PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown
Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), a leading
supplier of metal packaging products worldwide, celebrated the
opening of its new beverage can manufacturing plant in Nichols, New York with a ribbon cutting
ceremony on May 9. The
state-of-the-art plant, which marks the industry's first greenfield
facility in the United States in
more than 20 years, will support the country's growing demand for
specialty beverage cans. Specialty cans, defined as sizes other
than the standard diameter for 12-ounce beverages, have become a
popular format for a variety of categories including soft drinks,
beer, ready-to-drink teas, coffee, sparkling waters, wine and
spirits, juices and other functional beverages.
"Beverage cans remain a valued, trusted format with consumers
around the world due to their portability, durability and
sustainability. In the United
States, demand for specialty can sizes is flourishing as
brand owners seek to refresh their packaging mix and increase
appeal to different demographics," said Timothy J. Donahue, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Crown. "This new facility reflects Crown's
commitment to support its customers with capacity when and where
they need it and underscores our philosophy of delivering
innovative metal packaging that responds to demands of modern
consumers. On behalf of Crown, I would like to thank our many
partners that supported this initiative, including New York's Empire State Development,
Tioga County, the Town of Nichols and New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
(NYSEG)."
Situated in the Tioga County Industrial Park in the Town of Nichols, the facility produces
two-piece aluminum cans in a range of sizes and is set to create
more than 160 new jobs by 2018. Crown's presence in New York also provides the potential for
further development in the Southern Tier Region, where efforts to
grow the advanced manufacturing sector are underway.
"Through innovative and strategic investments in advanced
manufacturing, New York is driving
economic growth in the Southern Tier and across the
state," said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. "Crown
Holdings' new facility will create good-paying jobs in Tioga County, advance the state's growing
manufacturing industry, and support a stronger, more viable economy
for years to come."
Construction on the 533,853 square foot building began in
December 2015 and commercial
shipments began in late January 2017.
The plant's second manufacturing line was completed in April 2017. Crown currently operates fifteen
beverage can plants in North
America, manufacturing aluminum cans ranging in size from
7.5-ounce to 16-ounce, as well as a variety of beverage can
ends.
"The jobs of tomorrow are being created before our very eyes,"
said New York State Labor
Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "I
applaud the Governor's commitment to this region and this
announcement is further proof that the Southern Tier Soaring
economic development plan is a sound one. As our economy grows, the
Department of Labor stands ready to serve as the connection between
local job seekers and the private sector companies that are
increasingly expanding in and relocating to the State of New York."
"Crown Holdings' decision to choose Tioga County to build its first new U.S. plant
in decades demonstrates the tangible success being generated by the
Southern Tier Soaring economic development plan," said Empire State
Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. "Under Governor Cuomo's
leadership, we are attracting major projects and significant
private sector investment, which is leading to new jobs while
growing local and regional economies throughout New York State."
"NYSEG is pleased to support Crown's growth and development in
Tioga County and the Southern
Tier," stated Mark S. Lynch,
President and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E (Rochester Gas &
Electric). "Since 2010, NYSEG and RG&E have provided more than
$75 million to growing companies
across New York through our
economic development programs."
"We're thrilled to see new doors open to opportunity in
Tioga County through Crown
Holdings," stated Senator Fred
Akshar. "Economic growth like this is only possible thanks
to the hard work and tenacity of our local community leaders. I
applaud Economic Development Director Lee
Ann Tinney, the Tioga County IDA, our local Empire State
Development staff and our local elected officials for working
closely together for years to help transform a possibility into a
tangible success story."
"When an international corporation makes a commitment to our
community such as this impressive new facility, it is a wonderful
reminder and affirmation of all we have to offer," said Assemblyman
Chris Friend. "Our people and
community resources offer a strong world-class competitive asset
that we are proud and grateful to be recognized."
"It was in June of 2015 that Tioga
County first planted the seeds of our partnership with
Crown, and I anticipate that we will continue to nurture this
relationship in the coming years," said Martha Sauerbrey, Chair, Tioga County
Legislature. "I am pleased to officially welcome Crown to
Tioga County as we look forward to
celebrating their great results and important achievements in the
Southern Tier."
"For the Tioga County IDA it has been exciting to have been a
part of a project such as this one with Crown," said Ralph Kelsey, Tioga County IDA Board Chair. "The
capital investment Crown has made in Tioga County, and the jobs that have come
along with the investment, will have a positive financial impact on
all of us for years to come. What we see here today only came about
because of people like Lee Ann
Tinney and her staff, as well as Bryant Myers, who worked hard as a team to pull
various organizations and state agencies together to make this
project happen."
The opening of the new facility coincides with Crown's
125th anniversary year. The Company was founded in 1892
when William Painter changed the
trajectory of the beverage industry with the invention of the
bottle cap (also known as the crown cork). Today, Crown operates
146 facilities in 36 countries and has a diversified metal
packaging technology portfolio that serves the beverage, food,
personal care, household and luxury markets.
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, visit
www.crowncork.com.
For more information, contact:
In the United States:
Ron Skotleski, Director of
Marketing, North America, CROWN
Beverage Packaging; Tel: 1 (215) 718-1303; Email:
Ron.Skotleski@crowncork.com
In South America: Wilmar
Arinelli, President, CROWN Embalagens Metálicas da Amazônia S.A.;
Tel: 55 11 4529 1006; Email: Wilmar.Arinelli@crowncork.com.br
In Europe: Matt Twiss, Marketing & Business Development
Director; Tel: +41 41 759 10 02; Email:
Matthew.Twiss@eur.crowncork.com
In Asia Pacific: Evelyn Lim, Assistant to the President, CROWN
Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd; Tel: 65 6229-4880; Email:
Evelyn.Lim@crowncork.com.sg
For editorial inquiries: Thomas T.
Fischer, Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate
Affairs; Tel: (215) 552-3720; Email:
thomas.fischer@crowncork.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-opens-first-greenfield-beverage-can-facility-in-the-united-states-in-over-20-years-300456988.html
SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.