News Release

HARTSVILLE, S.C., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Sonoco (NYSE: SON) today increased Sonoco's regular quarterly dividend from $.18 to $.19 per share. The 296th consecutive quarterly dividend will be payable June 10, 1999 to shareholders of record May 21, 1999.

Sonoco, celebrating its Centennial in 1999, is a global manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products and services with 1998 sales of $2.6 billion. The company has approximately 275 operations in 32 countries on five continents serving customers in 85 countries.
SOURCE Sonoco
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CONTACT: Allan V. Cecil of Sonoco, 843-383-7524