Sonoco Protective Solutions to Open New Molded Foam Plant in Central Mexico

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HARTSVILLE, S.C., March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonoco Protective Solutions, North America's largest manufacturer of molded foam components and packaging solutions and a unit of Sonoco (NYSE: SON), today announced that it intends to open a new manufacturing facility in Celaya, Guanajuato Mexico, to meet growing demand for its products. Sonoco will invest up to $10.5 million in the new plant and will create more than 200 new manufacturing jobs when the plant is in full operation.

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Sonoco will build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to produce molded foam products for the automotive, appliance, aerospace, industrial and medical markets. The facility in Celaya is currently under construction with production scheduled to begin by late 2013.

"Sonoco is experiencing strong demand for its products in the U.S. and Mexico and as a result, we need to increase our manufacturing capacity and flexibility," said Vicki Arthur, vice president, Global Protective Solutions. "This new state-of-the-art plant in Celaya will allow us to better serve our customers in Central Mexico and better position us to capitalize on the tremendous growth that is occurring in the region."

"Mexico continues to attract employers of all sizes that are looking to create jobs and grow their business," said Guanajuato Governor Lic. Miguel Marquez Marquez. "This investment in Celaya will continue to strengthen the economy in Guanajuato."

"Bringing more manufacturing jobs to Celaya is good news for the community and the people who live here," said Arq. Ismael Perez Ordaz, mayor of Celaya Town, Guanajuato. "Sonoco has chosen well in deciding to locate its new plant in Celaya. The area's highly trained workforce and strong business climate make it a prime location for these types of jobs."

Sonoco Protective Solutions is the industry leader in highly engineered, custom-designed molded foam components and packaging in North America. To learn more about the Sonoco Protective Solutions business, visit www.sonocoprotectivesolutions.com.

About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.8 billion, the Company has 19,900 employees working in 347 facilities in 34 countries, serving many of the world's best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2012/2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

SOURCE Sonoco