Crown Holdings Upgrades Batesville Plant, and Adds New 8 oz. Can-Making Capability

PHILADELPHIA, Sep 9, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) announced today a multi-million-dollar investment program in its Batesville, Mississippi beverage can plant to improve production efficiencies and to make the Batesville plant the Company's national 8 oz. beverage can center.

"Crown is able to make this significant investment because of legislation enacted in the State of Mississippi and signed by the Governor which has made Mississippi a more attractive place for companies to invest and grow their operations," said William Gallagher, Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

The investment program, which commenced in the third quarter of 2004, includes the conversion of one of Batesville's three production lines to manufacture 8 oz. cans and the upgrade and speedup of the other two lines. The installation of new equipment coupled with additional improvements to the Batesville plant's manufacturing processes enables the Company to continue providing high-quality products and world-class customer service.

"Crown is pleased to make this investment in the future of our employees, the Batesville community and the customers served by this facility," said Robert Truitt, President Beverage Packaging Division. "We are confident the investment program will enhance the Batesville plant's position in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its affiliated companies, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.

Timothy J. Donahue, Senior Vice President - Finance of Crown
Holdings, +1-215-698-5088

http://www.crowncork.com