Sonoco Supplies Parent-friendly Package for Heinz Company's Nurture Growing Baby...

Sonoco Supplies Parent-friendly Package for Heinz Company's Nurture Growing Baby Follow-on Milk

HARTSVILLE, S.C.--(Business Wire)--
Parents in the United Kingdom looking for superior nutrition and
convenience need look no further than the H.J. Heinz Company's Nurture
Growing Baby Follow-on Milk product. The new rigid paperboard can
Heinz recently used to re-launch the product makes portion control and
preparation easy and protects the product inside.

Sonoco (NYSE: SON) one of the largest diversified global packaging
companies, is supplying Heinz with the 127mm x 156mm rigid (900
grams/32 ounces) paperboard cans produced at its plant in Manchester,
England, U.K. Made from two layers of recycled paperboard that are
spiral wound and a high-barrier liner, the cans lock out moisture and
oxygen that could compromise the nutritional integrity of the powdered
infant formula. They also keep the powdered product from clumping so
that it quickly dissolves when it's time to prepare a bottle.

The rigid paperboard can has other parent-friendly features,
including a Sonoco-supplied Sealed Safe(R) peelable membrane closure
with a metal rim seamed onto the can's end and an easy-grip ring pull
that opens the can easily. A new, custom-designed molded plastic
overcap on the package is both innovative and functional--the hinge
allows easy access to the powdered infant formula at feeding time and
closes securely, protecting the product between meals. A plastic scoop
and leveling bar inside the can help parents measure the correct
amount of dry formula, while a tamper-evident tear band indicates
whether or not the package is safe for use.

High-quality Chromolux paper label and six-color, litho-printing
with high-gloss varnish communicate an upscale, yet welcoming, message
to parents seeking the best for their children.

That connection with parents was very important in the selection
of the new package, says Christina Bouzala, H.J. Heinz Company. "Heinz
Nurture Follow-on Milk powdered infant formula is a new brand, with a
new formulation, and replaces Farley's Follow-on Milk product. With
this important launch, we wanted a premium package that would make
preparing baby's milk easier for our customers. The new Sealed-Safe
opening system is much easier to open, while the custom overcap and
scoop help ensure parents use the right amount of formula and provide
their babies with proper nutrition."

Alan Kirby, U.K. sales director for Sonoco, says the Company
welcomed the challenge from Heinz to deliver a package that meets so
many needs. "We're pleased to supply Heinz with a premium package that
meets its requirements--easy to use, adds value through performance
and has shelf appeal."

"More and more companies around the world are choosing to package
powdered infant formula in rigid paperboard cans as a cost-effective
and more sustainable alternative," says Srinivas Nomula, Sonoco market
segment manager. "Sonoco was proud to help Heinz become one of the
first companies outside of the Americas to convert from a steel can to
a round rigid paperboard can."

Heinz Nurture Growing Baby Follow-on Milk powdered infant milk is
available in the United Kingdom at Boots, Tesco, Asda, Superdrug,
Sainsbury, Morrisons and Waitrose.

About Sonoco

Sonoco, founded in 1899, is a global manufacturer of industrial
and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more
than 330 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in 85 nations.
For more information on the Company, visit www.sonoco.com.

About H. J. Heinz Company, Ltd.

H. J. Heinz Company, offering "Good Food Every Day"(TM), is one of
the world's leading marketers and producers of healthy and convenient
foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant
nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for
all eating occasions, whether in the home, restaurants, the office, or
"on-the-go." Heinz products include a global family of leading branded
products, including Heinz(R) Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and
infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz's total sales),
Ore-Ida(R) potato products, Weight Watchers(R) Smart Ones(R) entrees,
Boston Market(R) meals, T.G.I. Friday's(R) frozen snacks and
Plasmon(R) infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on
five continents, showcased by Heinz(R) Ketchup, The World's Favorite
Ketchup(R). Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.

Sonoco
Roger Schrum, 843-339-6018
roger.schrum@sonoco.com
or
Myra Richey 843-383-3333
myra.richey@sonoco.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008