Ball Corporation reports growth in net profit in Q3; plans new beverage can plant in Arizona

Ball Corporation, a supplier of innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging solutions, reported net earnings attributable to the corporation of $92 million in the third quarter 2019 on sales of $2.95 billion, compared to $59 million in 2018. In January-September, net earnings attributable to the corporation were $406 million on sales of $8.76 billion, from $303 million on sales of $8.83 billion in January-September 2018.

The company’s global beverage volumes increased by 4 per cent in the third quarter and 6 per cent in the first nine months of 2019.

"Positive momentum in our aluminium beverage packaging and aerospace businesses continues. During the quarter, our global beverage volumes increased 4 percent and our aerospace contracted backlog increased 9 percent. With global customer and consumer demand for aluminium packaging solutions continuing to outpace existing supply, we are focused on improving operational efficiencies and ramping up previously announced line additions, speed-ups and greenfield plant expansions to add at least 5 billion units of capacity over the next 12-18 months," said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Ball Corporation also announced the construction of a new beverage can manufacturing facility in Glendale, Arizona to support the new can filling facility. The new facility is likely to come on line in early 2021.

“Initially a high-speed two line facility, we expect this new plant to come on line in early 2021 and will have the capability to be further scaled as market growth dictates. We are also actively exploring a new aluminium beverage can facility in the U.S. Northeast, and continue to explore other growth opportunities around the world, which we will discuss further in the near future."

"Long-term growth prospects for our sustainable aluminium packaging solutions and aerospace technologies continue to remain strong, and we are excited to support this growth with disciplined, multi-year investments in facilities, talent, training and systems infrastructure to improve customers' access to our packaging products and to broaden our mission-partner position in aerospace. Leveraging our innovative product portfolio across the most optimal customer base in both packaging and aerospace will expand shareholder returns for years to come."