Following the successful launch of the Draft Latte, a distinctive crafted coffee drink using Crown’s InnoValve technology, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and CROWN Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), have partnered again to bring another unique experience to coffee lovers everywhere. The MiniVault, a pre-portioned single-use can, delivers café quality ground coffee to consumers in a vessel that is both convenient for at-home use and extends the shelf life up to five times.

Pregis, a leading global manufacturer of protective and flexible packaging solutions, has acquired Danco Converting, Carol Stream, Illinois, from its privately-held owners. As Pregis continues to grow its manufacturing footprint, both organically and through acquisition, bringing Danco’s paper converting capabilities and diverse offering into its portfolio will further enhance the company’s vertical integration strategy. Further, the paper converting acquisition is another demonstration of Pregis’ commitment to its previously announced 2K30 sustainability objectives. For more than a decade, the company has brought to the marketplace a portfolio of products that address environmental concerns, as well as deliver protective attributes critical for damage-free delivery of products to consumers. The Danco acquisition will enable Pregis to add complementary curbside recyclable products to its offering and support the explosive demand for paper solutions.

Net sales of $1.33 billion decreased 1% as reported, with EMEA decreasing 6%, APAC decreasing 3% and the Americas up less than 1%. Net earnings were $83 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $63 million, or $0.44 per diluted share. The current year results were impacted by $29 million of Special Items expense, including $22 million of restructuring and other associated costs related to the cost take-out to grow program ("CTO2Grow Program"). The prior year results were impacted by $44 million of Special Items expense, $30 million of which related to the Liquibox acquisition. Income tax expense was $36 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 30.0% in the quarter. This compares to an income tax expense of $34 million in the prior year period, or an effective tax rate of 35.0%. The lower effective tax rate is primarily driven by lower accruals for uncertain tax positions in the current year.