IMDA Names Crown’s Edward Ellison as ‘Decorator of the Year’

Aurora, IL-based Group Press Leader honored at organization’s annual awards ceremony

Philadelphia, PA – August 14, 2014. In line with the company’s culture of excellence, CROWN Aerosol Packaging North America, a division of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), is pleased to announce that Edward Ellison has recently been honored with a ‘Decorator of the Year’ award by the International Metal Decorators Association (IMDA). Presented at the annual awards luncheon during the IMDA’s annual conference in Bloomingdale, IL, the accolade recognizes technical mastery in can decoration as part of the organization’s program to foster advancements in the art of metal decorating.

“I feel very fortunate to have won the IMDA award,” said Ellison. “It’s the icing on the cake to working for Crown, which has been life changing for myself and my family.”

Ellison brings 19 years of experience as Group Press Leader in Midwest Decorating at Crown’s Aurora, Illinois facility. As the primary contact between the printing presses and the company’s graphics plant, he is instrumental in the overall quality and appearance of most of Crown’s printed product line. Ellison has consistently demonstrated leadership and offered guidance to the graphics team, in addition to planning jobs, layouts, and the necessary screen values for the aerosol product line artwork. Well versed in the X-rite technology and a member of Aurora facility’s team assembled for the 2014 roll out of new spectrophotometers, Ellison is actively involved in helping the facility achieve even greater consistency in color creation and matching.

“Edward’s personality and professional demeanor has continually earned him respect throughout Crown – from our hourly workforce to our management group,” said Ken Tutin, Vice President of Operations, CROWN Aerosol Packaging North America. “We were extremely honored to be able to nominate him for this award. In addition to his day-to-day role, Edward also plays an integral role in our training program at the Aurora plant, mentoring his fellow employees and managers by creating multiple training manuals for the various positions in the facility, as well as through one-on-one guidance.”

To help customers meet their needs, Crown’s facilities, such as the Midwest Graphics Lithography Center in Aurora, specialize in customized consultation on visual development and implementation. For new aerosol designs, Crown gives customers the opportunity to work directly with in-house technicians to optimize graphics and explore options to streamline package development for shorter time to market. Here Crown works closely with customers to turn imagery and initial designs into print-ready versions designed for shelf differentiation, as well as meeting specific color requests or customize existing palettes. With in-house technicians blending inks to create different shades and color variations, Crown has this onsite ability to customize and adjust colors. This helps overcome the challenge of matching virtual mock-ups with the final design printed on aerosol packaging.

Ellison was recognized alongside Jerry Salomonsen (La Crosse, WI), earning Crown two out of the three ‘Decorator of the Year’ awards. In addition, CROWN Beverage Packaging North America won two awards in the Craft Can category: the overall Best of Category Award and the Award of Excellence, while CROWN Speciality Packaging North America took home top prize in the Specialty Cans category.

Can designs from around the world compete for IMDA honors in eight categories, including aerosol, closures, food, specialty, two-piece and technical achievement. Participants are judged by an impartial panel comprised of graphic arts professionals, and entries are based on criteria including printing quality, degree of difficulty, appearance of coating finishes, registration, and degree of technical expertise required.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.
Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer marketing companies around the world. World headquarters are located in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

For more information, contact:

In the United States: Melissa Quintana, Marketing Manager, CROWN Aerosol Packaging North America; Tel: 1 (215) 698-5217; Email: melissa.quintana@crowncork.com.

Ron Skotleski, Director of Marketing, CROWN Beverage Packaging; Tel: 1 (253) 927-1348; Email: ron.skotleski@crowncork.com

Sheila Heath, Director of Marketing, CROWN Speciality Packaging North America; Tel: 1 (740) 681 6577; Email: sheila.heath@crowncork.com

In Europe: Véronique Curulla, Marketing Director, CROWN Aerosols & Speciality Packaging; Tel: 33 6 86 77 42 48; Email: veronique.curulla@eur.crowncork.com.

For editorial inquiries: Thomas T. Fischer, Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs; Tel: 1 (215) 552-3720; Email: thomas.fischer@crowncork.com.

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