Ball to reduce US 12oz beverage can and end capacity

Ball Corporation is ceasing production at two North American beverage packaging manufacturing plants to consolidate the company's 12oz beverage can and end production capacity to meet changing market demand.

Ball will cease production at its metal beverage packaging plants in Columbus, Ohio, and Gainesville (US), by the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, subject to customer requirements.

The Columbus plant employs approximately 110 people and currently operates two of four existing lines that produce standard 12oz cans. The Gainesville plant employs approximately 125 people and produces several different beverage can ends for standard can sizes.

Ball expects to record a total after-tax charge of approximately $30m, primarily for employee severance and benefits, facility shut down costs and other actions. The majority of the charge is expected to be recorded in the third quarter of 2012.

Source: Ball Corporation

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