Crown Wins Multiple MPMA 'Best In Metal' Awards

CROWN Aerosols Europe topped the Aerosol category with a limited edition package created for The Gillette Company.

23/12/06 Honors Include Supreme Gold Award for Stunning Ballantine's Hip Flask

Crown Holdings, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary companies have been recognized with a total of nine "Best in Metal" Awards from the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA), including the Supreme Gold Award, the competition's highest honor.

This special prize was awarded for the distinctive embossed steel Hip Flask designed by CROWN Speciality Packaging for Ballantine's Scotch Whisky. Crown worked closely with Hot Shop and the Ballantine's brand team to create the unusual pillow effect on the body of the flask, which features embossing at a level of 3mm, over five times the normal level of emboss for standard spirits tins. The pillow effect is accentuated by intricate blind emboss stitching and Soft Touch varnish. Pearlescent inks add depth and movement. In addition to the Supreme Gold Award, the Ballantine's Hip Flask received the Gold Award in the Consumer Appeal category.

CROWN Speciality Packaging was recognized in several other categories, including the competition's new Sustainability category for its range of lightweighted steel containers for Cadbury biscuits. These packages significantly reduced material use and overall weight, while the nested shapes minimize the use of transportation resources and emissions. The container also features water-based finishes, eliminating the use of solvents. The shaped packaging also won top honors in the Flour & Sugar Confectionery category for its unique stand-up oval design that maximizes shelf impact.

The group's range of decorative steel containers designed for William Grant & Sons Glenfiddich whisky prevailed in the Promotional & Giftware Category. The canisters show the versatility of metal packaging by featuring the traditional premium quality of Glenfiddich on the top half of the package while the bottom half reflects a modern take on the brand.

CROWN Bevcan Europe & Middle East received the Gold Award in the New Products or New Market Applications category for the 10-ounce Heineken Keg Can introduced in liquor, supermarket and convenience stores in Puerto Rico. The package is the latest addition to the Heineken Keg Can family, which also includes 12-ounce (USA & Canada), 24-ounce (USA & Canada), and 33cl (Canada) sizes. Additionally, the popular 33cl-shaped Heineken Identity Can is widely available throughout Europe and Hong Kong. All packages feature the highly recognizable keg shape decorated with iconic Heineken green tones, creating strong visual impact and drawing significant consumer attention to the brand. The 10-ounce package also won the award in the Alcoholic Beverage category.

CROWN Aerosols Europe topped the Aerosol category with a limited edition package created for The Gillette Company. Reminiscent of a football (known as a soccer ball in the United States), the package was launched to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup ournament, for which Gillette was an official sponsor. The creative shape is easy-to-grip, facilitating product dispensing, and underscores Gillette's commitment to the sport of football, which is a passion for many of the company's existing and target customers. The design was featured on packaging for the company's MACH3Turbo shaving gel, Gillette Series shaving gel and Gillette Series antiperspirant and deodorant brands, which were available in supermarkets, drug stores and pharmacies across Europe and the United States throughout the tournament.

The unique hourglass shaped steel package created for the Waistline brand won the top prize in the Food category. Designed by CROWN Food Europe to help Crosse & Blackwell, one of Premier Foods' leading canned food brands, the package visually reinforces the healthy living theme of the Waistline brand, which was launched to meet demand from consumers for more nutritious meal options. The three-piece cans include an EOLE III steel easy-open end for greater convenience and decorative shrink sleeving for outstanding shelf appearance.

"Crown is committed to providing technologies that help brand owners enhance the appeal of their products with consumers," comments John Conway, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crown Holdings, Inc. "We're honored that several of our businesses have been recognized for their efforts with these awards."

Awarded annually, the Best in Metal Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in metal. Entries to this year's competition were judged by a panel of six experts from across the packaging and retail sectors.