Business Management - Operations

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio—GEW has donated a seven-lamp ECP UV system with e-brick electronic power supplies to aid research and development activities at Clemson University’s new Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics.

HARTSVILLE, S.C.—Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, will speak to the investment community on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at the Goldman Sachs 2009 Basic Materials Conference in New York City.

MARIETTA, Ga.—Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, announced that it has closed on the sale of its Salt Lake City, Utah, multi-wall bagging equipment business. This facility specializes in the production of multi-wall bagging equipment, which is non-core to Graphic's strategy.

Corn Products International, Inc. announced that its board of directors has appointed Ilene Gordon chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective May 4, succeeding Samuel C. Scott III who, consistent with Company policy that senior executives step down by age 65, is retiring.

Bosch Packaging Technology, a supplier of holistic systems in the world of packaging and process technology, is changing the company names of some of its subsidiaries, effective April 2, 2009.

Surviving and growing in a tough competitive environment requires the capability to focus on a core business mission, while having the flexibility to respond to ever-changing market trends. Associated Labels (www.associated-labels.com), a Vancouver, Canada-based printing and packaging enterprise, is one company that has found much success adapting its core business (flexo-printed prime labels) with changing market demands (capabilities for flexible packaging and digital printing).

Sonoco announced that it will permanently close its Lancaster, Ohio, uncoated recycled paperboard mill, effective May 16, 2009, according to James Harrell, division vice president and general manager, Paper North America.

The Flexible Packaging Association announced its 2009 Board of Directors. Directors are elected by FPA voting members through mail ballot. Directors are elected for a term of one year and assume their directorship at the FPA Annual Meeting.

LUXEMBOURG—Flint Group has announced a customer-oriented organization structure aimed at enabling customers to have full access to Flint Group’s broad product portfolio through a single sales contact, supported by in-depth technical support. The company said this will align the organization to market segments and customer applications enabling Flint Group to provide advantages to customers through value, quality, and innovation while delivering enhanced benefits on a communication, technical expertise, service, and support level at a lower cost.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, has granted final approval of its $750 million debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit facility, which provides the company with access to the full amount of the facility.