03/18/2003

BELL INCORPORATED WINS TWO PAPERBOARD PACKAGING COMPETITION GOLD AWARDS

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

Arlington, VA, March 18, 2003 - Bell Incorporated has been awarded two Gold Awards and one Excellence Award in the 2003 Paperboard Packaging Competition. The awards were announced today by the Paperboard Packaging Council, which gives the awards for packaging excellence. Only 26 out of over 200 entries received gold awards.

Both of Bell's Gold Awards were in the Foods - Carryout category. One Gold Award was for a breakthrough personal pizza carton. The carton includes a film-covered window on the lid that allows consumers to view the product without opening the box. Designed to withstand 150º degree heat for more than an hour, the carton required extensive engineering. Competition judges noted that the carton does an excellent job of solving all the issues: product visibility, low odor inks, grease resistance, and strength... The consumer won't see all that went into this package, but will appreciate the end result."

The other Gold Award was for an innovative design of a French fry container with an integrated condiment holder. The carton was designed not only to provide increased consumer convenience but also to fold flat to reduce storage space in the retail store. Judges commented that the carton "adds a new level of consumer convenience in an ordinary package" and "represents great structural design in a market where it is hard to be distinctly different."

Bell won an Excellence Award in the Novelty Items, Mailers, and Marketing/Promotional Packages category for an improved overnight envelope designed for the United States Postal Service. The design efficiently eliminates problems experienced by high-speed packing centers when filling overnight envelopes.

Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bell Incorporated is one of the 20 largest independently-owned manufacturers of folding cartons in the United States. It is the world's largest producer of overnight envelopes. It also provides comprehensive packaging design, production, shipping and inventory services to a variety industries throughout North America and across the globe. Major customers include Kraft Foods, Kodak, the United States Postal Service, UPS, Tyco, Oscar Meyer, IBP/Tysons and some of the nation's largest fast-food and convenience store chains.