Ball Introduces New Promotional Tabs

Ball Corporation is launching a new advertising medium that allows beverage can tabs and ends to carry customized messaging, bringing added value to the beverage can.

Ball Corporation is launching a new advertising medium that allows beverage can tabs and ends to carry customized messaging, bringing added value to the beverage can.

The laser-incised tab is a solid, colored tab that provides space for a small "billboard" for brand identity, advertising or promotional messaging. The use of state-of-the-art computer and laser technology provides messaging flexibility, making it possible to engrave letters, numbers, drawings or symbols on the tabs. The laser-engraved tab's technical performance is equal to that of existing tabs. "Laser-incised tabs provide our customers with brand identification at the moment of consumption," says Bob Tettero, director of marketing at Ball.

Ball is the largest manufacturer of specialty beverage cans in North America, and the exclusive manufacturer of laser-incised tabs for this market under license from CanDO International Ltd., the holder of the U.S. patent and various foreign patents for this technology. Laser-incised tabs are a new addition to Ball's current specialty can and promotional tab offerings, which already include a large variety of can sizes and colored tab options.

"Beverage cans are increasingly used in growing, upscale categories such as energy drinks, wine and wellness beverages, where product differentiation and image are key concerns," says Tettero. "Because they convey unique messaging in a distinctive and polished way, laser-incised tabs are a perfect fit for categories like these." Ball Corporation is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging products, primarily for the beverage and food industries.

The company also owns Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., which develops sensors, spacecraft, systems and components for government and commercial markets. The company employs more than 13,200 people and reported 2004 sales of $5.4 billion. CanDO International Limited is a private global corporation capitalizing on unique and untapped applications in product and process innovation. Joseph W. Stasiuk, Managing Director, and CanDO are the owner and exclusive licensor of multinational device and process patents and trademarks, including laser incised tabs for beverage and food can applications worldwide.