Ball

Product brand

A global manufacturer of aluminum beverage and other metal packaging, historically associated with home-canning jars and, until 2024, aerospace systems.

Last updated November 3, 2026

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Overview

Ball Corporation is a United States-based manufacturer whose principal business is metal packaging, especially aluminum beverage cans, ends, bottles, aerosol containers, food cans and related specialty products. The company also has a long historical association with the Ball brand of glass home-canning jars, although Ball Corporation itself exited the home-canning business in 1996 and no longer manufactures those jars. The consumer Ball jar trademark is now licensed to Newell Brands for home-canning products. The business began in 1880 in Buffalo, New York, when brothers Frank and Edmund Ball acquired the Wooden Jacket Can Company with financial assistance from their uncle George Harvey Ball. The original company made tin containers with wooden jackets for products such as kerosene, paint and varnish. Because the acids associated with some petroleum products corroded tin, the brothers moved toward glass inserts and began producing glass containers. After the Mason Improved fruit-jar patent expired, the company entered the home-canning market and developed the jars and lids that made the Ball name widely recognized in American households. The company incorporated in 1886 and moved its main glass and metal operations to Muncie, Indiana, where natural-gas availability supported glass production. Its early growth came from manufacturing canning jars, closures and related materials, but it gradually integrated upstream into materials such as zinc, rubber and paper. It also broadened its product range in response to changing demand. During the Great Depression, declining household demand for canning jars encouraged the company to develop commercial containers and other businesses; during the Second World War, some facilities produced shells and machine parts for military use. After the war, antitrust restrictions and weakening demand for home-canning products pushed Ball toward diversification. The company developed research capabilities in aerospace during the 1950s and began supplying equipment and spacecraft systems. Its work for NASA included the Orbiting Solar Observatory program and later a range of satellite, scientific-instrument and aerospace contracts. Aerospace became an important second business alongside packaging, but it was sold to BAE Systems in 2024 for $5.6 billion in cash, leaving Ball focused primarily on metal packaging. Ball became a public company during the 1970s and expanded through acquisitions in recyclable aluminum cans, European beverage packaging, aerosol packaging and aluminum slugs. Major transactions included the acquisition of Schmalbach-Lubeca in 2002, U.S. Can in 2006, and Rexam in 2016. The Rexam transaction made Ball the world's largest producer of aluminum beverage cans at the time and materially expanded its international manufacturing network. Today, Ball presents itself as a global packaging supplier serving beverage, personal-care, household, food and other consumer-product markets. Its strategic positioning emphasizes aluminum's recyclability, lightweighting, circularity and potential role in lower-carbon packaging systems. The company has also used acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and long-term customer relationships to manage regional capacity and concentrate on packaging categories where it can operate at large scale. Its corporate headquarters are in Westminster, Colorado, and its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BALL.

History

Ball Corporation traces its origins to 1880, when Frank C. Ball and Edmund B. Ball acquired the Wooden Jacket Can Company in Buffalo, New York. The business initially produced tin cans surrounded by wooden jackets for kerosene, paints and varnishes. Corrosion problems encouraged the brothers to use glass inserts, and the company soon developed its own glass-manufacturing capability. It began making fruit jars after the expiration of the Mason Improved fruit-jar patent, adding metal lids and a recognizable Ball mark to its products. The company was incorporated in 1886 as the Ball Brothers Manufacturing Company. Seeking reliable natural-gas supplies for glassmaking, the brothers moved the principal glass and metal operations to Muncie, Indiana. A new plant began producing glass in 1888, and by 1889 the company's headquarters and major operations had moved there. Fires, energy shortages and labor disputes created recurring difficulties, but the company expanded through process improvements, acquisitions and increased demand for home-canning jars. A machine patented by F. C. Ball in 1898 helped mechanize glass production, and output reached tens of millions of jars annually by the early twentieth century. Ball diversified its production and materials base during the first half of the twentieth century. In addition to glass, it developed or acquired capabilities in zinc, rubber, paper, steel and other materials used in its closures and packaging. The company changed its name to Ball Brothers Company in 1922. Falling demand for household canning during the 1930s led it to pursue commercial containers and additional businesses. During World War II, portions of its manufacturing capacity were adapted for military production. The postwar period brought both legal constraints and strategic pressure. Ball was involved in an antitrust case involving glass manufacturers and equipment producers; the resulting restrictions limited certain acquisitions without court approval. At the same time, household demand for canning jars weakened, contributing to a significant operating loss in 1949. Management responded by seeking new growth platforms, including aerospace research. Ball Brothers Research Corporation established laboratories in Colorado and Indiana, and the company began manufacturing aerospace equipment around 1959. Ball's aerospace work expanded through NASA and other government contracts. The company designed and built the OSO-1 scientific satellite, launched in 1962, and later participated in additional spacecraft and instruments. An explosion at an OSO-2 facility in 1964 killed three workers and damaged the satellite, but the company continued developing aerospace systems, avionics and scientific hardware. Aerospace became an important part of Ball's identity while packaging remained its industrial foundation. The company adopted the name Ball Corporation in 1969 and moved deeper into aluminum beverage packaging through acquisitions, including Jeffco Manufacturing. Its shares became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange during the 1970s. Ball continued expanding internationally and by category, acquiring a Chinese packaging company in 1997, moving its corporate headquarters from Muncie to Colorado in 1998, buying Schmalbach-Lubeca in 2002, entering steel aerosol packaging through U.S. Can in 2006, and acquiring aluminum-slug businesses in 2010. The 2016 Rexam acquisition made Ball the world's largest aluminum beverage-can producer at that time. Ball separated from the home-canning business in 1996 through the creation of Alltrista. Alltrista later became Jarden, which merged with Newell Rubbermaid in 2016 to form Newell Brands. Newell Brands retains the consumer license for Ball-branded home-canning jars and supplies, while Ball Corporation focuses on industrial metal packaging. In 2020, the company received naming rights to Denver's Ball Arena. In 2024, Ball sold Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems for $5.6 billion in cash, completing a major portfolio shift toward packaging and away from aerospace. In 2025, it announced the sale of its Aluminum Cup business and the creation of Oasis Venture Holdings, a joint venture in which Ayna.ai was identified as majority owner. The modern company is therefore principally a global metal-packaging manufacturer, with aluminum beverage cans and related products at the center of its business.

2024
Ball sells aerospace division
[4]Ball Corporation newsroomball.com
Ball sold Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems for $5.6 billion in cash and refocused on packaging.
2020
Ball Arena naming agreement
[5]Ball Arenaen.wikipedia.org
Denver's Pepsi Center was renamed Ball Arena under a multiyear naming-rights agreement.
2016
Rexam acquisition
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Ball completed its acquisition of Rexam, becoming the largest aluminum beverage-can producer globally at the time.
2002
Schmalbach-Lubeca acquisition
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition established Ball Packaging Europe and expanded the company's European beverage-can operations.
1996
Exit from home canning
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Ball separated its home-canning operations into Alltrista and ceased producing glass Mason jars itself.
1973
Public trading begins on the NYSE
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Ball became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
1969
Company renamed Ball Corporation
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The company adopted the Ball Corporation name.
1962
OSO-1 satellite launches
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Ball's first major NASA satellite project, Orbiting Solar Observatory 1, launched successfully.
1922
Company renamed Ball Brothers Company
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The corporate name changed as the business expanded beyond its original operations.
1888
Muncie glass production begins
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Ball began producing glass at its new Muncie, Indiana, facility.
1886
Business incorporated
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The company was incorporated under the Ball Brothers Manufacturing Company name.
1880
Ball brothers acquire Wooden Jacket Can Company
[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Frank and Edmund Ball acquired the Buffalo, New York, container business that became the foundation of Ball Corporation.

Products and positioning

A scale-based global supplier of recyclable aluminum and other metal packaging, with a strategic emphasis on lightweighting, circularity and lower-carbon packaging. Historically, the company also positioned itself as a diversified aerospace technology provider, but it exited aerospace in 2024.

Metal packaging
Aluminum beverage cans
Ball's core modern product is the aluminum beverage can, supplied in multiple diameters, heights and formats for beer, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, water and other beverages. The company promotes aluminum's recyclability, lightweight construction and compatibility with high-volume filling systems. Can decoration, shaping and material reduction allow customers to differentiate products while managing packaging weight and resource use.
Closures
Beverage ends and tabs
Ball manufactures aluminum ends and opening systems used with beverage cans. These components are engineered for sealing, pressure management, efficient filling-line handling and consumer opening. Product variations can support different can sizes, beverage applications and brand requirements, while lightweighting and material efficiency are central design considerations.
Metal packaging
Aluminum bottles
The company's aluminum bottles provide a shaped, recyclable alternative to conventional beverage containers. They are used where brands want a distinctive silhouette, premium appearance or a package suitable for reuse and recycling narratives. Ball supplies bottle formats and related manufacturing capabilities for beverage customers in selected markets.
Metal packaging · 2006
Aerosol and specialty metal containers
Ball's metal-packaging portfolio includes aerosol containers and specialty formats for personal-care, household, food and other products. These packages are designed around pressure resistance, barrier performance, dispensing requirements, decoration and compatibility with customer filling processes. Ball entered steel aerosol packaging through its 2006 U.S. Can acquisition.
Glass home-canning products · 1884
Ball home-canning jars
Ball glass jars, lids and home-canning supplies were historically manufactured by Ball Corporation and became the company's best-known consumer products. Ball Corporation exited the home-canning business in 1996. Newell Brands now owns or licenses the consumer Ball brand for home-canning products, so these products should not be treated as current Ball Corporation manufacturing lines.
Aerospace technology · 1959
Aerospace systems and satellites
Ball developed spacecraft, satellite structures, scientific instruments, avionics and related aerospace systems from the late 1950s onward. Its portfolio included NASA scientific missions such as the Orbiting Solar Observatory program and the Kepler space telescope. Ball sold Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems in 2024, so aerospace is a historical rather than current Ball Corporation offering.

Marketing campaigns

2020Ball Arena naming-rights partnership
United States
Ball entered a multiyear global agreement with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment that gave it naming rights to Denver's downtown sports venue, formerly known as Pepsi Center. The venue became Ball Arena, increasing public visibility for the corporate brand beyond industrial packaging.
Outcome. The venue continues to operate under the Ball Arena name.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Sell Aluminum Cup business and form Oasis Venture HoldingsM&A
Background
Ball continued portfolio simplification around its principal metal-packaging activities.
Action taken
The company announced the sale of its Aluminum Cup business and the formation of Oasis Venture Holdings, with Ayna.ai as majority owner.
Aftermath
Ball continued to focus on its core metal packaging operations, while details of the Aluminum Cup business and Oasis Venture Holdings operations were not fully disclosed.
Source
2024
Exit aerospace through sale of Ball AerospaceStrategy
Background
Ball stated that it wanted to concentrate on lower-carbon, value-focused aluminum-packaging initiatives.
Action taken
Ball sold Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems for $5.6 billion in cash.
Aftermath
Ball became more narrowly focused on global metal packaging, while BAE Systems acquired the aerospace business.
Cash consideration. $5.6 billion (2024 transaction)
Source
2016
Acquire RexamM&A
Background
Ball sought greater global scale in aluminum beverage packaging.
Action taken
Ball acquired British packaging company Rexam.
Aftermath
The transaction made Ball the largest producer of aluminum beverage cans in the world at the time and expanded its international manufacturing footprint.
Source
1996
Separate the home-canning businessStrategy
Background
Ball faced long-term changes in household canning demand and was increasingly focused on industrial packaging and aerospace.
Action taken
The company established Alltrista as a separate business containing its home-canning subsidiaries and exited direct production of Ball glass jars.
Aftermath
Alltrista later became Jarden, which merged into Newell Brands. Newell Brands retained the consumer Ball trademark for home-canning products.
Source

Recent events

2025
Ball announces Aluminum Cup transaction and Oasis Venture Holdings joint venture[4]Ball Corporation newsroomball.com
M&A
Ball announced the sale of its Aluminum Cup business and the formation of Oasis Venture Holdings, with Ayna.ai identified as the majority owner.
2024
Ball completes sale of Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems[4]Ball Corporation newsroomball.com
M&A
Ball sold its aerospace business to BAE Systems for $5.6 billion in cash, ending more than six decades of aerospace operations and sharpening the company's focus on aluminum packaging.
2024
Ball announces leadership transition to Daniel Fisher[6]Ball announces leadership transition to Daniel Fisherinvestors.ball.com
Leadership change
Daniel W. Fisher became Ball Corporation's president and chief executive officer after John Hayes's retirement from the role.
2023
Ball agrees to sell aerospace business to BAE Systems[4]Ball Corporation newsroomball.com
M&A
Ball announced an agreement to sell Ball Aerospace to BAE Systems, subject to regulatory and other closing conditions.
2022
Ball changes NYSE ticker symbol from BLL to BALL[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Other
Ball Corporation changed its New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol to BALL on May 10, 2022.
2022
Ball expands aluminum beverage-can capacity[4]Ball Corporation newsroomball.com
Product generation
Ball continued investing in new and expanded aluminum-can manufacturing capacity in response to demand for metal beverage packaging.
2020
Ball Arena receives naming rights[5]Ball Arenaen.wikipedia.org
Other
Ball obtained naming rights to Denver's Pepsi Center through a multiyear agreement with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment; the venue became Ball Arena.
2016
Ball acquires Rexam and expands global beverage-can operations[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Ball acquired British packaging company Rexam, creating a substantially larger international aluminum beverage-can business.
2009
Ball acquires beverage-can plants from AB InBev[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Ball acquired four metal beverage-can plants from AB InBev, adding capacity to its packaging network.
2006
Ball acquires U.S. Can[1]Ball Corporationen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The transaction expanded Ball into steel aerosol and specialty metal packaging.

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