News Release

HARTSVILLE, S.C., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sonoco (NYSE: SON) Board of directors has elected Raymond L. McGowan, Jr. to the position of group vice president, effective immediately, it was announced today by Peter C. Browning, president and chief executive officer.

Mr. McGowan, 47, will continue to have responsibilities for the Company's global composite can business while remaining a member of Sonoco's executive committee.

Mr. McGowan joined Sonoco in 1983 when the Company acquired Container Corporation of America's composite can division where he had served since 1974. He has held a variety of sales, marketing and technology positions during his 25-year career in packaging. Since joining Sonoco, he was named division vice president for the United States and Canada-Consumer Products Division in 1994 and was elected a corporate vice president in 1996. He assumed global responsibility for the Consumer Products Division in 1997 and was named to Sonoco's executive committee in 1998.

A native of Tarrytown, New York, Mr. McGowan was graduated from Providence College in 1974 with a B.A. degree in Political Science and has completed the Executive Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He resides in Hartsville with his wife, Diane. They have two children. He is active in a variety of educational support organizations and is currently serving as chairman of the Board of Visitors of Coker College.

Sonoco, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is a $2.6 billion manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products with approximately 275 operations in 32 countries serving customers in some 85 nations.
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CONTACT: Allan Cecil, Vice President of Sonoco, 843-383-7524