Berry Plastics to Dedicate new 600,000 Square Foot Warehouse/Distribution Center

Evansville Indiana, November 12, 2007, Berry Plastics will be dedicating its new 600,000 square foot warehouse distribution center in the new Air Commerce Park on Thursday, November 15 at 11:00 am. The new facility became a reality when the Evansville Vanderburgh Airport Authority District board, local developer, BCKK ( The Kunkel Group), the City of Evansville and Berry Plastics all came together to work on a partnership that would provide an excellent location for Berry's expanded manufacturing needs.

In addition, the Indiana Economic Development Council offered Berry Plastics $500,000 in tax credits and $100,000 in infrastructure support that encouraged Berry to expand its operations on the airport site.

"The expansion will give us the infrastructure Berry must have to move our products to our customers more efficiently. In addition, it will allow Berry to expand its manufacturing capabilities at its Oakley Street production facility" said Bob Smith, Berry's director of warehousing and distribution.

"The cooperation Berry Plastics has received from the City of Evansville and the Evansville Vanderburgh Airport Authority District Board created the opportunity for The Kunkel Group and Berry Plastics to build and occupy this state of the art warehouse facility. The citizens of Evansville, along with all Berry employees, are fortunate to have these great civic leaders working to bring opportunities to our area", stated Ira Boots, Chairman & CEO.

"Berry Plastics believes in Evansville. The proof is in its recent announcement that Evansville will become Berry's global headquarters and add 250 jobs. Today, Berry continues the expansion of its operations with this new warehouse," said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. "Berry's investment here is a sign of the positive environment we are creating for businesses."

Bud Farmer Airport Board President added, "Our community pride for Berry Plastics continues to grow. In addition to their recent announcement of headquarters consolidation and creating 250 new jobs downtown, we now can share with them the excitement of cutting the ribbon for their new 600,000 sq foot distribution center located at the Evansville Regional Airport.

Months ago, some local leaders now known as BCKK, approached us to lease some land with the possibility of building a distribution center for Berry Plastics, and developing an Air Commerce Economic Development Park. Now from vision comes reality. I am proud to say that that reality will happen on December 1st when operations start. On behalf of our forward thinking Board and Staff we are proud to be a part of the economic partnership that has been formed. The Air Commerce Park was opened earlier because of Berry's decision. The infrastructure now built allows many other companies to locate in the new Air Commerce Park. We join with the Mayor and other leaders to say to Berry, "Thanks for your confidence and community commitment." We have been told, at the Airport, that our economic impact to the Community is over $160,000,000. We can safely say that, that figure is greatly outdated as of December 1st.Thanks Berry Plastics."

Ben Kunkel, partner of BCKK stated, "The Kunkel Group and BCKK are ecstatic to have partnered with Berry Plastics as the anchor tenant of the Air Commerce Park Development. Berry Plastics' 600,000 square foot distribution center is a great demonstration of their commitment to Evansville. It has truly been a pleasure to work along side a company that has long been a pillar of this community. Furthermore, The Kunkel Group and BCKK are pleased to have partnered with the Evansville Regional Airport and its board in this progressive endeavor. The Air Commerce Park has limitless potential to be a great economic catalyst for the region.

Although the timeframe of the project from inception to completion was quite aggressive, the collaborative effort and extraordinary team work with Berry Plastics, The Kunkel Group and BCKK made it possible to complete this massive project ahead of schedule.

The Kunkel Group and BCKK stand proud with Berry Plastics as partners moving down an unprecedented path of growth."

Berry Plastics' announced expansion in Evansville is the third in two years from the plastic packaging giant. Less than two weeks ago, Berry announced that it would be establishing its global headquarters at its Oakley Street location adding 250 professional jobs to the local community.