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CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE:ATR) today reported record first quarter sales. Earnings per share equaled the prior yearas all-time high first quarter earnings per share.

First Quarter 2012 Summary

• Reported sales grew 3% (6% excluding currency effects) to first quarter record of $592 million
• Changes in currency exchange rates negatively affected results
• Each segmentas sales increased over the prior year
• Operating income rose to record first quarter level of $70.4 million
• Earnings per share of $.64 were equal to the prior yearas record first quarter level

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, reported sales increased 3% to $592.5 million from $576.5 million a year ago. Changes in currency exchange rates had a negative effect of 3% on the sales growth.

Commenting on the quarter, Stephen Hagge, President and CEO, said, aI am pleased to report we achieved record first quarter sales with core growth of 6%. Our Beauty + Home segment realized core sales growth of 3% on increased sales of our products to each of the markets we serve. Strong demand for our nasal dispensing devices drove our Pharma segmentas sales growth while increased demand for our value-adding dispensing closures from the beverage market was a key factor behind our Food + Beverage segmentas performance. We also had a very successful quarter in the emerging regions.a

Hagge continued, aOperating margins were negatively affected by increased custom tooling sales as well as costs associated with the start-up of our facilities in North Carolina and India. However, in spite of these negative effects we achieved record first quarter operating income. We also faced currency headwinds and a higher effective tax rate than the prior year but we maintained the same level of earnings per share as prior yearas record first quarter level.a

OUTLOOK

Hagge commented, aAs we look forward to the rest of the year, we are encouraged by the many projects we are actively working on with our customers across all of our segments and we are on schedule with bringing our newer facilitiesa capacity on-line. In the near-term, we expect a challenging input cost environment and there is inflation in some emerging regions. We also anticipate currency exchange rates to create stronger headwinds in the second quarter compared to the prior year. Presently we expect diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $.70 to $.75 per share compared to our all-time high quarterly earnings per share of $.74 reported last year.a

OPEN CONFERENCE CALL

There will be a conference call on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. CDT to discuss the Companyas first quarter results for 2012. The call will last approximately one hour. Interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast by visiting the Investor Relations page at [ www.aptar.com ]. Replay of the conference call can also be accessed on the Investor Relations page of the web site.

AptarGroup, Inc. is a leading global supplier of a broad range of innovative dispensing systems for the fragrance/cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, household and food/beverage markets. AptarGroup is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. For more information, visit [ www.aptar.com ].

This press release contains forward-looking statements.Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on managementas beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management.Accordingly, AptarGroupas actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that exist including, but not limited to, economic, environmental or political conditions in the various markets and countries in which AptarGroup operates, changes in customer and/or consumer spending levels; financial conditions of customers and suppliers; fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, components and other input costs; the Companyas ability to increase prices, contain costs and improve productivity; changes in capital availability or cost, including interest rate fluctuations; the competitive marketplace; fiscal and monetary policy; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; direct or indirect consequences of acts of war or terrorism; and labor relations.For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see AptarGroupas filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Kas and Form 10-Qas. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.AptarGroup undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

(1) - The Company evaluates performance of its business units and allocates resources based upon income before net interest expense, certain corporate expenses, and income taxes.