


Bemis Announces 26th Consecutive Annual Cash Dividend Increase
NEENAH, Wis.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE: BMS) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a 2.3 percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend, increasing it to 22.5 cents per share compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 22.0 cents per share. The cash dividend is payable on March 2, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2009. This marks the 26th consecutive year that the Company has increased its dividend payment. Bemis has been paying an annual dividend on its stock since 1922.
"Our dividend program is an important part of our shareholders' total return on investment in Bemis Company," said Henry Theisen, Bemis Company President and Chief Executive Officer. "The fact that our annual cash dividend has increased consecutively for 26 years demonstrates our consistent confidence in Bemis' future growth and expectations for continued strong cash flow."
About Bemis Company, Inc.
Bemis Company is a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, manufacturing, and other companies worldwide. Founded in 1858, the Company reported 2008 net sales of $3.8 billion. The Company's flexible packaging business has a strong technical base in polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing and converting. The Company's pressure sensitive materials business specializes in adhesive technologies. Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Bemis employs about 15,400 individuals in 56 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries around the world. More information about the Company is available at its website, [ www.bemis.com ].