Berry Plastics Corporation is Chamber's 2009 Industry of the Year

Chamber Chairman Todd Davis congratulated Berry Plastics Corporation employees at a news conference on October 1st. Pictured are (left to right): Human Resources Manager Greg Jones, Quality Manager Rick Powell, Chamber Chairman Todd Davis, Plant Manager Terry Wix, Controller Boyd Truelove, and Human Resources Assistant Brandy Meers.

BOWLING GREEN, KY- The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce believes in the importance of recognizing the value of industries' contributions to the local economy. Since January 2008, South Central Kentucky has witnessed 19 new and expanding industry announcements with a reported capital investment of more than $64 million and 767 additional jobs when full employment is attained. The Chamber has participated in 13 of those 19 announcements, with an investment of $45 million and the creation of 753 jobs.

That's why October is deemed Industry Appreciation Month for South Central Kentucky-a celebratory month of events designed to recognize industries' key impact on economic growth in the region. The Chamber kicked off a month of celebration during this morning's news conference, during which Chamber Board Chairman Todd Davis announced that Berry Plastics Corporation (Bowling Green location) is the 2009 Industry of the Year.

"We're proud to recognize Berry Plastics for the company's commitment to employing South Central Kentucky residents at their Bowling Green facility," said Davis. "Having gone through recent expansions here, the company is a tremendous corporate citizen, and we're happy to honor them this October."

Terry Wix, Bowling Green plant manager, added, "Berry Plastics is both excited and honored to be named the 2009 Industry of the Year. We are proud of the 185 associates that make up the Berry Plastics family and their contributions to our corporate and community success. We're all proud to call South Central Kentucky our home.  We express our thanks to Todd and to the Chamber for their desire to recognize the quality organizations that exist in this region and for their efforts in support of local industry in a variety of ways."

The Chamber will honor Berry Plastics and other local industries at the Industry Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday, October 27, at Sloan Convention Center. This year the banquet will include a keynote address by John Britt, co-author of Who Killed Change? and nationally renowned speaker. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.bgchamber.com.

Berry Plastics, Bowling Green began operations in 1995 on a 24-acre tract of land in the South Industrial Park in Bowling Green. The state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facility, which currently employs 185 South Central Kentucky residents, covers 170,900 square feet and manufactures injection and compression molded plastic closures primarily for the food, beverage and distilled spirits industries. The Bowling Green plant produces nearly 4 billion closures annually, with sales in excess of $75 million every year.

Berry Plastics Corporation is headquartered in Evansville, Ind., and was originally established as Imperial Plastics in 1967. The company has since grown into a leading manufacturer of injection-molded plastic packaging, thermoformed products, flexible films and tapes, and coatings.  Jack Berry, Sr. purchased Imperial Plastics in 1983 and soon changed the company's name to Berry Plastics. Four years later, Berry Plastics opened a second manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nev., and in 1988, acquired Gilbert Plastics of New Brunswick, N.J. Acquisitions have continued to be a part of Berry Plastics growth, with the company having acquired more than 20 other companies since the 1990s.

In 2006, Apollo Management L.P. and Graham Partners, Inc. purchased Berry Plastics Corporation, which currently has 68 United States locations, including its Bowling Green and Franklin, Ky., facilities, and other locations in Mexico, Canada, Belgium and China.

The corporation believes in playing an active role in plants' local communities, and the company and its employees are dedicated to serving local causes. Each quarter, Berry Plastics recognizes employee volunteers who donate their time and talent, without pay, to charitable organizations. These individuals are honored during Royalty Acknowledgement Days (RAD Days), and Berry Plastics donates $200 to the employees' designated charities. Some of the charities with which Berry Plastics is involved are

• The American Cancer Society 
• March of Dimes
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

In addition to these charities, local Berry Plastics employees are involved in the Allen County Primary Center, the Bowling Green Independent School District and Warren County Public Schools.

Berry Plastics also works with local elementary schools to teach students the importance of conservation. Company representatives demonstrate how to reduce, reuse and recycle all types of materials, specifically plastic. The students then receive an activity/coloring book that was developed by Berry Plastics employees that explores reducing, reusing and recycling in more detail. Students and their teachers also tour the local Berry Plastics plant during this program.

Tickets for the Industry Appreciation Banquet are available for purchase online at www.bgchamber.com. Contact Program Director Lindsey Moyers for more information.

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009 Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.