Ball Names Erik Bouts to Lead Global Metal Beverage Packaging Business

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball (NYSE: BLL) today announced that Erik Bouts, 53, will join the company as senior vice president, Ball Corporation, and chief operating officer, global metal beverage packaging, effective Feb. 1, 2015. Bouts will report directly to John A. Hayes, chairman, president and CEO and he will be based in Zurich, Switzerland.

"Erik is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in global manufacturing environments," Hayes said. "His demonstrated track record in providing direction amidst competitive and changing global markets, building strong customer relationships, leveraging organizational capabilities and leading diverse, dynamic teams aligns well with Ball's culture and vision for the future."

Bouts will lead Ball's global metal beverage packaging business as the company continues to maximize value and leverage technological expertise, broaden its geographic reach, expand into new products and capabilities, and align with the right global and regional customers and markets. The regional metal beverage packaging business unit presidents in North America, Europe, Asia and Brazil will report to him.

Bouts most recently was president of Owens-Illinois, Europe. His professional experience also includes serving as chief executive officer at The Glidden Company, a subsidiary of AkzoNobel, and a variety of positions at the Philips Group, including leading the shaving and grooming business unit and president and chief executive officer of Philips Lighting North America.

Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer, who assumed interim responsibility as chief operating officer for the global metal beverage business earlier this year, will resume his primary responsibilities.

"I'd like to thank Scott for the tremendous work he has done while taking on this additional role," Hayes said. "Our global beverage business is very well positioned and we are excited to add Erik to our leadership team."

About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2013 sales of $8.5 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt.

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SOURCE Ball Corporation