Crown Holdings installs beverage-can lines in Vietnam and Cambodia

Crown Holdings announced a first-quarter gross profit increase of 14.5 percent to $213 million. Meanwhile, net sales were $1.7 billion, up 12.4 percent, in comparison to the same period in 2006. The increase in sales was primarily attributable to stronger sales unit volumes, the pass-through of higher raw material costs and foreign currency translation.

"I'm pleased to report that we have started the year well. Volumes were on plan and reflected increases across most products and regions,” reports John Conway, chairman and chief executive officer.

During the quarter, Crown Holdings also completed and commercialized a second beverage can line in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In addition, it began construction in Cambodia of a new beverage-can plant outside of the capital city Phnom Penh.