Sonoco Joins $2 Billion Race for Crown Can Unit

(Bloomberg) -- Packaging maker Sonoco Products Co. is among bidders for Crown Holdings Inc.’s cans unit, which is expected to fetch more than $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

Other suitors include private equity firms KPS Capital Partners, Lone Star Funds, Onex Corp. and Platinum Equity, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Crown is working with an adviser to run an auction for the unit, the people said.

Crown’s shares pared losses on the news. The stock was down 2% at 1:48 p.m. in New York on Monday, after falling as much as 4.8% earlier in the day.

Representatives for Sonoco, Platinum, KPS and Lone Star declined to comment. Representatives for Crown and Onex didn’t respond to requests seeking comment.

Crown, the world’s largest manufacturer of food cans, launched a strategic review for its cans division in 2019. The Philadelphia-based company, which traces its origins to 1892, has more than 200 manufacturing plants globally. Most of its revenue comes from outside the U.S.

A purchase of Crown’s can business would expand Hartsville, South Carolina-based Sonoco’s international sales, particularly in Europe, which makes up about 20% of the business. The company has previously looked to dealmaking to fuel growth.

(Updates with Crown share price in third paragraph)