In summer 2021, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) launched the Generation 4 CutStar, the Speedmaster XL 106-D rotary die cutter, and a new Performance Package for in-mold label production on the Speedmaster XL 106. It is now further expanding this portfolio by entering into a worldwide distribution agreement with the Japanese company AN Corporation for the Kawahara TXS-1100 and Kawahara BMS-1100 automated postpress systems. This marks the global rollout of a pilot agreement concluded for the North America region last year. “Heidelberg is systematically investing in the growth markets of packaging and label printing. The distribution agreement for Kawahara blanking systems adds a further key production step in the workflow to the company’s label printing portfolio,” says Rainer Hundsdörfer, CEO of Heidelberg. “In this way, we are helping our customers further automate their processes and thus make them as efficient and cost-effective as possible,” he explains. As a result, Heidelberg now offers all the technology needed for a highly efficient workflow in industrial label production – from job creation, prepress, and plate imaging all the way through to printing, die cutting, and fully automatic blank stripping.

Net Income was $165 million, or $0.55 per share, based upon 302.6 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to third quarter 2023 Net Income of $170 million, or $0.55 per share, based upon 309.2 million weighted average diluted shares. The third quarter of 2024 was impacted by a net charge from special items and amortization of purchased intangibles of $29 million and the third quarter of 2023 was impacted by a net charge from special items and amortization of purchased intangibles of $59 million. Michael Doss, the Company's President and CEO said, "In the third quarter, we saw our packaging volumes turn positive, after Europe's return to growth in the second quarter. Third quarter also saw the launch of new paperboard cup and container innovations for major Foodservice customers and the first-ever round BoardioTM paperboard canister for a leading collagen-protein brand. Our innovations are delivering real value for our customers and for consumers. Despite volume challenges brought on first by customer and retailer destocking and later by the pressure consumers are feeling from price inflation, we are delivering margin strength and consistency in line with the best global consumer packaging companies. That speaks to the value of the portfolio we have created, the success of our sustainable packaging innovations, and our team's commitment to outstanding execution. As volumes continue to improve and our Waco investment moves toward completion, cash generation will rise significantly, and we will deploy that cash to create substantial additional value for shareholders."

Sonoco ThermoSafe has launched a new range of reusable, universal solutions for the pharmaceutical and biologics markets. ChillTech® is a pre-qualified range of 2°C to 8°C PCM systems providing exceptional temperature control from 2 days up to 6 days for payloads from 4L to 40L. ChillTech® utilizes Sonoco ThermoSafe's patented Zero Bench-Time® technology, where systems can be packed-out straight from the freezer, saving customers space, time and money. Similar shippers on the market are qualified for just 4-days and typically use high-value components, which translate into higher costs for customers. These shippers also typically need time outside of the freezer prior to packing out, making Sonoco ThermoSafe's Zero Bench-Time technology a real benefit. Each ChillTech solution has the same pack-out configuration and is used year-round, regardless of season. In addition, following Sonoco ThermoSafe's philosophy to Embrace Simple®: simply change the outer insulated shipper to switch shipment duration from 48 hours to 96 hours to 144 hours. Click Read More below for additional details.