Neuman Aluminum operates plants in Verona, Va, and Sherbrooke, Quebec, which produce aluminum disks, or slugs, that are converted into premium packaging for personal care, household, beverage and other products.

"This strategic acquisition is an investment by Ball in a business that has technology to access new markets and opportunities to grow Ball's packaging platform," says Raymond J. Seabrook, executive vice president and chief operating officer, global packaging operations.

Neuman aluminum had sales of approximately $128 million in 2009. The two plants, which employ about 180 people, will become part of Ball's metal food and household products packaging segment. Neuman USA is the only North American impact extrusion company with its own slug manufacturing operation.

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. Founded in 1880, Ball Corporation and its subsidaries employ more than 14, 000 people worldwide and reported 2009 sales of more than $7.3 billion. Their long-term direction is to develop the lightest weight, most recycled, consumer preferred packaging for the markets in which they compete.

for more information, visit ppxxx.ball.com