News Release

Transaction Expands Company's Paperboard Container Presence in Europe

HARTSVILLE, S.C., Jul 04, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Sonoco UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies and the world's largest producer of paperboard cans, has completed the acquisition of the assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging Ltd., a division of Robinson PLC (LSE: RBN).

The acquisition will add approximately $10 million in annual sales and includes customer contracts, as well as other business assets of Robinson Paperboard Packaging. As part of the transaction, Sonoco will assume operation of Robinson's Chesterfield paperboard can plant located on Goyt Side Road. Employees at the Chesterfield plant will be retained.

"The purchase of Robinson Paperboard Packaging is a good strategic fit with Sonoco's growing global rigid paper container operations," said Sean Cairns, general manager of Sonoco Rigid Paper and Closures, Europe. "We believe Robinson's proven expertise in innovative paper bottom technology and unique, patented processes provide a strong platform for our continued development and growth in the United Kingdom and Europe."

Cairns added, "This agreement is a win for Robinson, Sonoco and our packaging customers, who are increasingly recognizing the proven advantages that rigid paper containers bring in terms of reducing costs and minimizing the impact on the environment - without compromising quality. Packaging made from rigid paper reduces package weight, makes more efficient use of raw materials and conserves energy."

With origins dating back to 1839, Robinson Paperboard Packaging manufactures rigid paperboard tubes and boxes for the food, drink, toiletries, cosmetics and the gift/presentation markets. The Chesterfield plant is ISO 14001 environmentally accredited, and also has British Retail Consortium/IoP Food Hygiene and ISO 9001 accreditation. Sonoco will continue to work with other parts of Robinson, including its plastics packaging division for the supply of plastic overcaps.

Sonoco has been operating in the UK since 1923 and now has more than 600 employees engaged in consumer and industrial packaging operations at 10 locations. Sonoco operates 44 facilities throughout 15 European countries with annualized sales of more than $700 million and more than 5,000 employees. The Company is the world's largest manufacturer of rigid paperboard containers, producing a variety of round and shaped spiral-wound, recycled paperboard cans, fiber cartridges and single-wrap paperboard containers, serving a variety of food and non-food markets. Sonoco's rigid paperboard operations include operations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

About Sonoco

Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $4.1 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more than 300 operations in 34 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at http://www.sonoco.com.

About Robinson PLC

With a 150 year plus history, Robinson PLC is a leading provider of custom injection molded plastic packaging solutions and paperboard tubes & boxes for customers in the UK and internationally. Robinson, whose customer service reflects its history as a family business, has a distinguished reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility. Visit http://www.robinsonpackaging.com for more information.

Forward-looking Statements

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The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "consider," "plan," "anticipate," "objective," "goal," "guidance" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding adequacy of cash flows, anticipated amounts and uses of cash flows, financial strategies and the results expected from them, continued payments of dividends, stock repurchases and producing improvements in earnings.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional information concerning some of the factors that could cause materially different results is included in the Company's reports on forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such reports are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference facilities and its Web site, http://www.sec.gov, the Company's investor relations department and the Company's Web site, http://www.sonoco.com.

SOURCE: Sonoco

Sonoco
Robin Montgomery, 843-383-7509
robin.montgomery@sonoco.com