BOULDER, Colo., April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Corporation yesterday broke ground on an expansion of its Aerospace Manufacturing Center (AMC) at a groundbreaking ceremony in Westminster, CO. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, United States Representatives Mike Coffman (CO-6) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-7), and Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison joined senior Ball leadership for the event. When fully completed, the 145,000 square foot expansion will significantly enhance the manufacturing and production capabilities of Ball Aerospace, a business of Ball Corporation.

"We are here to break ground on the expansion of the Aerospace Manufacturing Center in order to keep pace with projected growth and meet the needs of the customers we serve every day," said John Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ball Corporation. "Ball Aerospace has received multiple awards and recognitions at the highest levels from its customers for on-time performance, execution, affordability and best-in-class workforce. This expansion will ensure we maintain our competitive advantages within the aerospace market."

The AMC houses design facilities, product manufacturing, test ranges and administrative space. It was initially built in the late 1980s, and underwent an expansion in 2006 of 60,000 square feet. The expansion is expected to be completed by Spring 2019.

"Ball is a major contributing factor to the State of Colorado's status as the nation's second-largest aerospace economy," said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. "Ball is a substantial employer and philanthropic force in our communities, and I congratulate Ball on their continued success."

"As a Marine Corps combat veteran and a subcommittee chairman on the House Armed Services Committee, I deeply appreciate all that Ball Corporation does for our war fighters and how this expansion will increase their capacity to further contribute to our nation's security," said U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-6).

"The expansion of the Aerospace Manufacturing Center will continue to support Ball's work on national security and intelligence programs, as well as space and Earth science exploration," said U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-7). "I appreciate Ball's leadership in the development of spacecraft, instruments and other technologies and look forward to working with them as they continue to push boundaries and reach new levels."

The architect for the expansion is RNL, Hensel Phelps is the General Contractor, and CPI will serve as the Project Manager.

Ball Aerospace pioneers discoveries that enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.  We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet, deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely. For more information, visit www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 18,450 people worldwide and 2016 net sales were $9.1 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "targets," "likely" and similar expressions typically identify forward-looking statements, which are generally any statements other than statements of historical fact. Such statements are based on current expectations or views of the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied. You should therefore not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements and any of such statements should be read in conjunction with, and, qualified in their entirety by, the cautionary statements referenced below. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be different are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Additional factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; competitive activity; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or a loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; currency controls; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding geopolitical events and governmental policies both in the U.S. and in other countries, including the U.S. government elections, budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives and synergies; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures, including with respect to the Rexam PLC acquisition and its integration, or the associated divestiture; the effect of the acquisition or the divestiture on our business relationships, operating results and business generally.

SOURCE Ball Corporation