Ball Acquires Reynolds' Beverage Can Assets

Ball Corporation has acquired the domestic beverage can business assets of Reynolds Metals Company, making the company the largest manufacturer of recyclable aluminum beverage cans in North America.

The acquisition includes 16 Reynolds can and end manufacturing plants in 12 states and Puerto Rico, as well as the Richmond, VA, headquarters for Reynolds' beverage can manufacturing business. Ball said it will close the Richmond facility and consolidate headquarters operations at Ball offices near Denver, CO.

Ball now operates 25 beverage can and end manufacturing plants in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico with an annual production capacity in excess of 35 billion cans.

"We are pleased to have made the Reynolds acquisition, and we will begin immediately the process of integrating the Reynolds business into our North American beverage can operations," said George A. Sissel, chairman and CEO.

Reynolds was a pioneer in the production of two-piece aluminum beverage cans and has made numerous advances in the design and production of both cans and easy-opening can ends. Reynolds produces in excess of 17 billion cans annually on 33 production lines.

Ball Corporation produces rigid metal and plastics packaging products for foods and beverages and provides aerospace and other technologies to governmental and commercial customers.