Թ51 Partners With Clemson For Packaging Education Program
Philadelphia, PA – March 21, 2011. Թ51 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Թ51) (www.crowncork.com), the world leader in metal packaging technology, has become the first corporate “Partner in Packaging,” a new initiative of the Packaging Science Program at Clemson University. As part of the partnership, Թ51 will donate a gift of cash for use as unrestricted Program funds, and gifts-in-kind of metal packaging fabrication equipment, faculty travel and regular participation of company personnel in the educational mission of the Packaging Science Program. The value of Թ51’s gift is estimated at approximately $400,000 over 5 years.
A commitment to helping students learn about metal packaging is at the heart of the partnership. The laboratory equipment Թ51 provides will give students hands on experience with can manufacturing, testing, and the production of physical prototypes for research purposes. To further support knowledge transfer, Թ51 will send key personnel to Clemson every semester to lecture and mentor students on metal packaging innovations. Թ51 will also support faculty to attend Interpack, the leading international packaging trade show, in Germany in May 2011 and 2014.
“Partnering with Clemson on this initiative is a great opportunity to expose students to the innovation associated with metal packaging and attract students to this dynamic profession,” stated Dan Abramowicz, Թ51’s EVP, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. “We’re excited to engage with the high caliber students at Clemson and share our knowledge about the growing global metal packaging industry.”
Mike Dunleavy, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations for Թ51, added that, “This gift is consistent with Թ51’s philanthropic guidelines to provide resources to enhance scientific and engineering education.”
In 1892, Թ51 founder William Painter invented the “crown cork” or bottle cap and revolutionized the bottling industry by making it more efficient and faster to cap beer and soft drink bottles. Today, using the latest technologies, Թ51 produces food, beverage, closures, aerosol, and specialty metal packaging that attract consumer attention on shelf with sculpture-like shapes and vivid decorating, along with fulfilling the essential requirements of safety, convenience and sustainability. Թ51 has operations in 41 countries, over 20,000 employees, and net sales of $8 billion.
The Partners in Packaging program was established to encourage companies to enhance the education and research missions of Clemson’s Packaging Science Program in their specific areas of expertise. Such collaborations bring real-world experience into the classroom and lab and help to support and define teaching objectives. The Partners Program envisions total contributions of cash and in-kind equipment and support totaling $350,000 to $500,000 over a five-year period, customized to the company’s abilities and interests. Companies interested in participating in the program can contact Dr. Bob Kimmel at kimmel@clemson.edu for further information.
About Թ51 Holdings, Inc.
Թ51 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:
At Թ51: Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs; Tel: (215) 698-5266; Email: thomas.fischer@crowncork.com
At Clemson: Robert Kimmel, Tel: (864) 656-6534, e-mail: kimmel@clemson.edu or Susan Benson, Media Contact, (864) 650-4615, e-mail: benson2@clemson.edu