6803764&lan=en-US&anchor=www.sonoco.com%2Fsustainability&index=1&md5=a430abe0c205b5ac18efd28fc44f14d7. As an added feature, sections of the report can be viewed by scanning QR codes.

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Sonoco UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies and the world's largest producer of paperboard cans, has completed the acquisition of the assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging Ltd., a division of Robinson PLC (LSE: RBN).

 

The acquisition will add approximately $10 million in annual sales and includes customer contracts, as well as other business assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging. As part of the transaction, Sonoco will assume operation of Robinson's Chesterfield paperboard can plant located on Goyt Side Road. Employees at the Chesterfield plant will be retained.

 

"The purchase of Robinson Paperboard Packaging is a good strategic fit with Sonoco's growing global rigid paper container operations," said Sean Cairns, general manager of Sonoco Rigid Paper and Closures, Europe. "We believe Robinson's proven expertise in innovative paper bottom technology and unique, patented processes provide a strong platform for our continued development and growth in the United Kingdom and Europe."

 

Cairns added, "This agreement is a win for Robinson, Sonoco and our packaging customers, who are increasingly recognizing the proven advantages that rigid paper containers bring in terms of reducing costs and minimizing the impact on the environment - without compromising quality. Packaging made from rigid paper reduces package weight, makes more efficient use of raw materials and conserves energy."

 

With origins dating back to 1839, Robinson Paperboard Packaging manufactures rigid paperboard tubes and boxes for the food, drink, toiletries, cosmetics and the gift/presentation markets. The Chesterfield plant is ISO 14001 environmentally accredited, and also has British Retail Consortium/IoP Food Hygiene and ISO 9001 accreditation. Sonoco will continue to work with other parts of Robinson, including its plastics packaging division for the supply of plastic overcaps.

 

Sonoco has been operating in the UK since 1923 and now has more than 600 employees engaged in consumer and industrial packaging operations at 10 locations. Sonoco operates 44 facilities throughout 15 European countries with annualized sales of more than $700 million and more than 5,000 employees. The Company is the world's largest manufacturer of rigid paperboard containers, producing a variety of round and shaped spiral-wound, recycled paperboard cans, fiber cartridges and single-wrap paperboard containers, serving a variety of food and non-food markets. Sonoco's rigid paperboard operations include operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

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Sonoco has announced that it would increase the price for all grades of uncoated recycled paperboard by $50 per ton and by 5 to 8 percent for tubes and cores, effective with shipments beginning June 6, 2011. The price changes are necessary due to higher base raw materials, chemicals, repair materials and freight costs.

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Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, announced today that neither its Hartselle steel reels plant or nailwood/plywood reel producing plant received any damage as a result of last week's violent weather in Alabama. Although the Hartselle area remains impacted by storm-related power outages, both plants are currently operating using power produced by backup generators.

 

"Fortunately, none of our associates in Hartselle were physically injured by the dangerous storms," said James Harrell, vice president, Industrial Carriers, N.A. "Both plants suffered temporary disruptions in service due to the power outages, so our Jefferson, Texas, Sonoco Reels plant operated throughout the weekend to handle any unexpected customer emergencies.

 

"Both our steel reels plant and the nailwood/plywood reels plant were switched to back-up generators over the weekend and are currently operating," added Harrell. "Because it's unclear how long both facilities will be on temporary power, we are asking our customers to work closely with their normal customer service contacts to distinguish between forecast and more immediate demand requirements."

 

Sonoco Reels is the most comprehensive provider of reels produced from nailed wood, plywood, poly-fibers, molded plastic and steel materials. Reels produced by Sonoco are used by the wire and cable industry to serve the power transmission and distribution; telecommunications; commercial and industrial building; oil and gas; mining and marine industries.

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Sonoco Alcore S.a.r.l. will increase the price of coreboard and uncoated recycled board in Europe by 40 Euros/ 35 GBP effective May 9, 2011. This price increase is an addition to the earlier price increase announced in February 2011.

 

"Recovered fiber, starch, chemicals and energy costs have continued to increase. The current inflationary environment may mean further increases in the summer if the pricing of our base raw materials continues to rise at the current pace," said Adam Wood, vice president, Sonoco-Alcore Europe.

 

"Our tube and core business is also being negatively impacted, and we will likely enter a new phase of price increases, there, too, also in May."

 

Sonoco Alcore S.a.r.l. is a wholly owned by Sonoco (NYSE: SON) and operates six paper mills, 32 tube and core factories, and a recycling division in Europe.

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Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that its 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders is now available on the Company's Web site at www.sonoco.com, in the "Investor Relations" section. The annual report entitled, "Ready to Grow," reviews Sonoco's financial performance in 2010 while highlighting how the Company made good on its commitment to grow and expand its business in the recovering economy.

 

"One year removed from the worst recession since the Great Depression, we turned in one of our strongest performances in Company history," Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, wrote in his letter to shareholders in the 2010 Annual Report. "Sales reached a record, growing 15 percent, which was our highest growth rate in 15 years. Base earnings improved 33 percent and reached the second best performance in Company history. And, most importantly, our shareholders were rewarded with a 19.2 percent total return on their investment, including a 28th consecutive annual increase to cash dividends.

 

"Clearly, this performance says a lot about the strength of Sonoco's balanced portfolio of diversified global consumer and industrial packaging products and services. But more importantly, it says a lot about our people. I'm extremely proud of the way our employees responded going into, and especially coming out of, the recession. As we enter 2011, we are firmly back on track and more than ever we're 'Ready to Grow.'"

 

The 2010 Annual Report features Sonoco achievements in a two-page section called Sonoco Worldwide 2010. It includes a global map and highlights 21 projects or initiatives the Company completed during the year in different regions of the world. This section is followed by several articles that continue to highlight Company successes, including: Sonoco's growing presence in private label packaging; its new Sonoco Plastics brand; its acquisition of thermoforming packaging leader Associated Packaging Technologies (APT); growth of its Sonoco Recycling business; and the positive impact of green energy on its reels and spools business.

 

Sonoco has mailed the 2010 annual report and proxy statement to its shareholders in preparation for its annual meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at the Center Theater, 212 North Fifth Street, Hartsville, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. For those unable to attend the meeting in person, a live webcast can be accessed via the Internet at www.sonoco.com, under the "Latest News" section. Those planning to participate should plan to connect to the live webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the start. The meeting webcast also will be archived on the "Investor Relations" section of Sonoco's Web site.

 

SOURCE: Sonoco

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Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced officer appointments in its Consumer Packaging segment, according to Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer.


Rodger D. Fuller, 49, has been named vice president, Global Rigid Paper and Plastics, and has responsibility for the Company's largest consumer packaging operations, including global composite cans, rigid plastics and closure businesses. He reports to Jack Sanders, president and chief operating officer, and is a member of the Sonoco's executive committee.


Prior to this appointment, Fuller was vice president, Global Rigid Paper and Closures. He joined Sonoco in 1985 and has held a number of senior leadership positions including vice president, Rigid Paper and Plastics--North America; division vice president, Consumer Products Division--Europe; and president Sonoco Limited, Canada. Fuller graduated from Berry College, Rome, Georgia, with a B.S. degree in business administration and received an MBA from Emory University.


R. Howard Coker, 48, has been named vice president, Global Rigid Paper and Closures, and has global responsibility for the Company's composite can, and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures businesses. He continues to report to Fuller.


Prior to this promotion, Coker was vice president, Rigid Paper and Closures--North America. He has held several leadership positions within the Company, including division vice president and general manager, Sonoco Phoenix; director of sales and marketing, Rigid Paper and Plastics--North America; and general manager, Asia/Pacific, Rigid Paper and Plastics. Coker is a graduate of Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., with a B.A. degree in business administration and received an M.A. degree in business administration from Wake Forest University.


Marcy Thompson, 49, has been elected an officer of the Company and named vice president, Rigid Paper and Closures--North America, and will have responsibility for the Company's composite can, and ends and closures operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, reporting to Coker.


Prior to this appointment, Thompson was division vice president and general manager of Sonoco Recycling, Inc. Thompson joined Sonoco in 2006 and was previously division vice president and general manager, Industrial Products Division (IPD)--North America, and division vice president of sales and marketing, IPD--North America. Thompson joined Sonoco from General Electric's Commercial Finance business, where she was chief marketing officer. She previously held several sales, marketing and business leadership positions with General Electric, The Gillette Company and Inland Steel Company. She is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. degree in Metallurgy, and has earned a Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification.


Robert L. Puechl, 55, has been named vice president, Global Flexible Packaging, and has responsibility for Sonoco's flexible packaging operations, including eight converting plants in the United States, Canada and Malaysia, and the Company's global brand management business. He reports to Rob C. Tiede, vice president, Global Flexibles and Packaging Services.


Prior to this appointment, Puechl was vice president, Global Rigid Plastics. Puechl began his career with Sonoco in 1986 and has served in a variety of manufacturing and management positions in the Company's consumer plastics businesses including serving as division vice president and general manager, Molded Plastics, and division vice president of manufacturing, High Density Film Products. Before joining Sonoco, he worked in manufacturing with Burlington Industries. Puechl holds a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State University.

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Thursday, 10 February 2011 10:23

Sonoco-Alcore to Increase European Paperboard Prices

Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l. will increase prices for all uncoated recycled paperboard grades in all European markets by 50 Euro, or £45,per metric ton on all shipments effective February 28, 2011.


"We continue to operate in inflationary conditions," said Adam Wood, vice president, Sonoco-Alcore Europe. "Recovered paper prices are still increasing, driven by global supply and demand, and this coupled with starch and other key materials is forcing us to pass increases through to our customers. We have still not fully recovered raw material rises in 2010 even with the cost reduction programs we had in place. We can no longer absorb the magnitude of these increases.


"Our tube and core business has also been negatively affected by these events, and we will again need to pass these coreboard increases through to our customers. Our customers recognize that we have tried to minimize this impact but such unprecedented conditions provide us with few alternatives," added Wood.

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