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Ball to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2011 Earnings on Jan. 26, 2012
Fri December 23, 2011 10:00 AM | NEWS PROVIDED BY:PR Newswire
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Corporation (BLL) will announce its fourth quarter and full-year 2011 earnings on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, before trading begins on the New York Stock Exchange. At 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time on that day (9:30 a.m. Eastern), Ball will hold its regular quarterly conference call on the company's results and performance.
The North American toll-free number for the call is 800-704-5375. International callers should dial 303-223-2683. Please use the following URL for a webcast of the live call:
http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/e9dty694/lan/en
For those unable to listen to the live call, a taped replay will be available at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on Jan. 26, 2012, until 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on Feb. 2, 2012. To access the replay, call 800-633-8284 (North American callers) or 402-977-9140 (international callers) and use reservation number 21564918.
A written transcript of the call will be posted within 48 hours of the call's conclusion to Ball's website at www.ball.com in the investors section under "presentations."
Ball Corporation is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Corporation
SEEKING ALPHA
Ball Aerospace Completes Cryogenic Testing for James Webb Space Telescope Primary Mirror Segments
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Today : Friday 23 December 2011
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has announced that the final six mirror segments for the James Webb Space Telescope have completed cryogenic temperature testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The final testing verifies that the 18-mirror composite primary mirror segments meet their combined wavefront error and radius of curvature requirements.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111222/LA26652)
The Webb's 18 mirror segments, as well as the secondary, tertiary and fine-steering mirrors, were produced by a Beryllium mirror development team led by Ball Aerospace. Team members included Materion (formerly Brush Wellman) in Elmore, Ohio; Axsys Technologies in Cullman, Ala.; L3 Tinsley in Richmond, Calif.; and QCI in Morristown, N.J. Completion of the cryogenic temperature tests at Marshall's X-Ray and Cryogenic Facility (XRCF) marks a significant milestone in the challenging progress for NASA's next great astrophysical space observatory. All 21 mirrors that comprise JWST telescope have now successfully completed final optical verification testing.
"Completion of cryogenic testing for the mirrors keeps the telescope on track and moving forward toward its 2018 launch date," said Cary Ludtke, vice president and general manager for the Ball Aerospace Civil and Operational Space strategic business unit.
Earlier tests at XRCF measured distortion of each hexagonal beryllium mirror surface as it cools from room temperature to the Webb telescope's on-orbit operating temperature of approximately 45 K (-380 deg F). This surface distortion was then mapped and subsequently removed in the final mirror polishing operations. The final cryogenic tests verified that the warm-to-cold surface distortion has been properly removed in final polishing. Once on orbit, the Wavefront Sensing and Control algorithm software, also developed by Ball, will calculate the optimum position of each of the 1.3-meter (per hexagonal side) mirrors, and then adjust positions to correct any errors. The individual mirror segments are phased on orbit using computer-controlled actuators that can adjust the position and shape of the mirrors to give the telescope a high quality, sharp image.
Ball Aerospace is the principal optical subcontractor for the JWST program, led by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, under contract to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The James Webb Space Telescope mirror will be the largest ever flown in space and six times larger than Hubble's mirror. The large, light-collecting area of the primary mirror allows superior viewing of extremely faint targets.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Aerospace Completes Preliminary Design Review for MOIRE
PR Newswire
BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has successfully completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Membrane Optic Imager Real-Time Exploitation (MOIRE) program under contract to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Ball Aerospace is incrementally demonstrating technologies needed to develop a large, lightweight geosynchronous space-based telescope using advanced diffractive optics membrane to provide persistent, real-time, tactical video to the war fighter.
The PDR, which concluded on August 30, demonstrated the ability to create a diffracted optical element (DOE) on a membrane. Ball Aerospace showed an 80 centimeter diameter, 32.5 meter focal length imaging DOE. This component is typical of what would be used for a 5 meter diameter telescope. Ultimately, the system is envisioned to use multiple membranes to form a collection aperture that is 20 meters in diameter. MOIRE seeks to validate the manufacturability of large membranes, large structures to hold the optics tight and flat, and also demonstrate the secondary optical elements needed to turn a diffraction based optic (such as photon sieve) into a wide, bandwidth imaging device.
"The use of membrane optics is an unprecedented approach to building large aperture telescopes," said Ball Aerospace President & CEO, David L. Taylor. "With the technology being developed on the MOIRE program, Ball Aerospace is broadening its role in geosynchronous imaging."
In phase two of the program now underway, a sub-aperture section of a 5 meter diameter demonstration telescope will be designed and built. Five additional risk-reduction options in phase two of the program will be addressed prior to Ball building a flight demonstration.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at http://www.sec.gov/. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
** Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited
Ball Aerospace Delivers Orion Phased Array Antenna EDUs
BOULDER, Colo., Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has delivered two Phased Array Antenna (PAA) Engineering Development Units (EDUs) for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle to prime contractor Lockheed Martin. The PAA serves as a primary data and voice communication link for NASA astronauts across all mission phases from launch through flight operations and final capsule recovery. The EDUs are now undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin-Denver in preparation for subsystem Critical Design Review.
"The development and delivery of these EDUs represents a significant milestone as NASA enters the next arena of human space flight," said Jim Oschmann, vice president and general manager of antenna and video technologies for Ball Aerospace. "This milestone puts us on track to deliver the PAA flight units for integration into the Orion flight test vehicle that will be in production at Kennedy Space Center next year."
The Orion PAA design leverages three dozen Ball Aerospace phased array designs delivered for space, airborne, ground and marine applications, as well as an additional 11 fixed beam array products delivered for space. This product meets requirements for both the service module and crew module applications, which minimizes design and production costs. As part of a methodical risk burn-down plan, Ball Aerospace previously built and tested a passive ten-element PAA brassboard and a thirteen-element active prototype that demonstrated array coupling, isolation and array efficiency across scan angles. Test results validated anticipated performance analysis and simulation. Ball Aerospace is the provider for Orion's Vision Navigation System, flight cameras and star trackers.
Ball Aerospace has a long history in both phased array antenna experience and human spaceflight programs. From the pioneering SEASAT satellite, to today's top-of-the line S-Band and Geodesic Dome Phased Array antennas, Ball is a proven industry leader in the application of advanced space, shipboard, aircraft and land-based phased array antenna systems. Ball has supported NASA's human space flight activities since Gemini, through Apollo, Skylab and the Space Shuttle.
About the Lockheed Martin Orion Team:
Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the nation's next generation spacecraft designed to carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit on long-duration, deep-space missions. Lockheed Martin leads the Orion industry team which includes major subcontractors as well as a nationwide network of minor subcontractors and small businesses. In addition, Lockheed Martin contracts with hundreds of small and disadvantaged business suppliers across the United States through an expansive supply chain network. Visit www.lockheedmartin.com/orion for more information.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (BLL: NYSE) is a supplier of high-quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
http://www.ballaerospace.com
Ball Aerospace Selected by NASA to Study Solar Electric Propulsion Spacecraft
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Today : Wednesday 30 November 2011
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is one of five companies that will develop mission concepts for demonstrating solar electric propulsion in space, important for NASA's future deep space human exploration missions. The five companies were each awarded study contracts up to $600K.Ball will work with NASA to define a mission concept that will demonstrate the solar electric propulsion technologies, capabilities, and infrastructure required for sustainable, affordable human presence in space.
"Moving payloads reliably and cost effectively from low Earth orbit to high-energy orbits is critical for deep space human and robotic exploration and relies on the systems engineering expertise Ball is known," said Cary Ludtke, vice president of Ball's Civil and Operational Space business unit. "In addition to solar electric propulsion and power-related advanced technologies, Ball has broad capabilities on deep space missions, as well as spaceflight systems engineering and integration, including modular design implementation."
The extremely high efficiency of solar electric power-based propulsion can deliver the large amounts of logistics support equipment required for deep space human exploration within an executable launch infrastructure.
The mission concept studies will identify technology gaps and look at innovative technical solutions for transportation using solar electric propulsion systems. NASA will use the studies to plan and implement a future flight demonstration mission that will test and validate key capabilities and technologies.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Looks to Beverage Can Business for Growth
International expansion and product innovation will be key.
By Thomas Mullarkey, CFA | 11-23-11 Stock Strategist Industry Reports/Morningstar
We believe Ball's (BLL) strategy to expand its worldwide beverage can business as well as its aerospace business and use most of its free cash flow to repurchase shares should enable the company to post solid earnings per share growth in the next few years.
The market has driven down Ball's stock price to roughly 85% of our fair value estimate. Given the company's narrow economic moat, opportunities for long-term growth, and disciplined approach to capital allocation, we believe the stock is attractively priced at this level--about 10 times our estimate for 2012 earnings and about a 10% free cash flow yield.
Ball is the world's largest producer of metal beverage cans. During 2010, Ball produced 43 billion beverage cans for sale in the United States, Canada, and Brazil, more than 15 billion cans for Europe, and 4.5 billion cans for China. Producing this many cans permits Ball's beverage plants to achieve high levels of efficiency. The plants typically run 24 hours a day and are close to large-scale bottlers and brewers, which minimizes transportation costs. For example, Ball's Milwaukee beverage can plant is just a hop, skip, and jump from Miller's brewery. Its Golden, Colo. beverage can plant sends much of its output to the local Coors brewery.
The global beverage can market is a rational oligopoly. The industry is dominated by three players (Ball, Rexam (REXMY), and Crown Holdings (CCK)) that tend to lock their customers into multiyear contracts with cost pass-through provisions. We believe that in the developed markets of North America and Western Europe, Ball's established manufacturing footprint and long-term customer contracts create high switching costs, which help to fortify the company's economic moat. Longer term, however, the company could be subject to substitution risk as glass or plastic bottles may become more prevalent choices for beverage packaging.
While we believe metal beverage cans will face competition in developed markets, emerging countries are ripe for expansion for the entire packed goods industry in the medium term. As consumers earn more money, they will consume more packaged goods; hence, the demand for all forms of beverage packaging in countries like China and Brazil should have many years of growth ahead. Demand for beer, soda, and noncarbonated packaged drinks is highly correlated with per capita GDP. In the coming decade, as the emerging economies of Asia and South America grow, companies like Ball will be ready to provide packaging to the local bottlers and brewers.
We believe the increased consolidation of the global beer market should benefit global packaging companies like Ball as well. Over the past decade, companies such as Anheuser Busch-Inbev and SABMiller have been creating global empires via mergers and acquisitions. These behemoths appreciate the global scale, quality, and reliability that a company like Ball can provide.
Ball expects that through 2020, global beverage can demand will grow 4% annually, from 280 billion cans per year to 400 billion cans per year, and most of the growth will come from Asia. Ball believes that should the penetration of Chinese beer packaged in metal cans increase from 5% today to 10% by 2020, it would need to add 30 beverage can lines in China. Consequently, we expect the firm to regularly invest capital expenditures in these emerging markets; if demand in North America is outpaced by supply, Ball may repurpose some of its underutilized manufacturing assets overseas.
Innovations in the beverage can market can help to drive higher margins. Although the beverage can has been around for decades, Ball is still finding ways to innovate on the package in order to drive greater product differentiation for consumers and higher profit margins for investors. While the standard 12-ounce can is a bedrock packaging choice in the beverage market, it is a low-cost, low-margin business that is slightly declining in the U.S. Recognizing this, Ball has worked to increase its product portfolio with innovative solutions for bottlers and brewers. For example, Ball's aluminum beverage bottle has been seeing robust demand growth; consequently, the company is installing additional capacity at its Boulder facility. Additional innovative enhancements that Ball has already rolled out include color-changing inks that morph with temperature (for example, Coors beer cans have blue mountains that appear once the cans are sufficiently cold) and tactile printing that make the can feel unique. Finally, Ball has recently created sophisticated printing technology that allows for much greater resolution on a can in order to provide a better canvas for marketers to promote their beverages.
The bulk of Ball's revenue and profits comes from metal packaging. Beverage cans account for roughly three fourths of Ball's business, and metal containers used for food or household products deliver about one sixth of the top line. Meanwhile, the company's aerospace segment delivers less than 10% of overall sales, but it has been consistently profitable and currently enjoys a healthy backlog and flexible cost structure.
The aerospace segment, which manufactures satellites, sensors, antennas, and other equipment, derives more than 90% of its revenue from the U.S. government. In the medium term, budget deficits and a likely reduction in military spending could put pressure on some of Ball's funding sources. Consequently, the firm is looking to capture future revenue growth from other channels such as cybersecurity, commercial space, and the international market.
While the aerospace segment does not share any synergies with the metal packaging business, it is Ball's oldest operating unit and frequently delivers the company's highest returns on invested capital. We believe this history, combined with excellent returns, fortifies management's decision to continue operating both business units under the same umbrella.
Ball's incentive compensation scheme properly aligns management's compensation with shareholders' interests, in our view; bonuses are paid only if the company's economic value added surpasses the target. The CEO's and CFO's long-term incentives are linked to total shareholder returns and returns on average invested capital over a three-year period. Also, Ball's directors, employees, and named executive officers own more than 10% of the company's stock. Given that the leadership team's upside is well aligned with the interests of ordinary Ball shareholders, we believe the firm will continue to be a disciplined allocator of capital and continue to work in investors' best interests.
Ball has a solid history of generating strong free cash flows and is likely to use future cash flows to expand its business and return value to shareholders. Over the past decade, Ball has generated $3.4 billion of free cash flow (cash from operations less capital expenditures). Likewise, we expect Ball will continue to be a prodigious generator of cash in the coming decade. We believe the firm will use much of its cash to open new beverage can lines in South America and Asia, make occasional acquisitions, and buy back shares.
About the Author: Thomas Mullarkey is a stock analyst for the Basic Materials Team.
Ball Aerospace Wins $17m U.S. Air Force Contract to Support Distributed Common Ground System Ball
(NYSE:BLL)
Today : Thursday 10 November 2011
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has been awarded four task order contracts worth more than $17 million to develop and integrate enhanced operational capabilities for the U.S. Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS).
Under the task orders, Ball Aerospace will spend 18 months integrating data streams from enhanced sensors on the Global Hawk and Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) into the Air Force DCGS. This work ensures the data from the newest UAV sensors can be fully exploited to meet critical warfighter needs.
"To improve effectiveness in the field and assist in keeping military personnel safe, Ball Aerospace is providing new net-centric situational awareness, radar, moving target indicators, and spectral capabilities for the intelligence community and the war fighter," said Dan Gibson, vice president and general manager of Ball's Systems Engineering Solutions business unit.
The wins expand Ball's current offerings through the Advanced Technical Exploitation Program (ATEP) contract for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. ATEP continues Ball Aerospace's prime contractor role since 1983 in providing NASIC with Measurement and Signature Intelligence and Advanced Geospatial Intelligence (MASINT/AGI) solutions to meet requirements for DOD and the intelligence community.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball's repurchase of $100 million in common stock starts today. Expect O/S to drop by 2.8 million shares.
Ball Aerospace-Built NPP Satellite Launched Successfully
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Today : Friday 28 October 2011
NASA's NPP satellite built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. was successfully launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit this morning at 2:48 PDT (5:48 EDT).
NASA's first Earth-observing satellite to measure both global climate and key weather data lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard a Delta II rocket. NPP's five science instruments will make critical measurements to provide long-term climate projections and data to improve short-term weather forecasts.
Ball Aerospace built the BCP 2000 satellite bus for Goddard Space Flight Center under fixed-price terms. Ball also built one of the five sensors aboard NPP - the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite – an instrument that will measure how much ozone is in our atmosphere and how the ozone concentration varies with altitude.
"We are confident NASA's long-standing Earth-observation records will dramatically improve with the successful launch of NPP," said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace. "The NPP mission will bridge critical data while Ball Aerospace builds the first next-generation polar-orbiting satellite - JPSS-1."
JPSS-1 is the Joint Polar-Orbiting Satellite System scheduled to launch no earlier than 2017. JPSS data and imagery will further increase timeliness, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of public warnings and forecasts of climate and weather events.
NPP has a five-year mission life and a seven-year design life. The spacecraft bus is the eighth spacecraft built by Ball Aerospace on the same BCP core architecture. In all, this architecture has more than 50 years of successful on-orbit operations. Additionally, the NPP spacecraft incorporates both MIL-STD-1553 and IEEE 1394 (FireWire) data networks to support the payload suite.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Aerospace NPP Satellite Ready for Launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Today : Wednesday 26 October 2011
The Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. NPP satellite is encapsulated inside the fairing (nose cone) of a United Launch Alliance Delta II launch vehicle in preparation for liftoff from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base Space, October 28, 2011, at 2:48 a.m. PDT (5:48 a.m. EDT).
NPP installed on the Delta II rocket. (Photo: Business Wire)
NPP is NASA’s first Earth-observing satellite to measure both global climate changes and a host of key weather variables. Ball Aerospace built the NPP satellite BCP 2000 satellite bus for Goddard Space Flight Center under fixed-price terms. Ball also built one of five instruments for NPP - the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS).
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50044683&lang=en
Ball Completes Acquisition of Partners' Interests in Qingdao, China, Beverage Can Plant
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Tuesday 11 October 2011
Highlights
•Ball has acquired its partners’ interests in a former joint venture plant in Qingdao, China
•The plant is being relocated and expanded in Qingdao
•The new facility is on schedule to begin production by the end of 2011
•Ball’s Qingdao investment is part of the company’s previously announced 2011 capital expenditure program
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) announced today it has acquired its partners' 60 percent interests in a former joint venture metal beverage can plant in Qingdao, China, and is building a new, expanded plant in Qingdao to meet customer demand.
Ball has owned 40 percent of the joint venture plant since 1993. The equipment from the existing facility will be relocated to another Ball location in China. Construction on the new Qingdao plant is underway.
"Our volumes in China in the first half of 2011 experienced strong growth compared to the same period last year due to increased market demand and the acquisition of our Foshan joint venture beverage can plant in June 2010," said Raymond J. Seabrook, executive vice president and chief operating officer, global packaging. "The relocation of the existing Qingdao plant offers an opportunity for us to build a larger, high-speed plant to supply our customers' growing demand for beverage cans in northeastern China."
Ball expects to report an after tax gain of approximately $6 million in the third quarter of 2011 on its previous ownership interest in the joint venture, subject to the appraisal of the business. The new plant will supply both 330ml and 500ml cans – an increasingly popular size for beer. It is on schedule to start up by the end of 2011.
Ball Corporation is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation Exceeds EPA's Climate Leader Goal Ahead of Schedule
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Tuesday 20 September 2011
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) has exceeded its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal set in 2004 as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program, the company announced today.
Ball had committed to reduce its direct and indirect GHG emissions globally by 16 percent by 2012, using 2002 as the baseline year. By aggressively managing energy efficiency programs throughout the company's operations, Ball reduced its global GHG emissions by 18 percent as of the end of 2010 and is continuing actions to further reduce emissions.
Ball joined the Climate Leaders program in 2004. The EPA industry-government partnership worked with companies to achieve comprehensive climate change and has since phased down services to its partners. While the program ended in 2010, Ball remained committed to achieving its GHG reduction goal.
"We have conducted numerous energy efficiency projects, including reducing compressed air use, improving lighting efficiency and recovering thermal heat, that have had a positive impact on reducing our GHG emissions and helped us surpass our original goal," said James N. Peterson, Ball's vice president, marketing and corporate affairs. "Our success is also due to placing greater emphasis on reducing energy usage globally and the commitment of our employees, who continually look for ways to conserve resources in our facilities and add efficiency and value to our manufacturing processes."
Ball originally set its Climate Leaders goal for its North American manufacturing sites. In 2008, the commitment was expanded to include Ball's manufacturing locations in Europe and Asia.
Ball Corporation is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Corporation
Ball Aerospace Delivers Software for James Webb Space Telescope Wavefront Sensing & Control
Ball (NYSE:BLL)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Wednesday 14 September 2011
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has delivered Wavefront Sensing & Control (WFS&C) software for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to prime contractor Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. The WFS&C software contains the sophisticated mathematical algorithms that will be used to align and phase the telescope's eighteen 1.3 meter hexagonal primary mirror segments to perform as a single monolithic mirror.
From the outset of the JWST program, WFS&C was identified as a key new technology. Due to its size, the Webb telescope must be launched in a stowed configuration and aligned on orbit. This design feature has contributed to the critical accuracy required of WFS&C software, which was rigorously tested using Ball's fully functional, one-sixth scale Webb Telescope Testbed as well as detailed computer simulations of the future observatory.
The WFS&C software package is designed to provide vital flexibility in control of the telescope optics to optimize system performance on orbit, even in the presence of unforeseen problems. In addition to co-phasing the individual segments to operate as a single mirror, the software allows the primary mirror segments and the secondary mirror to be adjusted from the ground, to compensate for optical distortions that may occur in the observatory throughout the life of the mission.
"The world-class optical system Ball is providing for the Webb Telescope draws on our extensive experience providing space hardware for NASA's observatories," said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace. "And much like the unexpected benefits from technology developed for Hubble, the Webb's wavefront sensing technology is already being used in new commercial applications."
On September 13, 2011, NASA announced the completion of the mirror coating process at Quantum Coating Inc., in Moorestown, N.J., marking yet another major milestone in development of the Webb Telescope.
Ball Aerospace is the principal optical subcontractor for the JWST program, led by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Space Technology, under a contract from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD. Delivery of the advanced software marks the culmination of a decade-long effort.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Announces Accelerated Stock Repurchase
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) announced today that it has agreed to repurchase approximately $125 million of its outstanding common stock in a privately negotiated accelerated stock repurchase transaction with Barclays Capital using cash on hand and available borrowings.
Subject to certain conditions, the transaction will commence on Aug. 3 and reduce Ball's outstanding common stock by a total of approximately 3.4 million shares.
"This accelerated stock repurchase transaction is part of our ongoing strategy of returning the majority of the company's 2011 free cash flow to shareholders," said Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer.
The shares are subject to a market price adjustment provision at the conclusion of the transaction which may require a settlement to be made by Ball, or to Ball, based generally on the volume weighted average trading price of the company's shares over an agreed upon period of time.
Ball Corporation is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Corporation
For more info: Email Scott McCarty or call 303-260-2103 News Release
Ball Aerospace Ships Imaging Instrument for 2012 Landsat Mission
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has successfully completed pre-ship review for the Operational Land Imager (OLI) to fly aboard the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). The imaging instrument is currently being prepared for shipment to Orbital Sciences Corporation, Gilbert, Ariz., where satellite integration will occur prior to a scheduled launch in December 2012.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110809/LA49365)
Landsat satellites capture unique Earth surface data vital to agricultural, water management, disaster response, scientific and national security uses. "OLI provides the key sensor technology to allow continuation of Landsat Earth observations into a fourth decade," said Ball Aerospace president and CEO David L. Taylor. "This continuation is essential to maintain seamless acquisition of moderate resolution imagery of the Earth from space that is not captured by other private or public sources."
A multitude of scientific, commercial and governmental users rely on Landsat for moderate-resolution multispectral Earth observation data. OLI will capture images of nine spectral bands in the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared, helping scientists understand the impact of land use change. The OLI instrument provides 15-meter (49ft.) panchromatic and 30m multi-spectral Earth-imaging spatial-resolution capability, and includes a 185km swath allowing the entire globe to be imaged every 16 days.
The Landsat program is a series of Earth-observing satellite missions jointly managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. For nearly 40 years, Landsat satellites have continuously and consistently collected images of Earth, creating an historical archive unmatched in quality, detail, coverage and length. LDCM will extend Landsat's unparalleled global land surface observation record.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Ball Aerospace Selected by NASA to Develop Cryogenic Storage and Transfer Concepts for Demonstration Mission
BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is one of four companies that will study the storage and transfer of cryogenic propellants in space under a contract to NASA. Each company was awarded up to $600K to accomplish this half-year effort.
The contract calls for Ball Aerospace to work with NASA to develop a mission concept to test and validate key capabilities and technologies required for the storage and transfer of cryogenic propellants to and from advanced propulsion stages and propellant depots, important for the agency's future deep space human exploration missions.
Under a directive from President Barack Obama, NASA is pursuing human missions to an asteroid by 2025. Such a mission would require space-based fuel depots and/or pre-positioned cryogenic propulsion stages. The concept study will determine how to close current gaps in technology to achieve that goal. A demonstration mission to confirm a sustainable, affordable solution will eventually follow the mission concept study.
"Embarking on a human presence in space beyond the space shuttle program will require the kind of innovative technologies Ball is known for," said Cary Ludtke, vice president of Ball's Civil and Operational Space business unit. "Ball's experience in analysis, design and fabrication of spaceflight cryogenic systems and components dates back 40 years with cryogenic spaceflight instruments and more than 100 cryogenic space flights."
Ball Aerospace has a lengthy heritage on a broad variety of cryogenic and thermal systems - from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to the Power Reactant Storage Assembly tanks for the space shuttle program. Directly applicable to the current NASA contact was a two-year long feasibility study conducted by Ball Aerospace in 1988 for the Cryogenic On-orbit Liquid Depot-Storage Acquisition and Transfer (COLD-SAT) satellite.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
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Ball Aerospace Ships Imaging Instrument for 2012 Landsat Mission |
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has successfully completed pre-ship review for the Operational Land Imager (OLI) to fly aboard the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). The imaging instrument is currently being prepared for shipment to Orbital Sciences Corporation, Gilbert, Ariz., where satellite integration will occur prior to a scheduled launch in December 2012.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110809/LA49365) Landsat satellites capture unique Earth surface data vital to agricultural, water management, disaster response, scientific and national security uses. "OLI provides the key sensor technology to allow continuation of Landsat Earth observations into a fourth decade," said Ball Aerospace president and CEO David L. Taylor. "This continuation is essential to maintain seamless acquisition of moderate resolution imagery of the Earth from space that is not captured by other private or public sources." A multitude of scientific, commercial and governmental users rely on Landsat for moderate-resolution multispectral Earth observation data. OLI will capture images of nine spectral bands in the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared, helping scientists understand the impact of land use change. The OLI instrument provides 15-meter (49ft.) panchromatic and 30m multi-spectral Earth-imaging spatial-resolution capability, and includes a 185km swath allowing the entire globe to be imaged every 16 days. The Landsat program is a series of Earth-observing satellite missions jointly managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. For nearly 40 years, Landsat satellites have continuously and consistently collected images of Earth, creating an historical archive unmatched in quality, detail, coverage and length. LDCM will extend Landsat's unparalleled global land surface observation record. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com. Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2010 sales of more than $7.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com. |
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