Sonoco Restructuring UK Operations

Sonoco Products announced that it will restructure its United Kingdom-based tube and core business, resulting in the closure of its Leek Staffordshire plant and the downsizing of its Brechin, Scotland, plant, according to Charles F. Paterno, vice president - Sonoco Europe.

The restructuring follows Sonoco's acquisition in December 2001 of Smurfit U.K. Limited's core and tube converting business in the U.K., consisting of three converting facilities.

The Leek Staffordshire plant will close effective October 31, 2002. The Brechin, Scotland, plant will be downsized effective December 31, 2002

Sonoco will continue to operate six tube and core facilities in the U.K. at Coleford, Slough, Milnrow and Jarrow, England; Lurgan, Northern Ireland; and Brechin, Scotland. The company has a paper mill in Stainland, England. "This new structure will allow Sonoco to improve its operating performance, increase its customer service and flexibility, and deliver an extended product range to our current and potential customers," said Paterno.