Crown Cork & Seal Receives `Spirit of Excellence' Award From Hormel Foods

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) today announced it has received a Spirit of Excellence Award from Hormel Foods Corporation, a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded meat and food products, based in Austin, Minn. Crown supplies Hormel Foods with rectangular shaped cans in two different sizes for the SPAM® family of products, along with other metal cans of various sizes and construction.

Our supplier quality management process enables us to recognize our suppliers for their commitment to provide excellent product quality and service that meet and exceed requirements, said Donald Nelson, director of purchasing for Hormel Foods. Crown Cork & Seal more than fulfills our requirements.

To qualify for the prestigious awards program, suppliers must meet or exceed specific requirements established by the supplier quality management (SQM) committee of Hormel Foods. Eligible companies are then selected according to various criteria, including performances involving deliveries, administrative, product quality, customer service and plant quality audits.

Providing on-time, consistent quality packaging helps our customers achieve a competitive advantage, said Raymond L. McGowan, President, U.S. Food Can Division. We look forward to continuing this important relationship with Hormel Foods.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. In both January 2001 and January 2002, Hormel Foods was named one of The 400 Best Big Companies in America by Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value.

Crown Cork & Seal is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA.