May 23, 2006
Signed a licensing agreement of the aluminum bottle technology with Ball Corporation
Universal Can Corporation (President: Shuichi Baba, Capital: ¥8 billion, Headquarter: Tokyo) and Ball Corporation( President and CEO: R. David Hoover, Capital: $835 million (about ¥94 billion), Headquarter: Colorado, U.S.A) signed formally a nonexclusive licensing agreement after a long term negotiation on the basis of the Basic Agreement signed last August for licensing the aluminum bottle technology. Ball is the first licensee of this technology. Ball Corporation celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, and it’s one of world’s top packaging companies that has the biggest market share in North America and the second in Europe.
The licensed technology was initially introduced from Takeuchi Press Industries Co.,Ltd. and improved by our original technologies. Two-piece aluminum bottle consists of two pieces, a cap and a body. It has been attracted a greater interest than other bottle manufacturing technology does because it has the advantage that can be produced on the remodeled DI can lines.
Recently, in North America and Europe, to meet increasing demand of major beverage/beer companies on using aluminum bottles, the Impact Bottle with a cap has been put on the market and win popularity. However, the screw-top bottle that has the advantages of recyclability and lightweight are expected. After various studies, Ball decided to introduce our aluminum bottle technology.
Through the agreement, we can expect a royalty income through Ball’s sales ability in the North America market, and also expect multiplier effects on the technology and development by technology exchanges.
We will export manufacture equipments through the can machinery business company, D.I. Engineering Corporation, offer technical supports during technology exporting period, and establish close relations with Ball Corporation.
