Ball Corporation (BALL)

Sector: Consumer Discretionary|Industry: Packaging & Containers|Market Cap: $16.44B|Employees: 21K


Ball Corporation is a leading global supplier of sustainable aluminum packaging solutions, primarily for the beverage, personal care, and household products industries. The company leverages its manufacturing footprint and customer relationships to produce aluminum beverage containers, aerosol containers, and recloseable aluminum bottles. Ball operates in key markets across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

  1. Filings
  2. Company Profile

Business Summary

Ball Corporation is a leading global supplier of aluminum packaging for the beverage, personal care, and household products industries. The company's core business model involves manufacturing sustainable aluminum packaging products for a variety of end uses. Ball also provides aerospace and other technologies and services to governmental and commercial customers. The company has a diversified customer base, including major multinational beverage and consumer goods companies, and operates manufacturing facilities around the world. Ball focuses on delivering single-use, limited-use, and reusable aluminum cans, bottles, and cups. The company is committed to sustainability and circularity, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint and increase recycling rates. Ball's competitive advantages include its long-term customer relationships, a global manufacturing footprint, and a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Key Statistics

  • Employees: 21,000 (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Geographic Footprint: Global operations
  • Headquarters: Westminster, Colorado
  • Founded: 1880
  • Number of locations/facilities: Multiple manufacturing facilities globally
  • Revenue: $14.03 billion (FY2023)
  • Market Capitalization: $18.33 billion (as of June 30, 2023, aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates)
  • Key Subsidiaries/Brands: Not explicitly stated in the provided text
  • Year Founded: 1880

Leadership

  • CEO: Daniel W. Fisher
  • CFO: Howard H. Yu
  • Other Key Executives:
    • Nate C. Carey, Vice President and Controller
    • Carey S. Causey, Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer
    • Ronald J. Lewis, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer
    • Hannah Lim-Johnson, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
    • Kathleen E. Pitre, Senior Vice President and President, North and Central America
    • Stacey Valy Panayiotou, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
    • Fauze C. Villatoro, Senior Vice President and President, South America
  • Board Chair: Daniel W. Fisher

The provided text does not include specific information on the tenure or background of each executive beyond their current role.

Key Financial Metrics

  • Annual Revenue: $14.03 billion (FY2023)
  • Net Income: $707 million (FY2023)
  • Market Cap: $18.33 billion (as of June 30, 2023, aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates)
  • Total Assets: Not explicitly stated in the provided text
  • Number of Employees: 21,000 (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Key Financial Highlights:
    • Sales decreased by $1.32 billion compared to 2022, primarily due to the sale of the Russian aluminum beverage packaging business and lower volumes and sales prices.
    • Net earnings decreased by $12 million compared to 2022, primarily due to increased interest expense and lower volumes, partially offset by higher sales prices and cost savings.

Products and Services

Ball Corporation's main product categories and services include:

  • Aluminum Beverage Containers: The company's largest product line, sold globally to beverage companies.
  • Extruded Aluminum Aerosol Containers: Sold across multiple consumer categories.
  • Recloseable Aluminum Bottles: Offered across various consumer categories.
  • Aluminum Slugs: Used in aerosol container manufacturing.
  • Aluminum Cups: Sold to various drinking establishments and other venues.
  • Aerospace Technologies and Services: (Divested in February 2024) Included spacecraft, instruments, sensors, radio frequency systems, and data exploitation solutions.

Key Business Segments

Ball Corporation operates through four reportable segments:

  • Beverage Packaging, North and Central America: This segment accounted for 43% of consolidated net sales in 2023.
  • Beverage Packaging, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): This segment accounted for 24% of consolidated net sales in 2023.
  • Beverage Packaging, South America: This segment accounted for 14% of consolidated net sales in 2023.
  • Aerospace: (Divested in February 2024) This segment accounted for 14% of consolidated net sales in 2023.

Business Strategy

Ball's strategy focuses on advancing sustainable aluminum packaging solutions by leveraging its talent, partnerships, innovative products, and manufacturing capabilities. Key strategic priorities include:

  • Maintaining a disciplined financial strategy focused on delivering comparable diluted earnings per share growth of 10 to 15 percent per annum over the long-term.
  • Maximizing cash flow and increasing Economic Value Added (EVA) dollars.
  • Returning value to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividend payments.
  • Evaluating strategic acquisitions, divestitures, and equity investments.
  • Focusing on operational efficiency and sustainability.
  • Investing in innovation and new product development.

The company is also undergoing a significant transformation with the divestiture of its aerospace business in February 2024. Ball aims to use the proceeds from the divestiture to repay debt and accelerate capital return to shareholders.

Industry Context

Ball Corporation primarily operates in the aluminum packaging industry, which is highly competitive and capital intensive. Key market trends include:

  • Primary Industry: Aluminum Packaging
  • Market Trends: Growing demand for sustainable packaging, increasing use of recycled materials, and competition from alternative packaging materials like plastic and glass.
  • Major Competitors: The provided text does not explicitly list major competitors.
  • Market Share: The provided text does not explicitly state Ball's overall market share. However, it does mention estimated shipment percentages in North and Central America (36%), EMEA (38%), and South America (47%).

Risk Factors

  • Market Risks: Intense competition in the packaging and aerospace industries, potential loss of key customers, and competition from alternative products.
  • Operational Risks: Fluctuations in raw material costs, disruptions in the supply chain, and the ability to manage change and growth effectively.
  • Financial Risks: Significant level of debt, exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the potential for impairment of goodwill.
  • Regulatory Risks: Changes in laws and governmental regulations, including those related to environmental, health, and workplace safety.
  • Technological Risks: Cybersecurity threats and the inability to develop or apply new technology.

Last Updated

2024-02-20

(Generated from latest 10-K filing)