Ball announces plant expansion in Brazil
Latapack-Ball is set to expand capacity at its can making plant in Alagoinhas, Brazil.
Ball Corporation has revealed that Latapack-Ball, the company’s majority-owned beverage can joint venture in Brazil, plans to install a second production line at the site in the third quarter of 2013. This investment will cost around $140 million and is expected to create around 30 new jobs.
The plant, which has been operational since March this year, was officially opened on 29 November with the unveiling of a plaque (pictured left to right: Jorge Bannitz (commercial executive director), Kevin Dallman (COO), Jorge Angel (CFO), Colin Gillis (president) and Luci Bellacosa (HR director)).
The president of Latapack-Ball Colin Gillis said: “This expansion recognises the growing market for aluminium cans in northeastern Brazil and in particular in the state of Bahia.”
During his inauguration speech, Gillis thanked shareholders for their support and acknowledged the presence of the governor of Bahia, Jaques Wagner, the secretary of industry, commerce and mining, James Correia and the mayor of Alagoinhas, Cezar Paulo Simões.
Gillis also thanked the staff that work at the plant and stressed that sustainability was a key focus in the construction of the facility. “In a world of limited resources, it was essential to find ways to reduce our need for water, electricity and gas, as well as design a more efficient layout to reduce the amount of equipment and structure. Today, Alagoinhas is the most sustainable of all the plants of Latapack-Ball.”
Latapack-Ball currently operates two other beverage can plants in Brazil, in Jacarei and Tres Rios, and a can end plant in Salvador.
