Impress breaks ground on new plant in New York State

On 25 September 2009, Impress broke ground for the building of its new greenfield plant in New York State where it will initially invest approximately $30 million. The plant will be an ecologically friendly building and will have metal packaging equipment that will provide Impress customers with an enhanced range of modern metal packaging products for both human and pet food. The plant will start up in 2010 and is expected to eventually employ approximately 75 people. The building will be 91,000 square feet, has space for additional equipment and it will be constructed to allow for a second phase of expansion where employment could eventually be doubled.

Dennis Kester, President of Impress North America, said, “We chose Conklin and Broome County, New York, because the local and state governments are very supportive and helpful. We also were impressed with the availability of a good work force, educational institutions and ease of transportation.”

Francis Labbé, CEO of Impress, added, “North America has been a good region for us to do business and we continue to see good growth opportunities. We are excited at this next step in our development. The effort and support offered by New York State has been a major factor in our decision to locate to Conklin.”

Impress is a global market leader in the consumer metal packaging industry. It is the worldwide leader in the seafood can market, European and Australasian leader for aerosol cans, European leader in cans for Paints and Coatings and European leader in cans for Infant Formula and Nutritional Powders. Impress is also the second largest supplier of heat processed food cans in Europe and Australasia. Impress is based in Deventer, the Netherlands and has worldwide sales of approximately €1.8 billion. It employs approximately 7,600 people in 56 facilities in 21 countries in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, Seychelles and Morocco.

For further Information please contact:

Blanche Frankel: Press’Publica: Tel: +33 (1) 56 89 56 64; Fax: +33 56 89 56 50; e-mail: b.frankel@press-publica.fr

Mary Chapman Communications: Mary Chapman: Tel: +44 (0) 1452 720208 Fax: +44 (0) 1452723724, e-mail: marychpm@aol.com

John Boyas, Impress USA, Inc.: Tel: +1 412 249 7115; Fax: +1 412 774 2576; e-mail: john.boyas@impressusa.net