Hill's Enters Single-Serve Cat Food Market in Italy With New Package Size From Crown Holdings

PHILADELPHIA, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) announced today that Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. (Topeka, KS) has launched Hill's Science Plan cat food in a single-serve, easy-open 85 g (3 oz.) package in Italy. Available in specialty pet stores, the new size responds to growing consumer demand for convenience, and marks the company's first entry into the single-serve market for cat food in Europe.

"Our research reveals that convenience and serving size are key criteria for consumer purchasing decisions, both in the U.S. and Europe," explained Iwan Tamm, Marketing Manager for Global Business Development for Hill's Pet Nutrition. "The easy-open feature delivers the ease of use and convenience that consumers prefer."

By offering superior nutrition in a single-serving size, Hill's Pet Nutrition allows consumers to feed their feline pets a healthy portion without having to store leftovers in the refrigerator. It also permits consumers to select more of a variety when purchasing products, which are available in Liver & Chicken, Seafood, and Turkey flavors, as well as Kitten, Adult, Senior and "Light" formulas.

The new size pairs Crown's high-performance aluminum cans with aluminum easy-open ends. Consumers can easily grasp a tab and peel back the end from the can, eliminating the need for a can opener.

The single-serve cans are also traffic generators. Consumers purchase a shorter supply of food at one time, and return to the store more frequently. The new size also permits opportunities for multi-pack promotions.

"Hill's pet foods provide the right nutrition with health and taste benefits that pet owners want," said Tamm. "By using a package that provides a number of value-added benefits, we are already receiving a strong positive response both from retailers and consumers."

Hill's has received the same positive response in the U.S., where the product is marketed as Hill's Science Diet and is also available in the single serving size.

About Crown Holdings

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

About Hill's Pet Food

Since 1943, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. has been a leader in specialty pet food. Their mission is to enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.

For more information, visit www.hillspet.com.

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.