Full Description

Bemis Company, Inc., incorporated in 1885, is a manufacturer of flexible packaging products and pressure sensitive materials. The Company sells its products to customers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments: Flexible Packaging and Pressure Sensitive Materials. During the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 83% of the Company’s sales were derived from the Flexible Packaging segment, and approximately 17% were derived from the Pressure Sensitive Materials segment. The Company’s products are sold to customers primarily in the food industry. Other customers include companies in the businesses, such as chemical, agribusiness, medical, pharmaceutical, personal care, electronics, automotive, construction, graphic industries and other consumer goods.

In June 2009, the Company acquired the South American rigid packaging operations of Huhtamaki Oyj, a manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging. This rigid packaging business includes three facilities in Brazil and one facility in Argentina. In this transaction, Bemis acquired the common stock of Huhtamaki Plasticos Rigidos Brasil Ltda and Huhtamaki Argentina S.A.

Flexible Packaging Segment

The Flexible Packaging segment manufactures a range of food, consumer goods and industrial packaging. Multilayer flexible polymer film structures and laminates are sold for food, medical and personal care products, as well as non-food applications utilizing vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging. Additional products include blown and cast stretch film products, carton sealing tapes and application equipment, custom thermoformed plastic packaging, multiwall and single-ply paper bags, printed paper roll stock and bag closing materials. Markets for its products include processed and fresh meat, liquids, frozen foods, cereals, snacks, cheese, coffee, condiments, candy, pet food, bakery, seed, lawn and garden, tissue, fresh produce, personal care and hygiene, disposable diapers, printed shrink overwrap for the food and beverage industry, agribusiness, pharmaceutical, minerals and medical device packaging.

The Company competes with Alcan Packaging, Amcor Limited, Exopack Company, Hood Packaging Corporation, Bryce Corporation, Pliant Corporation, Printpack, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Winpak Ltd. and Wihuri OY.

Pressure Sensitive Materials Segment

The Pressure Sensitive Materials segment manufactures pressure sensitive adhesive coated paper and film substrates sold into label markets, graphic markets and technical markets. Products for label markets include narrow-web rolls of pressure sensitive paper, film and metalized film printing stocks used in high-speed printing and die-cutting of primary package labeling, secondary or promotional decoration, and for high-speed, high-volume electronic data processing (EDP) stocks, bar code labels and numerous laser printing applications. Primary markets include food and consumer goods, inventory control labeling, shipping labels, postage stamps and laser/ink jet printed labels.

Products for graphic markets include pressure sensitive films used for decorative signage through computer-aided plotters, digital and screen printers, and photographic overlaminate and mounting materials, including optically clear films with built-in ultraviolet inhibitors. Offset printers, sign makers and photo labs use these products on short-run and/or digital printing technology to create signs or vehicle graphics. Primary markets are indoor and outdoor signage, photograph and digital print overlaminates and vehicle graphics.

Products for technical markets are pressure sensitive materials that are technically engineered for performance in varied industrial applications. They include micro-thin film adhesives used in delicate electronic parts assembly and pressure sensitives utilizing foam and tape based stocks to perform fastening and mounting functions. Tapes sold to medical markets feature medical-grade adhesives suitable for direct skin contact. Primary markets are electronics, automotive, construction, medical, and pharmaceuticals.

The Company competes with 3M, Acucote, Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation, Flexcon Corporation, Green Bay Packaging Inc., Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ritrama Inc., Spinnaker Industries, Inc., Technicote Inc., UPM-Kymmene Corporation and Wausau Coated Products Inc.