Pactiv And HMS Mfg. Co. Sign License Agreement To Extend Hefty® Brand Into Housewares Segment Of Consumer Marketplace

Pactiv Corporation, maker of Hefty^® brand products, and HMS Mfg. Co., a leading manufacturer and marketer of houseware products, today announced the signing of a license agreement that allows HMS to develop and market a line of Hefty^® branded housewares products. The first products to be created under this agreement will be a line of Hefty^® brand indoor wastebaskets and outdoor trash cans that offer innovative design and durability to meet most household demands. HMS will launch the new Hefty^® program at the upcoming 2009 International Home & Housewares Show to be held in Chicago, March 22-24.

"Working with an innovative company like HMS enables us to leverage the Hefty^® brand and extend into the housewares category, which is a natural fit for the Hefty^® brand,” said John Schwab, senior vice president and general manager, Hefty^® Consumer Products. "This program will enable us to increase recognition of the Hefty^® brand and strengthen our overall presence in consumers’ homes,” Schwab said.

"We are excited to be working with Pactiv and licensing the Hefty^® brand for a new line of Hefty^® houseware products,” said Janet Sofy, president of HMS Mfg. Co. "Hefty^® products have a superb reputation for quality and dependability, which is ideally suited for the products HMS manufactures and markets. HMS offers a range of product innovation capabilities and core competencies that will enable the company to develop Hefty^® houseware products that help make everyday tasks easier and that deliver quality, durability and convenience – all of which are synonymous with the Hefty^® brand.”

The new Hefty^® brand trash receptacles will be available at retailers during the first quarter of 2010.

About Pactiv Corporation and the Hefty^® Brand

Pactiv Corporation (NYSE: PTV), maker of Hefty^® brand, is a leader in the consumer and foodservice/food packaging markets it serves. With 2008 sales of $3.6 billion, Pactiv derives more than 80 percent of its sales from market sectors in which it holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market-share position. Pactiv’s Hefty^® brand is one of the nation’s most widely recognized brands and a brand leader in key segments of the consumer market, including waste bags, slider storage bags, disposable tableware, and disposable cookware. Pactiv’s foodservice/food packaging offering is one of the broadest in the industry, including both custom and stock products in a variety of materials. For more information, visit www.pactiv.com and www.heftybrands.com.

About HMS Mfg. Co.

HMS Mfg. Co. has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative home and seasonal products since 1987. HMS currently develops products in categories such as Waste, Kitchen & Sink Accessories, Laundry, and Storage. A privately-held company, HMS has leveraged its design and engineering expertise and its focus on customer relationships to become a leading housewares company. For more information on HMS, please visit www.hmsmfg.com.