Crown to Begin Production of Easylift™ Easy-Open Ends in United States

As marketers seek new ways to appeal to a diverse audience of consumers, convenience has become a major influencer in purchasing decisions. To address this issue, CROWN Food Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), is working with major food marketing companies to introduce its award-winning Easylift™ easy-open ends to North American consumers. Originally launched with Nestlé Purina Petcare Europe in 2007, the ends will be manufactured in Crown’s Massillon, Ohio production facility for the domestic market starting in late 2008.

Easylift™ easy-open ends represent a revolutionary new standard in convenience packaging, an increasingly important attribute for today’s consumers. Offering significantly improved tab access, the new ends retain the benefits of Crown’s Eole® technology while making it simpler and faster for consumers to open canned goods. Now even consumers with limited mobility, such as seniors, children and the physically impaired, can access food can contents without using a can opener or other tools.

“Consumers across the food marketing spectrum are demanding products with convenience features to fit into their personal lifestyles,” comments David Underwood, President, CROWN Food Packaging North America. “Easylift™ easy-open ends enable our customers both in North America and Europe to meet this industry demand, which can help differentiate brands and accelerate product turnover.”

A recent study from the Hartman Group, Inc. (Bellevue, WA) revealed that 66% of consumers say convenience is very important and many are even willing to pay more for it. Twenty percent of consumers participating in the survey would pay up to 5 percent extra for convenience food, and 30 percent would pay as much as 10 percent extra.

Easylift™ easy-open ends can be used on existing can production lines with only minor, one-off adjustments. This feature allows packagers to make the transition without incurring production downtime. The ends also continue to perform through all levels of the supply chain, further contributing to manufacturing efficiencies.

Easylift™ easy-open ends are compatible with a wide range of food applications, including ready meals, fruits, vegetables, fish, dairy and pet food. The ends will initially be available in the 300-diameter size, with other major diameters in development.

A short capabilities video clip can be viewed at www.crowncork.com/easylift/.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.