Ball Packaging Europe Opens New Production Line in Serbia

The leading international beverage can producer’s latest investment in Serbia creates 50 new jobs and will boost production from 750 million to over 1.5 billion aluminum beverage cans a year for distribution to markets in the region and the European Union.

Sep 19 2011 --- A new production line launched at Ball Packaging Europe’s plant in the Belgrade district of Zemun will contribute significantly to the growth of Serbian foreign trade and economic development, with a doubling of can production fully designated for export. The new production line worth €35 million was officially opened by Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia, in the presence of other state officials, global and local representatives of Ball Corporation the parent company of Ball Packaging Europe and local business partners. The leading international beverage can producer’s latest investment in Serbia creates 50 new jobs and will boost production from 750 million to over 1.5 billion aluminum beverage cans a year for distribution to markets in the region and the European Union.

“Ongoing investment in technology development and production capacity, together with investment in human resources, has laid the foundation for the strong global results achieved by Ball, said John Hayes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation. “The factory in Serbia has so far justified our investment. We hope we will continue to do business here successfully into the future."

“The plant in Zemun has previously achieved excellent results and features on the list of the most successful Ball factories in Europe”, said Gerrit Heske, President of Ball Packaging Europe, adding that he hoped other investors in Serbia will follow the example of Ball Packaging Europe and continue to invest in production.

“New investment, aside from confirming the strength and efficiency of our business, leads to growth and expansion into new markets”, said David Banjai, director of the Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade factory. “Currently, production is mainly for export to twelve European countries. Now the aim is to further expand our business into new markets and also to take advantage of favorable trade arrangements with Serbia’s neighboring countries.”

The official opening was attended by 250 guests. In addition to the state officials and representatives of Ball Packaging Europe’s management, the ceremony was conducted in the presence of business partners, employees and media representatives. Serbian President Boris Tadic, alongside the management of Ball Corporation and Ball Packaging Europe, the manager of the Belgrade production plant, planted tree saplings as symbols of longevity and durability to mark the launch of operations at the new production line.

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade was established in 2004. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) declared it the largest greenfield investment in Southeast Europe. Ball’s plant in Belgrade, Zemun, produces 1.5 billion aluminum cans a year, with more than 85% exported to neighboring countries.

Ball Packaging Europe is one of the leading European beverage can manufacturers, employing 2,800 people at 12 sites in Serbia, Germany, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Poland. The company is a subsidiary of Ball Corporation, a supplier of high-quality metal packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,000 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of approx. 7.6 billion US dollars.