OREANDA-NEWS. September 19, 2016. Ball Aerospace has been named a new Tier 1 supplier in the 2016 U.S. Air Force Superior Supplier Incentive Program ranking. This is the first time Ball has been eligible for the service's third annual ranking and the company debuted at the Tier 1 level. In reporting the 2016 results, the Air Force refined its methodology to better represent the scope of work being assessed in each evaluation.

"This recognition is a perfect example of how Ball goes beyond to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most," said

Rob Strain, president, Ball Aerospace. "We greatly value the collaborative relationship we have with the Air Force and we are honored to work with them to support the men and women who serve our country."

The criteria for the award included suppliers who contributed at the prime contractor level. Ball's National Defense and Systems Engineering Solutions Strategic Business Units are providing key support to the Air Force for various spacecraft and defense programs.

The Air Force rates contractors through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reports created by airmen and women who acquire the materiel and services provided by rated companies. The Superior Supplier ranking compiles three years of this data and categorizes suppliers at Tier I, Tier II or Tier III. This provides feedback at a higher level than an individual contract and serves as an incentive to improve. Individual business units within a company are rated, not the entire company. For more information visit the U.S. Air Force website.

Ball Aerospace pioneers discoveries that enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most. We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet, deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely. For more information, visit www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 18,700 people worldwide and pro forma 2015 net sales were \\$11.0 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather;  competitive activity; failure to achieve synergies, productivity improvements or cost  reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; currency controls; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives and synergies; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures, including with respect to the Rexam PLC acquisition or the associated divestiture; the effect of the acquisition or the divestiture on our business relationships, operating results and business generally; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us related to the acquisition or the divestiture.