Vega Accepting Bids for Construction of Georgia Manufacturing Plant

/PRNewswire/ -- VEGA PROMOTIONAL SYSTEMS, INC. (Pink OTC: VGPR) announced today it is accepting bids for the construction of its Georgia fuel pellet manufacturing plant.

The proposed 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility will be located in Tifton, Georgia and will manufacture energy efficient pellet fuel from organic waste bi-products located within the State.

The Company will capitalize on the abundance of biomass in Georgia's Bioenergy Corridor and when completed, the new facility will have the capacity to produce several hundred thousand metric tons of biomass fuel pellets annually.

The State of Georgia ranks third in the nation as a potential source of renewable energy. The amount of privately owned forests in Georgia, more than any other state in the country, is the reason for the State's ranking.

The Company recently announced it is seeking financial assistance from the State of Georgia to build its manufacturing plant. When complete, the facility will create nearly 200 direct or indirect green jobs and address state energy priorities to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Parties interested in bidding on the construction of the plant should visit the Company's website at www.vegabiofuels.com for more information and to receive a detailed bid package.

The Company will announce additional details about the Georgia manufacturing plant as the project moves forward.

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect" "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance (finance or operating) or achievements to differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Leading Plastics Extruder Has Optimistic Outlook, New Name

/PRNewswire/ -- One of North America's leading extruders of plastic profile, tube and sheet today announced a new corporate identity and reported positive indications for growth. The former Filtrona Extrusion is now Pexco. Management of the company, which is headquartered in Atlanta and operates seven manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, remains unchanged.

Despite challenging economic conditions, Pexco is confident about its future prospects. "We're able to compete successfully due to an intense focus on efficiency in design, production and delivery. Pexco is helping other U.S. manufacturers make better products here, not offshore," said Pexco CEO Neil Shillingford.

"Signs of economic recovery are already evident in certain markets," Shillingford added. "We believe that Pexco is well-positioned to prosper as conditions improve. We have worked hard through the downturn to protect our resources -- both equipment and people -- and now we are ideally placed to grow as the market begins to pick up. We see our growth coming from continued commitment to our existing markets, also a renewed focus on product development and strategic acquisitions."

Pexco, which has been the brand name of the company's medical tubing products, chose its new name to emphasize a unified approach across multiple markets and production sites. Other brands that are now part of Pexco include Davidson Traffic Control Products, PDS Fence and A&B Plastics, a well-known brand in the aerospace industry.

Pexco's capabilities are aligned around several core markets: aerospace, retail, medical, traffic control, lighting and fence. It also offers a full range of capabilities including concept design, prototyping, die making, fabrication and sub-assembly. The company operates 126 extruders, 51 co-extruders and six sheet lines in 750,000 sq. ft. of production space. It ships more than 70 million pounds of extruded plastic product annually.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Union Further Delays Delta Employees' Opportunity for Elections

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) yesterday issued the following statement from Mike Campbell, executive vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations, in response to the International Association of Machinists' (IAM) decision to withdraw its application for a union election among Delta's 14,000 fleet service employees.

"The IAM's action is repugnant, and is nothing more than the continuation of a pattern of stalling resolution of union representation among our work groups. The IAM communicated to Delta employees in early August that it could file for elections for the remaining 20,000 employees 'within weeks.' Now, months later, and on the one-year anniversary of our merger, the IAM instead withdraws its application claiming that we are not a single carrier.

"We don't buy it and we don't believe our people will either.

"The timing of the IAM's action is suspicious considering it is taking place days before the NMB publishes its proposal to change the longstanding majority voting rules.

"Further delay disrespects our people who deserve the opportunity to make their own choice regarding union representation."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

NCR Opens New ATM Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, Ga.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today (October 29) opens its new ATM manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ga., rolling out its first NCR SelfServ™ ATMs and bringing innovative manufacturing back to North America. In less than five months after announcing plans to build a domestic manufacturing facility, NCR was able to open the 350,000 square-foot facility and begin production of ATM machines for its North American customers.

The company celebrated the opening at its Corporate Ridge Business Park plant with key officials and elected representatives from the City of Columbus and the State of Georgia, who participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, a tour of the manufacturing plant and an opportunity to see the production of some of the first NCR ATM machines being built at the new site.

NCR has filed for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification—the Green Building Rating System that is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. The company has also reused and recycled materials throughout the building, from the initial demolition, such as cinder blocks and carpet.

“Our decision to bring our North American ATM manufacturing in-house was driven by our belief that as self-service ATM technology becomes more innovative and strategic to financial institutions, the ability to control manufacturing in key markets becomes a core and competitive advantage to our growth strategy,” said Peter Dorsman, senior vice president of Global Operations at NCR. “By in-sourcing the production of our SelfServ ATMs, we will decrease time-to-market, improve our internal collaboration, and lower our current operating costs.”

Approximately 870 jobs will be created at a new Columbus, Ga., site over the next three years. With the help of the state and local government, NCR has already hired and trained nearly 120 employees through Georgia’s Quick Start Program – a customized workforce-training program for businesses across the state. Quick Start has been instrumental in supporting NCR to drive comprehensive employee training plans, create assessment programs and establish a mindset in each employee to strive for continuous improvement efforts.

“Georgia’s strategic strengths in advanced manufacturing will help drive the success of NCR’s new facility in Columbus,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We have an innovative edge here in Georgia that has enabled companies to thrive, and NCR is a perfect fit as it manufactures its next-generation ATMs and self-serve devices for the North American market.”

The City of Columbus offered a location with a talented workforce, close proximity to major transportation hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and many of Georgia’s highly esteemed academic institutions. The new facility is also close to NCR’s innovation center in Duluth, Ga., and the company’s global customer service organization in Peachtree City, Ga.

In addition, NCR’s campus-like ecosystem between its partners, suppliers and Georgia’s academic institutions will help drive and improve cross-functional collaboration, training and innovation -- ensuring that NCR’s manufacturing process is cutting edge.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Analysis of GDP by Bart van Ark, Chief Economist of The Conference Board

/PRNewswire/ -- The expansion in Q3 GDP (3.5%) shows we have clearly begun to emerge from the trough. But there's still a long way to go, and we still don't know enough about the sustainability of these recovery signals. The comparatively good Q3 news is largely driven by temporary factors like an uptick in consumer spending -- notably through the U.S. government's "cash for clunkers" car sales subsidy program -- as well as an easing in inventory rundowns.

Q4 could bring even faster easing in inventory rundowns that accounts for all GDP growth (we forecast 3.1 percent). Consumer spending will fall flat during the holiday season, and exports will recover more slowly than in Q3. Any modest uptick in investments in equipment and software will most likely be offset by continued declines in commercial real estate.

A less powerful inventory boost with no positive offsetting contributors may well limit GDP growth to 1 percent in early 2010. We forecast growth to improve only moderately, to around 2 percent, by the middle of 2010. The savings rate will remain relatively high at 4.5 to 5 percent of disposable income, dampening improvements in real consumer spending, investment and trade.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

FAA Revokes Pilot Licenses

The Federal Aviation Administration has revoked the licenses of two Northwest Airlines pilots who overflew their destination airport on October 21, 2009 while operating Flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis.

The pilots were out of contact with air traffic controllers for an extended period of time and told federal investigators that they were distracted by a conversation. Air traffic controllers and airline officials repeatedly tried to reach them through radio and data contact, without success.

The emergency revocations cite violations of a number of Federal Aviation Regulations. Those include failing to comply with air traffic control instructions and clearances and operating carelessly and recklessly.

The revocations are effective immediately. The pilots have 10 days to appeal the emergency revocations to the National Transportation Safety Board.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage

Governor Perdue Lauds Coca-Cola Expansion

Governor Sonny Perdue today praised The Coca-Cola Company for its continued effort to grow its business presence and invest in Georgia, as the Company prepares to open a $100 million-plus expansion to its Atlanta production facilities.

“Coca-Cola is a very important part of Georgia's economy,” Governor Perdue said. “I am thrilled that after more than a century of doing business in Georgia, Coca-Cola continues to see this state as a great place for new investment in facilities and jobs.”

The plant expansion will contain production facilities for the concentrated ingredients used in the new Coca-Cola Freestyle™ fountain dispenser. Coca-Cola Freestyle™ is the brand name for the “fountain of the future” from The Coca-Cola Company that uses microdosing technology to dispense more than 100 sparkling and still beverage brands from a single freestanding unit.
“The future looks bright for Coca-Cola Freestyle,” said Sandy Douglas, President Coca-Cola North America. “And that creates the potential for even more growth in our facilities and capabilities in Atlanta.”

The new facility will preserve jobs in the Atlanta syrup plant and could lead to job growth in the future. The Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Development Authority of Fulton County worked together to aid Coca-Cola in the plant expansion.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

BWAY Holding Company Announces the Completion of Plastic Packaging Acquisition, Plant Rationalizations, and Provides Fiscal 2010 Guidance

/PRNewswire/ -- BWAY Corporation, the principal operating subsidiary of BWAY Holding Company (NYSE:BWY) , a leading North American supplier of general line rigid containers, today reported that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the assets, and certain liabilities, of Ball Corporation's (NYSE:BLL) plastic packaging plant and business located outside of Atlanta in Newnan, GA. The facility (BWAY's "Atlanta plant") produces injection molded plastic pails and certain other products. The Company paid approximately $32.0 million for the acquisition, and funded the transaction using cash on hand.

Ken Roessler, BWAY's President and Chief Executive Office stated that, "This business is an excellent fit with the Company's core market add-on acquisition strategy. In addition to sales and market share growth, this acquisition provides further product portfolio expansion through the addition of well established screw top pail designs which supports the Company's goal of positioning BWAY as the premier supplier for rigid general line packaging. We expect to realize significant synergies, including potential future plant rationalizations."

The Company announced that it has completed its evaluation of plant rationalizations associated with the August 2009 acquisition of Central Can Company located in Chicago, IL. The Company will close two metal packaging plants located in Chicago, IL and Brampton, ON and move business and certain equipment into the recently acquired Central Can Company facility (BWAY's "Chicago plant"). The Chicago plant consolidation, which will create the second largest plant in the Company's manufacturing network, is expected to be completed during the Company's second fiscal quarter (ending March 31, 2010). Annual synergies from the rationalization, estimated at $6.0 million, are expected to be phased-in during fiscal 2010 beginning in the second fiscal quarter. The Company expects to record restructuring charges associated with this initiative of approximately $3.1 million and accelerated depreciation of $0.8 million during fiscal 2010, and make capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 million to facilitate the consolidation and make productivity improvements.

Commenting on the plant closures, Mr. Roessler stated that, "An important element of our add-on acquisition strategy is the opportunity for significant synergies. The Central Can acquisition clearly met this criterion with expected savings in the areas of purchasing, freight, SG&A, and manufacturing overhead. These plant rationalizations support our ongoing effort to increase the scale of our manufacturing facilities and reduce our fixed cost base."

Also, the Company provided first quarter and full year fiscal 2010 earnings and free cash flow guidance, which includes expectations for the recent acquisitions of Ball Corporation's plastic packaging plant and Central Can Company with announced rationalizations. Specifically, the Company stated the following expectations:

-- The Company's financial expectations assume that end market demand for
fiscal 2010 will have minimal recovery or growth from fiscal 2009. In
addition to sales gains attributable to the recent acquisitions for
fiscal 2010, the Company expects increased sales from share gains
attributable to recently developed plastic products, and continued
cross-selling initiatives between its metal and plastic packaging
segments.
-- First quarter fiscal 2010 (ending December 31, 2009) adjusted net
income of $0.05 - $0.13 per diluted shared. Expected adjustments to
GAAP net income/(loss) per diluted share are restructuring charges and
accelerated depreciation associated with plant rationalizations, and
transaction costs associated with the plastic packaging acquisition
from Ball Corporation totaling $0.11 per diluted share. This compares
to an adjusted net loss per diluted share of $(0.11) for the first
quarter of fiscal 2009, including a $0.02 adjustment to GAAP net loss
per diluted share for restructuring charges. The Company expects
adjusted EBITDA of $22.0 - $25.0 million, excluding $3.6 of
restructuring charges and transaction costs, compared to $15.6 million
for the first quarter last year which excluded $0.7 million of
restructuring charges. The Company's first fiscal quarter has
historically experienced the slowest seasonal demand.
-- Full year fiscal 2010 adjusted net income per diluted share of $1.42 -
$1.60. Expected adjustments to GAAP net income per diluted share are
restructuring charges and accelerated depreciation associated with
plant rationalizations, and transaction costs associated with the
plastic packaging acquisition from Ball Corporation totaling $0.13 per
diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of
$138.0 - $142.0 million, excluding $4.3 of restructuring charges and
transaction costs. The Company stated in a press release on October
12, 2009 that it expects fiscal 2009 adjusted net income per diluted
share to be at the high end of the previously released guidance range
of $1.20 - $1.26, and adjusted EBITDA also at the high end of the
previously announced $122.0 - $124.0 million range.
-- Full year fiscal 2010 free cash flow (net cash provided by operating
activities less capital expenditures) is expected to be in the range
of $55.0 - $60.0 million. On October 12, 2009 the Company disclosed
that it expects fiscal 2009 free cash flow to exceed $50.0 million.
Full year fiscal 2010 capital expenditures, including estimated
expenditures associated with the Chicago plant consolidation discussed
above, are expected to be $23.0 - $25.0 million.

About BWAY Holding Company


BWAY Holding Company is a leading North American supplier of general line rigid containers. The Company operates 20 plants (excluding announced plant closures) throughout the United States and Canada serving industry leading customers on a national basis.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company's liquidity and its possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategies. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "seek," "will," "may" or similar expressions. These statements are based on certain assumptions that management has made in light of its experience in the industry as well as its perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate in these circumstances. As you read and consider this document, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could affect the Company's actual financial results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Some important factors include competitive risk from other container manufacturers or self-manufacture by customers, termination of customer contracts, loss or reduction of business from key customers, dependence on key personnel, changes in steel, resin, other raw material and energy costs or availability, product liability or product recall costs, lead pigment and lead paint litigation, increased consolidation in end markets, consolidation of key suppliers, contractions in end markets, increased use of alternative packaging, labor unrest, environmental, health and safety costs, management's inability to evaluate and selectively pursue acquisitions, fluctuation of quarterly operating results, an increase in interest rates, restrictions in debt agreements, fluctuations of the Canadian dollar, and the other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements contained in this document might not prove to be accurate and you should not place undue reliance upon them. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company provides financial measures and terms not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Presentation of non-GAAP financial measures such as, but not limited to "EBITDA," "adjusted EBITDA," "EBIT," "adjusted EBIT," "adjusted net income (loss)," "adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share", and "gross margin (excluding depreciation and amortization)" provide investors with an alternative method for assessing the Company's operating results in a manner that enables them to more thoroughly evaluate the Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures provide a baseline for assessing the Company's future earnings expectations. BWAY's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the same purpose. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release are provided to give investors access to the types of measures that the Company uses in analyzing its results.

BWAY's calculation of non-GAAP financial measures is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, or to financial measures as defined in the Company's debt agreements. These non-GAAP financial measures may be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Schedules that reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are included with this news release.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Delta Air Lines Issues Statement on Northwest Flight 188 Investigation

/PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today (October 26) issued a statement regarding the company's cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the investigation of Northwest Flight 188. Delta and its Northwest operating subsidiary continue to openly and fully cooperate with the NTSB and FAA to complete the investigation. The pilots in command of Northwest Flight 188 remain suspended until the conclusion of the investigations into this incident.

Using laptops or engaging in activity unrelated to the pilots' command of the aircraft during flight is strictly against the airline's flight deck policies and violations of that policy will result in termination.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson said: "Nothing is more important to Delta than safety. We are going to continue to cooperate fully with the NTSB and the FAA in their investigations."

The NTSB earlier today (October 26) issued a public release highlighting the initial findings of its investigation into the incident, including evidence that the pilots involved said they were distracted at cruise altitude between San Diego and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The NTSB's press release stated that the pilots said in interviews that "there was a concentrated period of discussion where they did not monitor the airplane or calls from ATC even though both stated they heard conversation on the radio ... neither pilot noticed messages that were sent by company dispatchers ... both said they lost track of time ... (and) each pilot accessed and used his personal laptop computer while they discussed the airline crew flight scheduling procedure."

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Red Mango to Award Franchises in Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- Red Mango, the fastest-growing retailer of all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt, has announced that it will begin awarding franchise agreements in Atlanta as part of an aggressive national expansion campaign. Recently honored with Nation's Restaurant News' 2009 "Hot Concepts!" award, the company plans to open some 20 stores in the area over the next five years.

"We're experiencing the strongest franchise growth in our company's history, and Atlanta is the perfect market to add to our network," said James Franks, vice president of franchising for Red Mango. "Despite the economy, the interest in our business and delivering on our brand promise for health, taste and style only gets bigger."

Red Mango launched a national franchise program in 2009 to answer growing consumer demand for a healthy food option that has resulted in some 40 franchise signings with a commitment of 209 new locations to-date. The popularity of the brand's signature tart frozen yogurt with the innovations and the support of a seasoned management team have put the company on track to reach as many as 550 locations across the country in five years.

"Our slogan to 'Treat Yourself Well' has made a real impact, delivering a product that not only tastes great but is good for you too," Franks said. "The franchisees we've attracted who are passionate about delivering that to the marketplace have helped Red Mango grow from coast to coast. It has been a huge win-win situation for our business and for customers across the country."

Red Mango opened its first store in Los Angeles in July 2007 and has grown to almost 60 locations across 14 states.

Red Mango is currently awarding franchise opportunities in select markets across the country for business owners and entrepreneurs interested in joining the growing network. Visit www.redmangofranchising.com for more information.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page