CROWN HOLDINGS Develops Asymmetrical Spray Cans

Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK) announced the launch of the first asymmetrical spray can for consumer products. The product was developed in collaboration with Crown's aerosol packaging branch (Crown) and WD-40, a world-renowned supplier of lubricants, cleaning agents and household products.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of WD-40 Lubricants, this innovative spray container also has a comfortable, easy-to-grasp form factor and makes the product easy to modulate. In addition, the WD-40's recognized yellow protective layer is also molded on the can, creating a unique three-dimensional shape that enhances the market's image and packaging appeal. The new spray container is available in 8-ounce and 11-ounce capacities.

“The shape and color of the WD-40 has never changed in the past 35 years,” said Mike Freeman, president of WD-40 North America. “As this commemorative day approaches, we are all looking for something interesting and innovative. Way to celebrate our brand and to increase sales and profits."

This unique container also fought the state-owned WD-40 company against counterfeiting in China. China accounts for about 50% of its lubricant's market share. The company estimates that counterfeit WD-40 also accounts for another 25% of the market.

"Although counterfeiters are very good at embezzlement of traditional packaging designs, they cannot imitate the formulation and performance of the product," Freeman said. "We want to be confident that consumers have acquired the desirable qualities they expected for WD-40 and to prevent counterfeiting." Any potential damage to the product caused by the formulation. This new asymmetric shape is extremely difficult to counterfeit, so that consumers can easily distinguish between genuine and counterfeit packaging."

The ability to create this unique design is based on Crown's high pressure injection molding process. The preform is initially placed in a finished mold to create the desired shape. The preform is then blow-molded by using compressed air, expanding it into the shape of the mold and forming a unique packaging tool.

The new asymmetrical containers will be put into the Chinese market in September and will become the standard packaging for WD-40 in the region. In the United States, WD-40 has signed an exclusive sales agreement with Wal-Mart. In October 2003, it first put 8 ounces of packaging into the US market. By January 2004, WD-40 will start selling 8 oz. and 10 oz. packages as promotional products through other retail channels. According to consumer feedback, this container may also be a permanent form of packaging in the United States.

Developed in 1953, WD-40 is known as “a thousand cans of canned products” to prevent rust or corrosion of metals, infiltration of bonded parts, protection against moisture, and lubrication of anything. The WD-40 is also ideal for cleaning grease, dirt and removing marks from most surfaces.

“WD-40 has historically become a strong sales product,” Freeman explained. “We are very much looking forward to this interesting new type of packaging can attract consumers, form a stable sales network, and enhance the brand's integrity".