Edgar Filing: SONOCO PRODUCTS CO

e10vq

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2010


o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 0-516

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


Incorporated under the laws		I.R.S. Employer Identification
of South Carolina		No. 57-0248420

1 N. Second St.
Hartsville, South Carolina 29550
Telephone: 843/383-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock at October 19, 2010:

Common stock, no par value: 102,902,130

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

INDEX


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements:			3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 26, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009 (unaudited)			3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income — Three and Nine Months Ended September 26, 2010 (unaudited) and September 27, 2009 (unaudited)			4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow — Nine Months Ended September 26, 2010 (unaudited) and September 27, 2009 (unaudited)			5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			6

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			24

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			25

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			37

Item 4. Controls and Procedures			37

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings			37

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			39

Item 6. Exhibits			39
EX-15
EX-31
EX-32
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands)


	September 26,			December 31,
	2010			2009*
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	168,700		$	185,245
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances		546,532			428,293
Other receivables		30,642			35,469
Inventories:
Finished and in process		141,648			114,652
Materials and supplies		211,577			173,876
Prepaid expenses		53,989			33,300
Deferred income taxes		25,843			25,738

		1,178,931			996,573
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		937,397			926,829
Goodwill		835,163			813,530
Other Intangible Assets, Net		133,327			115,044
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes		55,646			57,105
Other Assets		162,420			153,499

Total Assets	$	3,302,884		$	3,062,580


Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities
Payable to suppliers	$	426,827		$	375,365
Accrued expenses and other		342,129			299,950
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt		112,372			118,053
Accrued taxes		7,431			12,271

		888,759			805,639
Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion		513,592			462,743
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits		311,004			321,355
Deferred Income Taxes		29,684			30,571
Other Liabilities		59,242			61,642
Commitments and Contingencies
Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock, no par value
Authorized 300,000 shares
100,690 and 100,149 shares issued and outstanding at September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively		7,175			7,175
Capital in excess of stated value		448,704			421,632
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(300,757	)		(310,469	)
Retained earnings		1,330,261			1,248,043

Total Sonoco Shareholders’ Equity		1,485,383			1,366,381
Noncontrolling Interests		15,220			14,249

Total Equity		1,500,603			1,380,630

Total Liabilities and Equity	$	3,302,884		$	3,062,580


*		The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net sales	$	1,051,725		$	930,560		$	2,996,974		$	2,595,420
Cost of sales		852,141			757,504			2,429,108			2,123,217


Gross profit		199,584			173,056			567,866			472,203
Selling, general and administrative expenses		102,533			98,085			298,308			277,623
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		12,166			158			18,624			17,754


Income before interest and income taxes		84,885			74,813			250,934			176,826
Interest expense		9,176			10,202			27,045			31,167
Interest income		732			801			1,606			2,064


Income before income taxes		76,441			65,412			225,495			147,723
Provision for income taxes		21,091			16,436			66,853			42,912


Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		55,350			48,976			158,642			104,811
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		3,871			2,401			8,088			3,291


Net income	$	59,221		$	51,377		$	166,730		$	108,102

Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(202	)	$	(3,706	)	$	(186	)	$	(3,699	)


Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	59,019		$	47,671		$	166,544		$	104,403


Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		101,693			100,829			101,460			100,717

Diluted		102,684			101,105			102,341			100,876


Per common share:
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic	$	0.58		$	0.47		$	1.64		$	1.04

Diluted	$	0.57		$	0.47		$	1.63		$	1.03


Cash dividends	$	0.28		$	0.27		$	0.83		$	0.81

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended
	September 26,			September 27,
	2010			2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	166,730		$	108,102
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairment charges		9,309			10,184
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		124,408			128,104
Share-based compensation expense		12,357			5,580
Equity in earnings of affiliates		(8,088	)		(3,291	)
Cash dividends from affiliated companies		10,415			4,030
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets		836			(16,274	)
Pension and postretirement plan expense		38,152			63,931
Pension and postretirement plan contributions		(18,344	)		(17,765	)
Tax effect of nonqualified stock options		2,353			1,133
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation		(2,123	)		(384	)
Net increase (decrease) in deferred taxes		281			(7,484	)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions, dispositions, and foreign currency adjustments:
Trade accounts receivable		(105,659	)		(42,064	)
Inventories		(42,138	)		30,989
Payable to suppliers		54,104			20,160
Prepaid expenses		(3,220	)		7,336
Income taxes payable and other income tax items		(23,481	)		24,562
Fox River environmental reserves		(1,489	)		(5,250	)
Other assets and liabilities		46,183			46,241

Net cash provided by operating activities		260,586			357,840

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(101,159	)		(82,807	)
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(134,260	)		(500	)
Proceeds from the sale of assets		8,115			16,956
Investment in affiliates and other		(8,400	)		(2,215	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(235,704	)		(68,566	)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt		8,094			23,129
Principal repayment of debt		(13,329	)		(32,304	)
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper		43,000			(95,000	)
Net decrease in outstanding checks		(13,241	)		(18,043	)
Proceeds from early settlement of interest rate swap		5,939			—
Excess tax benefit of share-based compensation		2,123			384
Cash dividends		(83,432	)		(80,876	)
Shares acquired		(381	)		(1,203	)
Shares issued		12,079			3,239

Net cash used in financing activities		(39,148	)		(200,674	)

Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash		(2,279	)		3,863


Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(16,545	)		92,463
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		185,245			101,655


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	168,700		$	194,118

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Interim Presentation

In the opinion of the management of Sonoco Products Company (the “Company” or “Sonoco”), the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise stated) necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported herein. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information of the Company for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 included in this Form 10-Q, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated October 25, 2010 appearing herein, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

Note 2: Shareholders’ Equity

Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 26,		September 27,		September 26,		September 27,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	59,019	$	47,671	$	166,544	$	104,403


Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		101,693,000		100,829,000		101,460,000		100,717,000
Dilutive effect of:
Stock-based compensation		991,000		276,000		881,000		159,000

Dilutive shares outstanding		102,684,000		101,105,000		102,341,000		100,876,000


Reported net income attributable to Sonoco per common share:
Basic	$	0.58	$	0.47	$	1.64	$	1.04

Diluted	$	0.57	$	0.47	$	1.63	$	1.03

Stock options and stock appreciation rights to purchase 1,886,544 and 3,345,019 shares at September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively, were not dilutive and, therefore, are excluded from the computations of diluted income attributable to Sonoco per common share amounts. No adjustments were made to reported net income attributable to Sonoco in the computations of earnings per share.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Stock Repurchases

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. No shares were repurchased under this authorization during the first nine months of 2010. Accordingly, at September 26, 2010, a total of 5,000,000 shares remain available for repurchase.

The Company occasionally repurchases shares of its common stock to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with the exercise of stock appreciation rights and performance-based stock awards. These repurchases, which are not part of a publicly announced plan or program, totaled 11,887 shares in the first nine months of 2010 at a cost of $381, and 49,416 shares in the first nine months of 2009 at a cost of $1,203.

Dividend Declarations

On July 21, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share. This dividend was paid September 10, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of August 20, 2010.

On October 18, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share. This dividend is payable December 10, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of November 19, 2010.

Note 3: Acquisitions

On June 29, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc. (APT), a supplier of containers to the frozen food industry. APT operates four manufacturing facilities (two in the United States, one in Canada, and one in Ireland) and employs more than 400 persons. The all-cash purchase price, including the cost of paying off various obligations of APT, was $119,968. The acquisition is expected to generate annualized sales of approximately $150,000, which will be accounted for in the Company’s Consumer Packaging segment. In conjunction with this acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $72,535, identifiable intangibles of $22,100 and goodwill of $25,333 (the majority of which is expected to be tax deductible). Also in the third quarter, the Company acquired a small tubes and cores business in Canada for an all-cash purchase price of $4,078.

On May 1, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Madem Reels USA, Inc., a manufacturer of nailed wood and plywood reels for the wire and cable industry, at a cost of $10,214 in cash. The acquisition of this business, which is accounted for in All Other Sonoco, is expected to generate annual sales of approximately $9,000. In conjunction with this acquisition, the Company recorded net tangible assets of $7,763 and identifiable intangibles of $2,451.

These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases; accordingly, their results of operations have been included in consolidated net income from the respective dates of acquisition. Pro forma results have not been provided, as the acquisitions were not material individually, or in the aggregate, to the Company’s financial statements.

Note 4: Restructuring and Asset Impairment

The Company has engaged in a number of restructuring actions over the past several years. Actions initiated in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are reported as “2010 Actions,” “2009 Actions,” “2008 Actions” and “2007 Actions,” respectively. The Company has two previous formal restructuring plans that are still active, although both were substantially complete at September 26, 2010. These are reported as “Earlier Actions.”

In addition, pursuant to notification from a large customer that the Company’s contract to provide certain packaging would not be renewed in its entirety, during the third quarter of 2010 the Company concluded that certain affected assets in its Consumer Packaging segment had been impaired resulting in a pre-tax asset impairment charge of $12,572.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Following are the total restructuring and asset impairment charges, net of adjustments, recognized by the Company during the periods presented:


	2010						2009
	Third			Nine			Third			Nine
	Quarter			Months			Quarter			Months
Restructuring related charges:
2010 Actions	$	362		$	4,220		$	¾		$	¾
2009 Actions		(1,449	)		1,653			5,498			21,089
2008 Actions		363			755			1,043			7,229
2007 Actions		179			440			(6,402	)		(10,873	)
Earlier Actions		139			(1,016	)		19			309

Restructuring related charges	$	(406	)	$	6,052		$	158		$	17,754
Other asset impairments		12,572			12,572			¾			¾

Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	$	12,166		$	18,624		$	158		$	17,754
Income tax benefit		(5,150	)		(7,816	)		(7	)		(5,392	)
Equity method investments, net of tax		(160	)		58			¾			367
Costs attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, net of tax		55			116			3,062			3,822

Total impact of Restructuring/Asset impairment charges, net of tax	$	6,911		$	10,982		$	3,213		$	16,551

Restructuring and asset impairment charges are included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company expects to recognize future additional cash costs totaling approximately $3,700 in connection with previously announced restructuring actions and believes that the majority of these charges will be incurred and paid by the end of 2010. The Company regularly evaluates its cost structure, including its manufacturing capacity, and additional restructuring actions may be undertaken.

2010 Actions

During 2010, the Company initiated the consolidation of two manufacturing operations in the Packaging Services segment into a single facility as well as the closure of a North American tube and core plant (part of the Tubes and Cores/Paper segment). In addition, the Company continued to realign its cost structure resulting in the elimination of 90 positions in 2010.

Below is a summary of 2010 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.


				Total
	Third			Incurred to			Estimated
2010 Actions	Quarter			Date			Total Cost
Severance and Termination Benefits
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment	$	184		$	1,409		$	1,834
Consumer Packaging segment		¾			705			705
Packaging Services segment		65			1,538			1,538
All Other Sonoco		¾			63			63
Corporate		35			35			35
Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment		¾			38			38
Packaging Services segment		(126	)		(234	)		(234	)
All Other Sonoco		¾			369			369
Other Costs
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment		¾			¾			400
Packaging Services segment		121			145			145
All Other Sonoco		83			152			227


Total Charges and Adjustments	$	362		$	4,220		$	5,120

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2010 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:


	Severance			Asset
2010 Actions	and			Impairment/
Accrual Activity	Termination			Disposal			Other
2010 Year to Date	Benefits			of Assets			Costs			Total
Liability at December 31, 2009	$	¾		$	¾		$	¾		$	¾
2010 charges		3,750			407			297			4,454
Adjustments		¾			(234	)		¾			(234	)
Cash receipts/(payments)		(3,035	)		560			(297	)		(2,772	)
Asset writeoffs		¾			(733	)		¾			(733	)
Foreign currency translation		(18	)		¾			¾			(18	)

Liability at September 26, 2010	$	697		$	¾		$	¾		$	697

2009 Actions

During 2009, the Company initiated closures in its Tubes and Cores/Paper segment including a paper mill in the United States and five tube and core plants — three in the United States, one in Europe, and one in Canada. The Company also initiated the closures of a rigid paper packaging plant in the United States (part of the Consumer Packaging segment), a fulfillment service center in Germany (part of the Packaging Services segment), and a molded plastics facility in the United States (part of All Other Sonoco). The Company also sold a small Canadian recovered paper brokerage business during 2009. In addition to the plant closures, the Company realigned its fixed cost structure resulting in the elimination of approximately 210 positions in 2009.

Below is a summary of 2009 Actions and related expenses by type incurred and estimated to be incurred through completion.


	2010						2009					Total
	Third			Nine			Third			Nine		Incurred		Estimated
2009 Actions	Quarter			Months			Quarter			Months		to Date		Total Cost
Severance and Termination Benefits
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment	$	(63	)	$	(48	)	$	3,365		$	9,222	$	13,477	$	13,477
Consumer Packaging segment		¾			310			605			805		2,355		2,355
Packaging Services segment		88			35			376			1,348		1,467		1,467
All Other Sonoco		¾			198			32			1,060		1,436		1,436
Corporate		¾			269			647			647		934		934
Asset Impairment / Disposal of Assets
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment		(2,112	)		(1,937	)		(282	)		6,420		4,446		4,446
Consumer Packaging segment		20			20			¾			¾		576		576
Packaging Services segment		¾			¾			¾			¾		7		7
All Other Sonoco		¾			2			¾			¾		305		305
Other Costs
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment		581			1,840			736			1,338		3,756		4,806
Consumer Packaging segment		37			636			¾			¾		715		1,365
Packaging Services segment		¾			180			¾			¾		325		325
All Other Sonoco		¾			148			19			249		483		533


Total	$	(1,449	)	$	1,653		$	5,498		$	21,089	$	30,282	$	32,032

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The following table sets forth the activity in the 2009 Actions restructuring accrual included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:


	Severance			Asset
2009 Actions	and			Impairment/
Accrual Activity	Termination			Disposal			Other
2010 Year to Date	Benefits			of Assets			Costs			Total
Liability at December 31, 2009	$	8,825		$	¾		$	11		$	8,836
2010 charges		1,339			419			2,804			4,562
Adjustments		(575	)		(2,334	)		¾			(2,909	)
Cash receipts/(payments)		(5,597	)		4,885			(2,815	)		(3,527	)
Asset writeoffs		¾			(2,970	)		¾			(2,970	)
Foreign currency translation		(31	)		¾			¾			(31	)

Liability at September 26, 2010	$	3,961		$	¾		$	¾		$	3,961

Proceeds of $4,621 were received in the third quarter of 2010 from the sale of the land and building associated with a former tube and core manufacturing facility in Europe that was closed in 2009. A gain of $2,172 was recognized on the sale and is reflected under “Adjustments” in the “2009 Actions” table above.

2008 Actions

During 2008, the Company initiated the following closures in its Tubes and Cores/Paper segment: ten tube and core plants, three in the United States, three in Canada, two in the United Kingdom, one in Spain, and one in China; two paper mills, one in the United States and one in Canada; and a specialty paper machine in the United States. In addition, closures were initiated at four rigid packaging plants in the United States (part of the Consumer Packaging segment) and two fulfillment centers in the United States (part of the Packaging Services segment). The Company also realigned its fixed cost structure resulting in the elimination of approximately 125 salaried positions.

The estimated total cost of 2008 Actions is expected to reach $47,900, of which $47,209 had been incurred as of September 26, 2010. Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2008 Actions for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009.


	2010				2009
	Third		Nine		Third		Nine
2008 Actions	Quarter		Months		Quarter		Months
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment	$	345	$	632	$	825	$	6,377
Consumer Packaging segment		18		120		218		1,019
Packaging Services segment		¾		¾		¾		(278	)
Corporate		¾		3		¾		111


Total Charges and Adjustments	$	363	$	755	$	1,043	$	7,229

The accrual for 2008 actions totaled $763 and $2,954 as of September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Net cash payments during the nine months ended September 26, 2010 were $3,249.

2007 Actions

In 2007, the Company initiated the closures of the following operations: a metal ends plant in Brazil (part of the Consumer Packaging segment), a rigid packaging plant in the United States (part of the Consumer Packaging segment), a paper mill in China (part of the Tubes and Cores/Paper segment), a molded plastics plant in Turkey (part of All Other Sonoco), and a point-of-purchase display manufacturing plant in the United States (part of the Packaging Services segment).

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The estimated total cost of 2007 Actions is expected to reach $25,375, of which $25,146 had been incurred as of September 26, 2010. Below is a summary of expenses/(income) incurred by segment for 2007 Actions for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009.


	2010				2009
	Third		Nine		Third			Nine
2007 Actions	Quarter		Months		Quarter			Months
Tubes and Cores/Paper segment	$	149	$	366	$	(6,410	)	$	(10,962	)
Consumer Packaging segment		30		74		8			96
All other Sonoco		¾		¾		¾			(7	)


Total Charges and Adjustments	$	179	$	440	$	(6,402	)	$	(10,873	)

The prior year’s third quarter and nine months results include a gain from the sale of assets associated with the Company’s former paper mill in China.

The accrual for 2007 Actions totaled $40 as of September 26, 2010 and $45 as of December 31, 2009. Net cash payments during the nine months ended September 26, 2010, were $439.

Earlier Actions

Earlier Actions consist of two formal restructuring plans, the 2006 Plan and the 2003 Plan, both of which included a number of plant closures and workforce reductions. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company completed the sale of the land and buildings associated with a former paper mill in France resulting in the recognition of a $1,204 gain. This gain, which partially offsets asset impairment charges recognized in 2006 when the decision was made to close the facility, is included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 26, 2010, the remaining restructuring accrual for Earlier Actions was $491. The accrual, included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, relates primarily to building lease terminations and unpaid severance and termination benefits. The Company expects to recognize future pre-tax charges of approximately $150 associated with Earlier Actions, primarily related to building lease terminations and costs of exiting two closed facilities in Europe. The Company expects both the liability and the future costs to be fully paid at the end of 2012, using cash generated from operations.

Note 5: Comprehensive Income

The following table reconciles net income to comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net income	$	59,221		$	51,377		$	166,730		$	108,102

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		38,776			47,048			(4,115	)		74,556
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax		9,429			(66	)		17,880			29,187
Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax		(3,243	)		3,336			(4,053	)		6,143

Comprehensive income	$	104,183		$	101,695		$	176,442		$	217,988
Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(202	)		(3,706	)		(186	)		(3,699	)


Comprehensive income attributable to Sonoco	$	103,981		$	97,989		$	176,256		$	214,289

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable, for the nine months ended September 26, 2010:


	Foreign									Accumulated
	Currency			Defined			Derivative			Other
	Translation			Benefit			Financial			Comprehensive
	Adjustments			Plans			Instruments			Loss
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	10,798		$	(316,658	)	$	(4,609	)	$	(310,469	)
Year-to-date change		(4,115	)		17,880			(4,053	)		9,712


Balance at September 26, 2010	$	6,683		$	(298,778	)	$	(8,662	)	$	(300,757	)

At September 26, 2010, the Company had various contracts outstanding to fix the costs of certain anticipated raw materials and energy purchases as well as certain instruments to hedge the interest rate on a planned capital markets transaction. These contracts, which have maturities ranging from October 2010 to December 2012, qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. The amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these cash flow hedges were an unfavorable position of $13,764 ($8,662 after tax) at September 26, 2010, and an unfavorable position of $7,329 ($4,609 after tax) at December 31, 2009.

The cumulative tax benefit on Derivative Financial Instruments was $5,085 at September 26, 2010, and $2,720 at December 31, 2009. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010, the tax benefit on Derivative Financial Instruments increased by $1,869 and $2,365, respectively.

The cumulative tax benefit on Defined Benefit Plans was $175,221 at September 26, 2010, and $186,001 at December 31, 2009. During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010, the tax benefit on Defined Benefit Plans decreased by $(5,812) and $(10,780), respectively.

Noncontrolling interests included current period foreign currency translation adjustments of $786 and $(1,243) in the nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively.

Note 6: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

A summary of the changes in goodwill for the nine months ended September 26, 2010 is as follows:


	Tubes and
	Cores/			Consumer		Packaging
	Paper			Packaging		Services		All Other
	Segment			Segment		Segment		Sonoco			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2009	$	236,875		$	357,798	$	150,082	$	68,775		$	813,530
2010 Acquisitions		¾			25,333		¾		¾			25,333
Other		(216	)		¾		¾		¾			(216	)
Foreign currency translation		(5,589	)		2,224		¾		(119	)		(3,484	)


Goodwill at September 26, 2010	$	231,070		$	385,355	$	150,082	$	68,656		$	835,163

“Other” consists of goodwill associated with a small Chilean tube and core business that was contributed to a new joint venture in 2010. The Company accounts for its 19.5% ownership in the new joint venture under the cost method.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of 2010. Based on the results of this evaluation, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. For 2010 testing purposes, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units were estimated based on projections of future years’ operating results and associated cash flows, together with comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company’s projections incorporated management’s expectations for future growth and, where applicable, improved operating margins. Should such growth and/or margin improvement not materialize as projected, or if the Company’s assessments of the relevant facts and circumstances change, noncash impairment charges may be required. Reporting units with significant goodwill whose results need to show improvement included Tubes & Cores/Paper — Europe, Matrix Packaging, Flexible Packaging, Packaging Services, and Rigid Paper Containers — Australia/New Zealand. Total goodwill associated with these reporting units was approximately $102,000, $128,000, $92,000, $150,000, and $6,000, respectively at September 26, 2010.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives, which generally range from three to twenty years. The Company has no intangibles with indefinite lives.

A summary of other intangible assets as of September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is as follows:


	September 26,			December 31,
	2010			2009

Other Intangible Assets, gross
Patents	$	2,593		$	2,592
Customer lists		179,846			161,007
Land use rights		349			340
Supply agreements		1,000			1,000
Other		16,438			7,830

Other Intangible Assets, gross	$	200,226		$	172,769

Accumulated Amortization	$	(66,899	)	$	(57,725	)

Other Intangible Assets, net	$	133,327		$	115,044

The Company recorded $28,629 of identifiable intangibles in connection with 2010 acquisitions. Of this total, $19,882 related to customer lists and $8,747 related to other intangible assets, primarily proprietary technology, as well as trademarks and a non-compete agreement. The customer lists will be amortized over a period of twelve to fifteen years while the other intangible assets will be amortized over lives ranging from three to ten years.

Aggregate amortization expense was $3,761 and $3,313 for the three months ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively, and $9,747 and $9,377 for the nine months ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively. Amortization expense on other intangible assets is expected to approximate $13,700 in 2010, $14,000 in 2011, $13,600 in 2012, $13,300 in 2013 and $12,900 in 2014.

Note 7: Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities, excluding retirement and postretirement plan assets, measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company does not currently have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Quoted Market

Prices in Active

Significant

Market for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

September 26,

Assets/Liabilities

Inputs

Description

2010

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Derivatives

2,453

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets

2,082

Liabilities:

Derivatives

16,124

Fair value measurements for the Company’s derivatives, which at September 26, 2010, consisted primarily of natural gas, aluminum, and foreign currency contracts entered into for hedging purposes, are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are determined using published market prices or estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, spot and future commodity prices and spot and future exchange rates.

Certain deferred compensation plan liabilities are funded and the assets invested in various exchange traded mutual funds. These assets are measured using quoted prices in accessible active markets for identical assets.

Excluding retirement and postretirement plan assets, none of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities are measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs. There were no significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010.

Note 8: Financial Instruments and Derivatives

The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s significant financial instruments for which the carrying amount differs from the fair value:


	September 26, 2010				December 31, 2009
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value

Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	$	112,372	$	112,864	$	118,053	$	121,318
Long-term debt	$	513,592	$	582,143	$	462,743	$	473,573

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt and long-term variable-rate debt approximates fair value. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices or is determined by discounting future cash flows using interest rates available to the Company for issues with similar terms and average maturities.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company records its derivatives as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value using published market prices or estimated values based on current price quotes and a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair market value of derivatives. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized either in net income or in other comprehensive income, depending on the designated purpose of the derivative. It is the Company’s policy not to speculate in derivative instruments. The Company has determined all hedges to be highly effective and as a result no material ineffectiveness has been recorded.

The Company uses derivatives to mitigate the effect of fluctuations in some of its raw material and energy costs, foreign currency fluctuations and interest rate movements. The Company purchases commodities such as

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

recovered paper, metal and energy generally at market or at fixed prices that are established with the vendor as part of the purchase process for quantities expected to be consumed in the ordinary course of business. The Company may enter into forward contracts or other similar derivative contracts in order to reduce the effect of commodity price fluctuations, and to manage its exposure to foreign currency cash flows, assets, and liabilities. The Company is exposed to interest-rate fluctuations as a result of using debt as a source of financing for its operations. The Company may from time to time use traditional, unleveraged interest rate swaps to adjust its mix of fixed and variable rate debt to manage its exposure to interest rate movements.

Cash Flow Hedges

At September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had derivative financial instruments outstanding to hedge anticipated transactions and certain asset and liability related cash flows. To the extent considered effective, the changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to income or expense in the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings.

Commodity Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has entered into certain derivative contracts to manage the cost of anticipated purchases of natural gas and aluminum. At September 26, 2010, natural gas swaps covering approximately 6.9 million MMBtus were outstanding. These contracts represent approximately 72%, 70% and 50% of anticipated U.S. and Canadian usage for the remainder of 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, the Company had swap contracts covering 1.6 thousand metric tons of aluminum representing approximately 33%, 6% and 2% of anticipated usage for the remainder of 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s commodity cash flow hedges were in loss positions of $15,209 and $8,294 at September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The amount of the loss included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” at September 26, 2010, that is expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $10,533.

Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has entered into forward contracts to hedge certain anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases forecasted to occur in 2010. At September 26, 2010, the net position of these contracts was to purchase 12.1 million Canadian dollars, 47.4 million Mexican pesos, 60.2 million euros, and 0.7 million British pounds, and to sell 1.3 million Australian dollars and 0.8 million New Zealand dollars. The fair value of these foreign currency cash flow hedges was $607 at September 26, 2010, and $721 at December 31, 2009. The amount of the gain included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” at September 26, 2010 expected to be reclassified to the income statement during the next twelve months is $570.

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge

During the quarter ended September 26, 2010 the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument with a notional amount of $100 million to lock the treasuries-related component of the interest rate for a portion of a contemplated capital markets debt transaction. The instrument has a term through November 3, 2010, and had a fair value of $519 at the end of the quarter.

Fair Value Hedges

During 2009, the Company entered into an interest rate derivative to swap $150,000 notional value of its 6.5% debentures due November 2013 to a floating rate. On September 21, 2010 the swap was settled prior to maturity. The Company received a cash payment for this settlement of approximately $5,900. The unamortized value of the gain, $5,600, was included with the related bond at September 26, 2010. At December 31, 2009, a decrease in carrying value of the bond of $(572) was recorded in conjunction with this swap. This gain will be amortized over the life of the debentures and netted against interest costs.

Other Derivatives

The Company routinely enters into forward contracts or swaps to economically hedge the currency exposure of intercompany debt and existing foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. The Company does not apply hedge accounting treatment for these instruments. As such, changes in fair value are recorded directly to income and expense in the periods that they occur. At September 26, 2010, the net positions of these contracts were to purchase 13.0 million Canadian dollars, 1.9 million euros, 0.9 million British pounds, 10.1 billion

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Colombian pesos, and to sell 0.3 million Australian dollars. The total fair value of these hedges, all of which were short-term, was $412 at September 26, 2010, and $795 at December 31, 2009.

The following table sets forth the location and fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments at September 26, 2010:


Description	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity Contracts	Other Current Assets	$	478
Commodity Contracts	Other Long Term Assets	$	89
Commodity Contracts	Other Current Liabilities	$	11,348
Commodity Contracts	Other Long Term Liabilities	$	4,428
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Other Current Assets	$	865
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Other Current Liabilities	$	258
Interest Rate Hedge Contract	Other Current Assets	$	519
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Other Current Assets	$	502
Foreign Exchange Contracts	Other Current Liabilities	$	90

The following table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the three months ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009:


				Location of Gain
	Amount of Gain or			or (Loss)	Amount of Gain or			Location of Gain or	Amount of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized			Reclassified from	(Loss) Reclassified			(Loss) Recognized in	(Loss) Recognized
	in OCI on			Accumulated OCI	from Accumulated			Income on	in Income on
	Derivative			Into Income	OCI Into Income			Derivative	Derivative
Description	(Effective Portion)			(Effective Portion)	(Effective Portion)			(Ineffective Portion)	(Ineffective Portion)
Three months ended September 26, 2010

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:

Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	(43	)	Net sales	$	1,229		Selling, general and administrative	$	320
				Cost of sales	$	(641	)

Commodity Contracts	$	(7,106	)	Cost of sales	$	(2,103	)	Cost of sales	$	776

Interest Rate Swap	$	519		Interest expense	$	—		Interest expense	$	—

Fair value hedge derivatives:

Interest Rate Swap								Interest expense	$	(121	)

Three months ended September 27, 2009

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:

Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	1,509		Net sales	$	3,430		Net sales	$	¾

				Cost of sales	$	(2,516	)	Cost of sales	$	¾
Commodity Contracts	$	(670	)	Cost of sales	$	(5,443	)	Cost of sales	$	17

Fair value hedge derivatives:

Interest Rate Swap								Interest expense	$	(11	)

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)


	Location of Gain or
Derivatives not	(Loss) Recognized
designated as hedging	in Income	Gain or (Loss)
instruments:	Statement	Recognized
Three months ended September 26, 2010

Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(12	)
	Selling, general and administrative	$	21

Three months ended September 27, 2009

Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	125
	Selling, general and administrative	$	397

The following table sets forth the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on financial performance for the nine months ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009:


				Location of Gain
	Amount of Gain or			or (Loss)	Amount of Gain or			Location of Gain or	Amount of Gain or
	(Loss) Recognized			Reclassified from	(Loss) Reclassified			(Loss) Recognized in	(Loss) Recognized
	in OCI on			Accumulated OCI	from Accumulated			Income on	in Income on
	Derivative			Into Income	OCI Into Income			Derivative	Derivative
Description	(Effective Portion)			(Effective Portion)	(Effective Portion)			(Ineffective Portion)	(Ineffective Portion)
Nine months ended September 26, 2010

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	1,293		Net sales	$	2,831		Selling, general and administrative	$	36
				Cost of sales	$	(1,327	)

Commodity Contracts	$	(13,828	)	Cost of sales	$	(7,109	)	Cost of sales	$	(323	)

Interest Rate Swap	$	519		Interest expense	$	—		Interest expense	$	—

Fair value hedge derivatives:

Interest Rate Swap								Interest expense	$	78

Nine months ended September 27, 2009

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:
Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	3,058		Net sales	$	3,784		Net sales	$	¾

				Cost of sales	$	(2,896	)	Cost of sales	$	¾
Commodity Contracts	$	(12,620	)	Cost of sales	$	(20,325	)	Cost of sales	$	470

Fair value hedge derivatives:

Interest Rate Swap								Interest expense	$	(11	)


	Location of Gain or
Derivatives not	(Loss) Recognized
designated as hedging	in Income	Gain or (Loss)
instruments:	Statement	Recognized
Nine months ended September 26, 2010

Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	(20	)

	Selling, general and administrative	$	(51	)

Nine months ended September 27, 2009

Foreign Exchange Contracts	Cost of sales	$	725
	Selling, general and administrative	$	698

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 9: Employee Benefit Plans

Retirement Plans and Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans

The Company provides non-contributory defined benefit pension plans for a majority of its employees in the United States and certain of its employees in Mexico and Belgium. The Company also sponsors contributory pension plans covering the majority of its employees in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Netherlands, as well as postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits to the majority of its retirees and their eligible dependents in the United States and Canada. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company froze participation for newly hired salaried and non-union hourly U.S. employees in its traditional defined benefit plan. The Company adopted a defined contribution plan, the Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP), covering its non-union U.S. employees hired on or after January 1, 2004.

On February 4, 2009, the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was amended to freeze plan benefits for all active participants effective December 31, 2018. At that time, remaining active participants in the U.S. qualified plan will become participants in the SIRP effective January 1, 2019. Active participants in the U.S. qualified plan had a one-time option to transfer into the SIRP effective January 1, 2010. Approximately one third of the active participants chose that option. The plan amendment also affected participants covered by the pension restoration plan (a nonqualified plan) as the benefit formulas for the restoration plan are linked to the qualified plan. The plan amendment resulted in the assets and liabilities of the U.S. qualified and nonqualified plans being remeasured as of February 4, 2009.

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) include the following:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Retirement Plans
Service cost	$	3,763		$	4,860		$	14,467		$	16,193
Interest cost		17,569			18,798			52,716			54,160
Expected return on plan assets		(19,202	)		(14,838	)		(57,659	)		(43,888	)
Amortization of net transition obligation		110			104			326			292
Amortization of prior service cost		43			205			102			719
Amortization of net actuarial loss		9,306			10,704			26,317			30,550
Effect of curtailment loss		¾			661			¾			3,005
Effect of settlement loss		¾			¾			¾			838

Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,589		$	20,494		$	36,269		$	61,869


Retiree Health and Life Insurance Plans
Service cost	$	255		$	349		$	840		$	1,036
Interest cost		382			1,014			1,568			3,008
Expected return on plan assets		(338	)		(287	)		(1,021	)		(852	)
Amortization of prior service credit		(2,451	)		(2,782	)		(7,503	)		(8,252	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss/(gain)		(68	)		831			1,097			2,466

Net periodic benefit income	$	(2,220	)	$	(875	)	$	(5,019	)	$	(2,594	)

As a result of the 2009 amendment to the U.S. defined benefit pension plans described above, the Company recognized curtailment losses totaling $3,005 in 2009. Approximately 75% of the losses are included in “Cost of sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; the remainder are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses.” The closure of a paper mill in Canada in 2008 resulted in the recognition of a settlement loss of $838 in the second quarter of 2009. This charge is included in “Restructuring/Asset impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

During the nine months ended September 26, 2010, the Company made contributions of $13,522 to its defined benefit retirement and retiree health and life insurance plans. The Company anticipates that it will make additional contributions of approximately $5,350 in 2010. Funding of the Company’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan is not required in 2010 due to the $100,000 voluntary contribution made in December 2009 and the Company’s ability to utilize funding credits arising from previously funding the plan in excess of minimum requirements. Although not required, the Company may make further voluntary contributions to the plan before the end of 2010. No assurances can be made, however, about funding requirements beyond 2010, as they will depend largely on actual investment returns and future actuarial assumptions.

Sonoco Investment and Retirement Plan (SIRP)

The Company recognized SIRP expense totaling $2,148 and $930 for the quarters ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively, and $6,902 and $4,500 for the nine month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009, respectively. Contributions to the SIRP, annually funded in the first quarter, totaled $4,822 during the nine months ended September 26, 2010. No additional SIRP contributions are expected during the remainder of 2010.

Sonoco Savings Plan

The Company sponsors the Sonoco Savings Plan, a defined contribution retirement plan, for its U.S. employees. The plan provides for participant contributions of 1% to 30% of gross pay. The plan provides 100% Company matching on the first 3% of pre-tax contributions, 50% Company matching on the next 2% of pre-tax contributions and 100% immediate vesting. The Company’s matching contribution to the Sonoco Savings Plan was temporarily suspended effective June 1, 2009. A modified matching contribution was subsequently reinstated by the Company effective January 1, 2010. Under the modified matching arrangement, the Company will match 50% on the first 4% of a participant’s pre-tax contributions.

Note 10: Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 26, 2010 was 27.6% and 29.6%, respectively, and its effective tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 27, 2009 was 25.1% and 29.0%, respectively. The quarterly and year-to-date rates for both years varied from the U.S. statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes, the favorable effects of international operations that are subject to tax rates generally lower than the U.S. rate, the favorable effect of the U.S. federal manufacturer’s deduction, and the decrease in our reserve for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of statutes of limitations. These favorable benefits were partially offset by the unfavorable effects of state taxes and other U.S. tax adjustments.

The Company and/or its subsidiaries file federal, state and local income tax returns in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination by tax authorities for years before 2007. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to examination prior to 2005 with respect to U.S. state and local and non-U.S. income taxes.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions since December 31, 2009. The Company’s estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. Management believes that any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to these matters have been adequately provided for. However, future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. Additionally, the jurisdictions in which earnings or deductions are realized may differ from current estimates. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Note 11: New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No.168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification^TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.” This statement established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This statement became effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, and as of the effective date, all existing accounting standard documents were superseded. Accordingly, in all of its subsequent public filings the Company will reference the Codification as the sole source of authoritative literature.

Effective July 1, 2009, changes to the Codification are communicated through an Accounting Standards Update (ASU). As of October 25, 2010, the FASB has issued ASUs 2010-01 through 2010-25. The Company has reviewed each ASU and determined that none will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Note 12: Financial Segment Information

Sonoco reports its results in three segments, Consumer Packaging, Tubes and Cores/Paper and Packaging Services. The remaining operations are reported as All Other Sonoco.

The Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and plastic); printed flexible packaging; metal and peelable membrane ends and closures; and global brand artwork management.

The Tubes and Cores/Paper segment includes the following products: high-performance paper and composite paperboard tubes and cores; fiber-based construction tubes and forms; recycled paperboard, linerboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper and other recycled materials.

The Packaging Services segment provides the following products and services: designing, manufacturing, assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semipermanent and permanent point-of-purchase displays; and supply chain management services, including contract packing, fulfillment and scalable service centers.

All Other Sonoco represents the Company’s businesses that do not meet the aggregation criteria for inclusion as a separate reportable segment under U.S. GAAP. All Other Sonoco includes the following products: wooden, metal and composite wire and cable reels and spools; molded and extruded plastics; custom-designed protective packaging; and paper amenities such as coasters and glass covers.

The following table sets forth net sales, intersegment sales and operating profit for the Company’s three reportable segments and All Other Sonoco. Operating profit at the segment level is defined as “Income before interest and income taxes” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, adjusted for restructuring/asset impairment charges, which are not allocated to the reporting segments.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

FINANCIAL SEGMENT INFORMATION


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 26,			September 27,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net Sales:
Consumer Packaging	$	436,556		$	398,800		$	1,210,673		$	1,129,892
Tubes and Cores/Paper		412,279			346,360			1,197,793			958,091
Packaging Services		112,373			113,317			338,045			301,295
All Other Sonoco		90,517			72,083			250,463			206,142

Consolidated	$	1,051,725		$	930,560		$	2,996,974		$	2,595,420


Intersegment Sales:
Consumer Packaging	$	709		$	369		$	1,836		$	1,467
Tubes and Cores/Paper		23,024			20,306			67,841			56,999
Packaging Services		315			239			831			910
All Other Sonoco		12,159			10,405			33,338			27,810

Consolidated	$	36,207		$	31,319		$	103,846		$	87,186


Income Before Income Taxes:
Operating Profit
Consumer Packaging	$	44,779		$	42,645		$	132,571		$	121,166
Tubes and Cores/Paper		37,849			21,448			96,272			48,433
Packaging Services		1,907			5,433			10,554			6,994
All Other Sonoco		12,516			5,445			30,161			17,987
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		(12,166	)		(158	)		(18,624	)		(17,754	)
Interest, net		(8,444	)		(9,401	)		(25,439	)		(29,103	)

Consolidated	$	76,441		$	65,412		$	225,495		$	147,723

Prior year results have been adjusted for the reclassification between segments of a small global brand artwork management business that was previously included in the Packaging Services segment. The impact of this reclassification on the three and nine months ended September 27, 2009, was to transfer $3,894 and $10,282 of net sales and $596 and $814 of operating profit, respectively, from the Packaging Services segment to the Consumer Packaging segment.

Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its business and is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company is also currently a defendant in a class action by persons who bought Company stock between February 7, 2007 and September 18, 2007. The complaint, as amended, alleges that the Company issued press releases and made public statements during the class period that were materially false and misleading. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages plus interest and attorneys’ fees. As is the case with other companies in similar industries, the Company faces exposure from actual or potential claims and legal proceedings. Some of these exposures have the potential to be material. Information with respect to these and other exposures appears in Part II — Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 — “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company cannot currently estimate the final outcome of many of the items described or the ultimate amount of potential losses.

Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, accruals for estimated losses are recorded at the time information becomes available indicating that losses are probable and that the amounts are reasonably estimable. Amounts so accrued are not discounted. While the ultimate liabilities relating to claims and proceedings may be significant to profitability in the period recognized, it is management’s opinion that such liabilities, when finally determined, will not have an adverse material effect on Sonoco’s consolidated financial position or liquidity.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Environmental Matters

During the fourth quarter of 2005, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified U.S. Paper Mills Corp. (U.S. Mills), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, that U.S. Mills and NCR Corporation (NCR), an unrelated party, would be jointly held responsible to undertake a program to remove and dispose of certain PCB-contaminated sediments at a particular site on the lower Fox River in Wisconsin (the “Site”). U.S. Mills and NCR reached an agreement between themselves that each would fund 50% of the costs of remediation. The Company has expensed a total of $17,650 for its estimated share of the total cleanup cost of the Site, and through September 26, 2010, has spent a total of $14,467. The Company currently estimates that its share of future related costs may amount to between $1,900 and $4,900. However, the actual costs associated with cleanup of the Site are dependent upon many factors and it is possible that remediation costs could be higher than the current estimate of project costs. The Company acquired U.S. Mills in 2001, and the alleged contamination predates the acquisition.

The EPA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) have also issued a general notice of potential liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and a request to participate in remedial action implementation negotiations relating to a stretch of the lower Fox River, including the bay at Green Bay, (Operating Units 2 – 5) to eight potentially responsible parties, including U.S. Mills. Operating Units 2 – 5 include, but also comprise a vastly larger area than, the Site. A detailed description of the claims and proceedings associated therewith appears in Part II — Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 — “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On October 14, 2010, the EPA and WDNR filed suit against NCR, API, U.S. Mills and nine other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (No. 10-CV-00910-WCG) pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA. The plaintiffs seek to recover unreimbursed costs incurred for activities undertaken in response to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances from facilities at or near the Lower Fox River and Green Bay as well as damages for injury to, loss of, and destruction of natural resources resulting from such releases. The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that the defendants are liable for future response costs of the plaintiffs and requiring the defendants to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action discussed in prior filings. The Company does not believe that the remedies sought in the suit materially expand the Company’s potential liability beyond what has been disclosed in this report or in the Company’s prior filings. U.S. Mills plans to defend the suit vigorously.

Since 2007, U.S. Mills has expensed a total of $60,825 for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts expensed for remediation at the Site) and through September 26, 2010, has spent a total of $5,083, primarily on legal fees. Although the Company lacks a reasonable basis for identifying any amount within the range of possible loss as a better estimate than any other amount, as has previously been disclosed, the upper end of the range may exceed the net worth of U.S. Mills. However, because the discharges of hazardous materials into the environment occurred before the Company acquired U.S. Mills, and U.S. Mills has been operated as a separate subsidiary of the Company, the Company does not believe that it bears financial responsibility for these legacy environmental liabilities of U.S. Mills. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the maximum additional exposure to its consolidated financial position is limited to the equity position of U.S. Mills, which was approximately $84,000 at September 26, 2010.

The Company has been named as a potentially responsible party at several other environmentally contaminated sites. All of the sites are also the responsibility of other parties. The potential remediation liabilities are shared with such other parties, and, in most cases, the Company’s share, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at the current time.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

As of September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company (and its subsidiaries) had accrued $58,925 and $63,800, respectively, related to environmental contingencies. Of these, a total of $58,925 and $60,414 relate to U.S. Mills at September 26, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. These accruals are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. U.S. Mills recognized a $40,825 benefit in 2008 from settlements reached and proceeds received on certain insurance policies covering the Fox River contamination. U.S. Mills’ two remaining insurance carriers are in liquidation. It is possible that U.S. Mills may recover from these carriers a small portion of the costs it ultimately incurs. U.S. Mills may also be able to reallocate some of the costs it incurs among other parties. There can be no assurance that such claims for recovery or reallocation would be successful and no amounts have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for such potential recovery or reallocation.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Directors of Sonoco Products Company:

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sonoco Products Company as of September 26, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the nine-month periods ended September 26, 2010 and September 27, 2009. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 26, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
October 25, 2010

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Statements included in this report that are not historical in nature, are intended to be, and are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “consider,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “objective,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “future,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding offsetting high raw material costs; improved productivity and cost containment; adequacy of income tax provisions; refinancing of debt; adequacy of cash flows; anticipated amounts and uses of cash flows; effects of acquisitions and dispositions; adequacy of provisions for environmental liabilities; financial strategies and the results expected from them; continued payments of dividends; stock repurchases; producing improvements in earnings, financial results for future periods, and creation of long-term value for shareholders. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such information includes, without limitation, discussions as to guidance and other estimates, expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies and objectives concerning our future financial and operating performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation:

	•		Availability and pricing of raw materials;

	•		Success of new product development and introduction;

	•		Ability to maintain or increase productivity levels and contain or reduce costs;

	•		International, national and local economic and market conditions;

	•		Availability of credit to us, our customers and/or our suppliers in needed amounts and/or on reasonable terms;

	•		Fluctuations in obligations and earnings of pension and postretirement benefit plans;

	•		Pricing pressures, demand for products, and ability to maintain market share;

	•		Continued strength of our paperboard-based tubes and cores and composite can operations;

	•		Anticipated results of restructuring activities;

	•		Resolution of income tax contingencies;

	•		Ability to successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into the Company’s operations;

	•		Ability to win new business, retain existing business, and/or identify and successfully close suitable acquisitions at the levels needed to meet growth targets;

	•		Rate of growth in foreign markets;

	•		Foreign currency, interest rate and commodity price risk and the effectiveness of related hedges;

	•		Actions of government agencies and changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company;

	•		Liability for and anticipated costs of environmental remediation actions;

	•		Ability to improve operating results in reporting units facing potential goodwill impairment;

	•		Loss of consumer or investor confidence; and

	•		Economic disruptions resulting from terrorist activities.

The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Sonoco is a leading manufacturer of industrial and consumer packaging products and provider of packaging services, with more than 300 locations in 35 countries.

Sonoco competes in multiple product categories with the majority of its operations organized and reported in three segments: Consumer Packaging, Tubes and Cores/Paper, and Packaging Services. Various other operations are reported as “All Other Sonoco.” The majority of the Company’s revenues are from products and services sold to consumer and industrial products companies for use in the packaging of their products for sale or shipment. The Company also manufactures paperboard, primarily from recycled materials, for both internal use and open market sale. Each of the Company’s operating units has its own sales staff and maintains direct sales relationships with its customers.

Third Quarter 2010 Compared with Third Quarter 2009

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the periods presented. These non-GAAP financial measures (referred to as “base”) are the GAAP measures adjusted to exclude restructuring charges, asset impairment charges, environmental charges and certain other items, if any, the exclusion of which the Company believes improves comparability and analysis of the underlying financial performance of the business.


	For the three months ended September 26, 2010
				Restructuring/
				Asset			Acquisition
*Dollars in millions, except per share data*	GAAP			Impairment			Costs		Base

Income before interest and income taxes	$	84.9		$	12.2		$	1.5	$	98.6
Interest expense, net		8.5								8.5

Income before income taxes		76.4			12.2			1.5		90.1
Provision for income taxes		21.1			5.2			0.4		26.7

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		55.3			7.0			1.1		63.4
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		3.9			(0.2	)				3.7

Net income		59.2			6.8			1.1		67.1
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(0.2	)		0.1					(0.1	)

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	59.0		$	6.9		$	1.1	$	67.0


Per common share	$	0.57		$	0.07		$	0.01	$	0.65


	For the three months ended September 27, 2009
				Restructuring/
				Asset
*Dollars in millions, except per share data*	GAAP			Impairment		Base

Income before interest and income taxes	$	74.8		$	0.2	$	75.0
Interest expense, net		9.4					9.4

Income before income taxes		65.4			0.2		65.6
Provision for income taxes		16.4					16.4

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		49.0			0.2		49.2
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		2.4					2.4

Net income		51.4			0.2		51.6
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3.7	)		3.0		(0.7	)

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	47.7		$	3.2	$	50.9


Per common share	$	0.47		$	0.03	$	0.50

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended September 26, 2010 versus the three months ended September 27, 2009.

OVERVIEW

Net sales for the third quarter were $1,052 million, compared with $931 million in the same period in 2009. This 13% sales increase was due to improved volumes, primarily in industrial markets, higher selling prices and sales of corrugating medium previously produced under a cost-plus agreement. These favorable factors were partially offset by an unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange. Significantly higher market prices for old corrugated containers (OCC) resulted in higher selling prices in our recovered paper, paperboard and tubes and cores businesses. Gross profit margins for the third quarter increased to 19.0% compared to last year’s 18.6%. Margins were favorably impacted by higher volume, as well as productivity initiatives and decreased pension expenses. Net income attributable to Sonoco for the third quarter of 2010 was $59.0 million compared to $47.7 million reported for the same period of 2009. 2010 earnings include $6.9 million of after-tax asset impairment and restructuring charges, along with $1.1 million of after-tax acquisition related expenses. 2009 results included after-tax restructuring charges of $3.2 million. Third quarter 2010 base earnings were $67.0 million ($.65 per diluted share) versus $50.9 million ($.50 per diluted share) in 2009.

Much of the quarter’s year-over-year improvement came from the Company’s Industrial-focused businesses which continued to rebound strongly from last year’s recession-impacted results. Operating profits in the Tube and Core/Paper segment experienced a 76 percent improvement and the industrial-related businesses within All Other Sonoco reported a more than 100 percent year-over-year improvement. A majority of the Company’s industrial-focused businesses experienced strong volume and benefited from solid productivity improvements. The Consumer Packaging segment recorded year-over-year gains in operating profits due primarily to productivity improvements and the acquisition of Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc. (APT). However, results declined in the Packaging Services segment due to lost business in point-of-purchase displays and fulfillment, which were only partially offset by productivity improvements.

OPERATING REVENUE

Net sales for the third quarter of 2010 were $1,052 million, compared to $931 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $121 million.

The components of the sales change were:


($ in millions)

Selling Prices	$	39
Acquisitions (net of divestitures)		36
Volume/Mix		34
Foreign Currency Translation		(6	)
Corrugating Medium/Other		18

Total Sales Increase	$	121

Volume/mix accounted for a 4% increase in sales from 2009 levels as most of the Company’s reporting segments experienced volume improvements across most geographic regions, with the greatest volume increases occurring in businesses serving industrial markets, which tend to be more economically sensitive and were most severely impacted during the recession. The vast majority of the increase attributable to selling prices was due to the pass through of higher OCC costs. The acquisition of APT at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010 also contributed to the sales increase. The impact of the strength of the dollar against most other currencies, relative to last year’s third quarter levels, resulted in a slight reduction in reported sales. The Company’s corrugating medium was previously produced under a cost plus arrangement, which expired at December 31, 2009. Under this arrangement, the Company only recorded a net production fee. Beginning in 2010, corrugating medium is being sold on the open market, resulting in an increase in both reported sales and cost of sales.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Cost of sales in the third quarter of 2010 was higher year over year primarily due to the increases in volume discussed above. Significantly higher prices, including OCC, paid for recovered paper increased costs in our converted paper operations, while higher resin costs negatively impacted results in the plastics operations. Pension and postretirement expenses showed a $9.0 million improvement in the third quarter, most of which is reflected in cost of sales. The current year improvement is due to the partial recovery in the value of pension plan assets during 2009, and the impact of the $100 million voluntary contribution made to the U.S. qualified pension plan in December 2009. The combination of productivity initiatives, volume-driven manufacturing efficiencies and lower pension costs more than offset the material cost increases, resulting in an improvement in the gross profit percentage from 18.6% to 19.0%.

Selling, general and administrative costs were higher in the third quarter of 2010 due primarily to the impact of the APT acquisition made at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010 and its related acquisition costs.

Restructuring and asset impairment charges totaled $12.2 million and $0.2 million for the third quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The current year quarter includes asset impairment charges taken in the Company’s Flexible Packaging business unit after it was advised by one of its customers that its current contract to provide certain packaging would not be renewed in its entirety. According to the customer, the business loss will be phased out over the next two years. The expected loss of business will not impact current year sales. Additional information regarding restructuring actions and impairments is provided in Note 4 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net interest expense for the third quarter of 2010 decreased to $8.5 million, compared with $9.4 million during the same period in 2009. The decrease was due to lower interest rates.

This year’s third quarter effective tax rate was 27.6% up from the 25.1% rate reflected in the 2009 third quarter; the effective tax rate on base earnings increased from 25.1% in the third quarter of 2009 to 29.6% in 2010. Each year’s third quarter effective rate is lower than its respective year-to-date rate reflecting the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to expirations of statutes of limitation. The third quarter 2009 effective tax rate benefited to a greater degree from the mix of U.S. and foreign income and the federal manufacturing deduction than did the third quarter 2010 rate.

The Company has operations in Venezuela that, beginning January 1, 2010, are accounted for as hyperinflationary. These operations have annual sales of approximately $8 million and net assets of approximately $2 million. Accounting for these operations as hyperinflationary did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements during the quarter or the nine-month period ended September 26, 2010.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The following table recaps net sales for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 ($ in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	September 26, 2010		September 27, 2009		% Change
Net sales:
Consumer Packaging	$	436,556	$	398,800		9.5	%
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		412,279		346,360		19.0	%
Packaging Services		112,373		113,317		(0.8	)%
All Other Sonoco		90,517		72,083		25.6	%

Consolidated	$	1,051,725	$	930,560		13.0	%

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Consolidated operating profits, also referred to as “Income before income taxes” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, are comprised of the following ($ in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	September 26, 2010			September 27, 2009			% Change
Income before income taxes:
Segment operating profit
Consumer Packaging	$	44,779		$	42,645			5.0	%
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		37,849			21,448			76.5	%
Packaging Services		1,907			5,433			(64.9	)%
All Other Sonoco		12,516			5,445			129.9	%
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		(12,166	)		(158	)		(7,600	)%
Interest, net		(8,444	)		(9,401	)		10.2	%

Consolidated	$	76,441		$	65,412			16.9	%

Segment results are used by Company management to evaluate segment performance and do not include restructuring/asset impairments charges or net interest charges. Accordingly, the term “segment operating profit” is defined as the segment’s portion of “Income before income taxes” excluding those items. All other general corporate expenses have been allocated as operating costs to each of the Company’s reportable segments and All Other Sonoco.

The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 ($ in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	September 26, 2010			September 27, 2009
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
Consumer Packaging	$	12,677		$	831
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		(891	)		(1,746	)
Packaging Services		148			376
All Other Sonoco		197			50
Corporate		35			647

Total	$	12,166		$	158

Consumer Packaging

Sonoco’s Consumer Packaging segment includes the following products and services: round and shaped rigid containers and trays (both composite and plastic); printed flexible packaging; metal and peelable membrane ends and closures; and brand artwork management.

Third quarter 2010 sales for the segment were $437 million, compared with $399 million in the same period in 2009. This 9 percent increase during the third quarter was due primarily to the previously mentioned acquisition of APT.

Segment operating profit was $44.8 million in the third quarter, compared with $42.6 million in the same period in 2009, an increase of 5%. The segment benefited from the APT acquisition, lower pension costs, higher selling prices and productivity improvements. These improvements were partially offset by higher labor, freight and other costs.

Tubes and Cores/Paper

Third quarter 2010 sales for the segment were $412 million, compared with $346 million in the same period in 2009. The 19 percent increase in segment sales was due largely to increased selling prices, volume improvement in global industrial converted products and paperboard and the addition of sales of corrugating medium, partially offset by the

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

negative impact of foreign currency translation. The year-over-year increase in selling prices was primarily a result of higher selling prices for OCC, which had a favorable impact on sales of recovered paper, paperboard and tubes and cores.

Operating profit for this segment was $37.8 million, compared with $21.4 million in 2009. This 76 percent improvement during the quarter was due to global volume growth, lower pension costs and productivity improvements.

Packaging Services

The Packaging Services segment includes the following products and services: designing, manufacturing, assembling, packing and distributing temporary, semipermanent and permanent point-of-purchase displays; and supply chain management services, including contract packing, fulfillment and scalable service centers.

Third quarter 2010 sales for this segment were $112 million, compared with $113 million in the same period in 2009, as higher volume was offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation and lower sales prices. Management expects business in this segment to continue at current levels for the balance of the year, reflecting the events discussed in “Other Items” below.

Segment operating profit was $1.9 million, compared with $5.4 million in 2009. This operating profit decline was a result of lower selling prices and a negative mix of business, only partially offset by productivity improvements.

All Other Sonoco

All Other Sonoco includes businesses that are not aggregated in a reportable segment and includes the following products: wooden, metal and composite wire and cable reels and spools, molded and extruded plastics, custom-designed protective packaging and paper amenities such as coasters and glass covers.

Third quarter 2010 sales in All Other Sonoco were $91 million, compared with $72 million reported in the same period in 2009, a 26 percent increase. This improvement was due to volume gains in molded plastics, protective packaging and reels and spools, along with acquisition sales and higher selling prices.

Operating profit for the quarter was $12.5 million, compared with $5.4 million in 2009, an improvement of 130% as a result of strong volume and productivity gains in all businesses. These favorable factors were partially offset by higher raw material costs, which were not covered by higher selling prices.

Nine Months Ended September 26, 2010 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 27, 2009

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following tables reconcile the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for each of the periods presented.


	For the nine months ended September 26, 2010
				Restructuring/
				Asset		Acquisition
*Dollars in millions, except per share data*	GAAP			Impairment		Costs		Base

Income before interest and income taxes	$	250.9		$	18.6	$	1.5	$	271.0
Interest expense, net		25.4							25.4

Income before income taxes		225.5			18.6		1.5		245.6
Provision for income taxes		66.9			7.8		0.4		75.1

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		158.6			10.8		1.1		170.5
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		8.1			0.1				8.2

Net income		166.7			10.9		1.1		178.7
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(0.2	)		0.1				(0.1	)

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	166.5		$	11.0	$	1.1	$	178.6


Per common share	$	1.63		$	0.11	$	0.01	$	1.75

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY


	For the nine months ended September 27, 2009
				Restructuring/
				Asset
*Dollars in millions, except per share data*	GAAP			Impairment		Base

Income before interest and income taxes	$	176.8		$	17.8	$	194.6
Interest expense, net		29.1					29.1

Income before income taxes		147.7			17.8		165.5
Provision for income taxes		42.9			5.4		48.3

Income before equity in earnings of affiliates		104.8			12.4		117.2
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax		3.3			0.4		3.7

Net income		108.1			12.8		120.9
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3.7	)		3.8		0.1

Net income attributable to Sonoco	$	104.4		$	16.6	$	121.0


Per common share	$	1.03		$	0.17	$	1.20

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides a review of results for the nine months ended September 26, 2010 versus the nine months ended September 27, 2009.

OVERVIEW

Net sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $2,997 million, compared with $2,595 million in the same period in 2009. The 15% increase was due to improved companywide volumes, higher selling prices, sales of corrugating medium previously produced under a cost-plus agreement, acquisition sales and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange. Higher market prices for OCC resulted in higher selling prices in our recovered paper, paperboard and tubes and cores businesses. Gross profit margins for the first nine months of 2010 increased to 18.9% compared to last year’s 18.2%. Margins were favorably impacted by higher volume, as well as productivity initiatives and decreased pension expenses, partially offset by an unfavorable price/cost relationship, principally due to the sharp rise in OCC prices during the first quarter of 2010. Net income attributable to Sonoco for the first nine months of 2010 was $166.5 million compared to $104.4 million reported for the same period of 2009. Current year earnings include $11.0 million after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges, along with $1.1 million after-tax of acquisition related costs. 2009 results were impacted by after-tax restructuring charges of $16.6 million. Year-to-date 2010 base earnings were $178.6 million ($1.75 per diluted share) versus $121.0 million ($1.20 per diluted share) in 2009.

Sales volume was up throughout the Company compared to 2009’s first nine months, but most notably in those businesses serving industrial markets. During the first quarter of 2010, OCC prices rose rapidly, but due to contract limitations for much of its business, the Company was unable to reset sales prices to reflect these higher costs until the beginning of the second quarter. As OCC prices have stabilized during the last six months at a rate lower than that in the first quarter, the Company has not been able to offset the shortfall from the first quarter. Similarly, but to a much lower extent, the Company has been unable to recover the negative impact of higher resin costs, resulting in an overall unfavorable price/cost relationship for the Company. These negative impacts to earnings were more than offset by volume growth, lower year-over-year pension costs, and strong productivity.

OPERATING REVENUE

Net sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $2,997 million, compared to $2,595 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $402 million.

The components of the sales change were:


($ in millions)

Volume/Mix	$	182
Selling Prices		99
Foreign Currency Translation		43
Acquisitions (net of dispositions)		35
Corrugating Medium/Other		43

Total Sales Increase	$	402

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Volume/mix accounted for a 7% increase in sales from 2009 levels as each of the Company’s reporting segments experienced volume improvements across most geographic regions, with the greatest volume increases occurring in businesses serving industrial markets. Compared to the first nine months of 2009, the Tubes and Cores/Paper segment realized significantly higher selling prices, primarily as a result of the increase in OCC prices discussed above. The impact of a weaker dollar also contributed to the Company’s overall sales increase.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Cost of sales in the first nine months of 2010 was higher year over year primarily due to the increases in volume and higher OCC prices discussed above. Significantly higher prices paid for recovered paper increased costs in our converted paper operations, while higher resin costs negatively impacted results in the plastics operations. Pension and postretirement expenses showed a $24.8 million improvement in the first nine months of 2010, most of which is reflected in cost of sales. The current year improvement is due to a partial recovery in the value of pension plan assets during 2009 and the impact of the $100 million voluntary contribution made to the U.S. qualified pension plan in December 2009. The combination of productivity initiatives, volume-driven manufacturing efficiencies and lower pension costs more than offset the material cost increases, resulting in an improvement in the gross profit percentage from 18.2% to 18.9%.

Selling, general and administrative costs were higher in the first nine months of 2010 due primarily to higher incentive compensation expenses, reflecting an improved performance against incentive targets compared to last year and the impact of the APT acquisition made at the beginning of the third quarter of 2010.

Restructuring and asset impairment charges totaled $18.6 million and $17.8 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. Additional information regarding restructuring actions and impairments is provided in Note 4 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net interest expense for the first nine months of 2010 decreased to $25.4 million, compared with $29.1 million during the same period in 2009. The decrease was due to lower debt levels and lower interest rates.

This year’s first nine months effective tax rate was 29.6%, compared to the 29.0% rate recorded in the same period of 2009. The effective tax rate on base earnings increased to 30.6% in the first nine months of 2010 from 29.2% in the same period last year.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The following table recaps net sales for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 ($ in thousands):


	Nine Months Ended
	September 26, 2010		September 27, 2009		% Change
Net sales:
Consumer Packaging	$	1,210,673	$	1,129,892		7.1	%
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		1,197,793		958,091		25.0	%
Packaging Services		338,045		301,295		12.2	%
All Other Sonoco		250,463		206,142		21.5	%

Consolidated	$	2,996,974	$	2,595,420		15.5	%

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Consolidated operating profits, also referred to as “Income before income taxes” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, are comprised of the following ($ in thousands):


	Nine Months Ended
	September 26, 2010			September 27, 2009			% Change
Income before income taxes:
Segment operating profit
Consumer Packaging	$	132,571		$	121,166			9.4	%
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		96,272			48,433			98.8	%
Packaging Services		10,554			6,994			50.9	%
All Other Sonoco		30,161			17,987			67.7	%
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges		(18,624	)		(17,754	)		(4.9	)%
Interest, net		(25,439	)		(29,103	)		12.6	%

Consolidated	$	225,495		$	147,723			52.7	%

The following table recaps restructuring/asset impairment charges attributable to each of the Company’s segments during the first nine months of 2010 and 2009 ($ in thousands):


	Nine Months Ended
	September 26, 2010		September 27, 2009
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges:
Consumer Packaging	$	14,437	$	2,083
Tubes and Cores/ Paper		1,102		12,531
Packaging Services		1,663		1,064
All Other Sonoco		1,115		1,312
Corporate		307		764

Total	$	18,624	$	17,754

Consumer Packaging

Segment sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $1,211 million, compared with $1,130 million in the same period in 2009, a 7% increase. Volume increases totaled 1.9%, with most of the improvements coming in rigid plastic containers, metal ends and flexible packaging. The balance of the sales gain was due to the impact of the APT acquisition and favorable foreign currency translation.

Segment operating profit was $132.6 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared with $121.2 million in the same period in 2009, an increase of 9.4%. Productivity improvements and volume growth were only partially offset by higher raw material, labor, freight and other costs.

Tubes and Cores/Paper

Year-to-date sales through September 2010 were $1,198 million, compared with $958 million in the same period last year. The 25% increase in segment sales was due largely to increased selling prices, an improvement in volume throughout the segment, the addition of corrugating medium sales which increased year-over-year revenue by $48 million, and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. The principal reason behind the increased selling prices was higher OCC prices, which, in turn, had a favorable impact on prices received for recovered paper, paperboard and tubes and cores.

Operating profit for this segment was $96.3 million, compared with $48.4 million in 2009. Operating profit for the segment improved significantly during the first nine months of 2010 due to global volume growth and productivity improvements, partially offset by an unfavorable price/cost relationship and higher costs for labor, freight and other costs.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Packaging Services

Segment sales for the first nine months of 2010 were $338 million, compared with $301 million in the same period last year. The 12% improvement in sales was due primarily to improved volume and to a lesser extent, favorable foreign currency translation. These favorable factors were partially offset by slightly lower selling prices.

Segment operating profit was $10.6 million, compared with $7.0 million in 2009. This increase was a result of volume improvements and productivity, partially offset by lower selling prices and an unfavorable change in the mix of business.

All Other Sonoco

Year-to-date sales through September 2010 in All Other Sonoco were $250 million, compared with $206 million reported in the same period in 2009. This 22% increase was due to volume gains in molded plastics, protective packaging, and reels and spools, along with sales from acquisitions made earlier in 2010.

Operating profit for the quarter was $30.2 million, compared with $18.0 million in 2009. Operating profit increased as a result of volume and productivity gains in nearly all businesses. These favorable factors were partially offset by rising resin, paper and wood costs.

OTHER ITEMS

The Company completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of 2010. Based on the results of its evaluation, the Company concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. For testing purposes, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units were estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on projections of future years’ operating results and associated cash flows, together with comparable trading and transaction multiples. The Company’s model discounts future cash flows, forecasted over a ten-year period, with an estimated residual growth rate. The Company’s projections incorporated management’s best estimates of the expected future results, which include expectations related to new business, and, where applicable, improved operating margins. Future cash flows were discounted to present value using a discount rate commensurate with the risks inherent in the cash flows. Should forecasted growth and/or margin improvement not materialize, or if the Company’s assessments of the relevant facts and circumstances change, noncash impairment charges may be required in the future, depending on the reporting unit. In management’s opinion, should actual results fall short of projections, the reporting units with significant goodwill having the greatest risk of future impairment include Tubes & Cores/Paper — Europe, Matrix Packaging, Flexible Packaging, Packaging Services, and Rigid Paper Containers — Australia/New Zealand. Total goodwill associated with these reporting units was approximately $102 million, $128 million, $92 million, $150 million, and $6 million, respectively at September 26, 2010.

Matrix Packaging manufactures blow-molded plastic containers primarily for use in nonfood applications. Matrix Packaging was acquired in May 2007 to be a growth platform for the Company and to expand the Company’s operations into the health and beauty market. Since that time, the Company has continued to invest significantly in the business and projections for this reporting unit reflect management’s expectations for revenue growth as well as improvements in operating margins. Sales growth is expected to be driven by new business from key nonfood customers and expansion into more food-based applications. Should the sales growth and margin improvements not materialize, goodwill impairment charges may be incurred. In the annual evaluation of goodwill impairment, the estimated fair value of Matrix Packaging exceeded its carrying value by approximately 20%.

Tubes and Cores/Paper- Europe manufactures tubes and cores, using internally produced recycled paperboard, for sale to a variety of industrial industries throughout Europe. Any paperboard not used internally is sold to third parties. While this unit was hard-hit by the global recession, volume has rebounded to within approximately 5% of pre-recession levels. Margins, however, remain below those levels as selling prices have not kept pace with cost increases. Management believes that sales will return to pre-recession levels over the next one to two years with growth coming from Western Europe as well as certain eastern European countries, such as Russia, Estonia and Poland. Margins are also expected to slowly increase from current levels on a recovery in the price/cost relationship and productivity improvements. In the annual evaluation of goodwill impairment, the estimated fair value of Tubes and Cores/Paper — Europe exceeded its carrying value by approximately 40%.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

As previously reported, the Company’s Packaging Services segment lost approximately $45 million of annualized sales volume resulting from bidding activity conducted by a major customer in the fourth quarter of 2009. The loss of this business began in the second quarter of 2010 and has now been essentially transitioned. Further, another of the segment’s customers notified the Company in late 2009 of its decision to consolidate its business with another vendor. While this decision will not impact the current year, and the timing of this transition is still uncertain, it is expected to result in an annual sales reduction of approximately $35 million by 2012. Although only relatively modest revenue growth would be required to avoid potential impairment, based on its evaluation of future projects and other opportunities, management expects new business over the next two to three years to fully offset these lost sales. Should sales growth not materialize, goodwill impairment charges may be incurred. In the annual evaluation of goodwill impairment, the estimated fair value of Packaging Services, which is its own reporting unit for goodwill testing purposes, exceeded its carrying value by approximately 29%.

The Company has been advised by one of its Flexible Packaging customers that its current contract to provide certain packaging will not be renewed in its entirety. According to the customer, the business will be phased out over the next two years. The transition is not expected to impact current year sales or base earnings. As a result, in the third quarter of 2010 the Company recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of approximately $12.6 million on certain long-lived assets within the affected operations. The expected loss of business was reflected in the Company’s evaluation of goodwill. Although no impairment of goodwill was deemed necessary, management’s projections reflect the expectation that these lost sales will be replaced by new business in approximately the same time frame over which they are lost, and that operating margins will benefit from improved manufacturing productivity and overhead cost management. Should the sales growth not materialize, and/or the operating margins not benefit to the extent expected, goodwill impairment charges may be incurred. In its evaluation of goodwill impairment, management estimated that the fair value of the Flexible Packaging unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 27%.

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s financial position remained strong during the first nine months of 2010. Cash flows from operations totaled $260.6 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared with $357.8 million in the same period last year. Although year-over-year earnings were higher, the benefit to operating cash flow was offset by an increase in net working capital driven by higher levels of business activity. In addition, prior year cash flows benefited from the collection of prepaid tax balances generated by the sharp economic downturn in late 2008, while in the current year estimated tax payments have exceeded the currently estimated tax provision due to recent tax law changes and the jurisdictional mix of earnings. Operating cash flows are expected to remain strong during the remainder of 2010.

During the first nine months of 2010, the Company utilized cash from operations and additional borrowings to fund capital expenditures of $101.2 million, pay dividends of $83.4 million, and fund acquisitions totaling $134.3 million. The Company’s outstanding debt increased by $45.2 million, including the effects of the interest rate swap, to $626.0 million at September 26, 2010. Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $185.2 million at December 31, 2009, to $168.7 million at September 26, 2010.

On June 29, 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc. (APT), a supplier of containers to the frozen food industry, for a cash purchase price of approximately $120 million. During the first nine months of 2010 the Company made two other smaller acquisitions at a combined cash purchase price of $14.3 million. All of these acquisitions were made using cash on hand and existing available credit.

The Company anticipates capital spending for the fourth quarter and full year of 2010 to be approximately $50 million and $150 million, respectively. The Company expects to be able to fund this investing activity using some combination of cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and financing with existing available credit.

At September 26, 2010, $43.0 million was outstanding under the Company’s $500 million commercial paper program. The commercial paper program was fully supported by a bank credit facility provided by a syndicate of banks that was committed until May 2011. On October 18, 2010, this facility was replaced by a new $350 million five-year agreement with a syndicate of eight banks.

Certain of the Company’s debt agreements, including its new credit facility, impose restrictions with respect to the maintenance of financial ratios and the disposition of assets. The most restrictive covenant required the Company to

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

maintain a minimum level of net worth, as defined. As of September 26, 2010, the Company’s defined net worth was approximately $507 million above the minimum level required under this covenant.

The Company’s $100 million, 6.75% debentures become due in November 2010. The Company expects to be able to satisfy these obligations using some combination of cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and refinancing with existing available credit.

Funding of the Company’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan is not required in 2010 due to the $100 million voluntary contribution made in December 2009 and the Company’s ability to utilize funding credits from having previously funded the plan in excess of minimum requirements. Although not required, the Company may make further voluntary contributions to the plan before the end of 2010. Contributions to the Company’s other pension and postretirement plans are expected to total approximately $24 million during 2010. Funding of the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan is not expected to be required until 2012; however, future funding requirements will depend largely on actual investment returns and future actuarial assumptions.

Certain assets and liabilities are reported in the Company’s financial statements at fair value, the fluctuation of which can impact the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Items reported by the Company on a recurring basis at fair value include derivative contracts and deferred compensation related assets. The valuation of the vast majority of these items is based either on quoted prices in active and accessible markets or on other observable inputs.

At September 26, 2010, the Company had commodity contracts outstanding to fix the cost of a portion of anticipated raw materials and natural gas purchases. The total net fair market value of these instruments was an unfavorable position of $15.2 million at September 26, 2010, and an unfavorable position of $8.3 million at December 31, 2009. Natural gas and aluminum contracts covering an equivalent of 6.9 million MMBtus and 1,600 metric tons, respectively, were outstanding at September 26, 2010. Additionally, the Company had various currency contracts outstanding to fix the exchange rate on certain anticipated foreign currency cash flows. The total market value of these instruments was a net favorable position of $0.6 million at September 26, 2010 compared with a net favorable position of $0.7 million at December 31, 2009. On September 21, 2010 the Company received $5.9 million, plus accrued interest settlement, for the early termination of an interest rate derivative under which the Company had swapped $150 million notional value of its 6.5% debentures due November 2013 to a floating rate. The swap had an unfavorable position of $0.6 million at December 31, 2009. During the quarter ended September 26, 2010 the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument with a notional amount of $100 million as a cash flow hedge to lock the treasuries-related component of the interest rate for a portion of a contemplated capital markets debt transaction. The instrument has a term through November 3, 2010, and had a fair value of $0.5 million at the end of the quarter.

In addition, at September 26, 2010, the Company had various other currency contracts outstanding to fix the exchange rate on certain foreign currency assets and liabilities for which it has chosen not to apply hedge accounting. The fair value of these currency contracts, all of which mature within twelve months, was a net favorable position of $0.4 million at the end of the quarter and $0.8 million at December 31, 2009.

Restructuring and Impairment

Information regarding restructuring charges and restructuring-related asset impairment charges is provided in Note 4 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding new accounting pronouncements is provided in Note 11 to the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Information about the Company’s exposure to market risk is discussed under Part I, Item 2 in this report and was disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2010. There have been no other material quantitative or qualitative changes in market risk exposure since the date of that filing.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision, and with the participation, of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

The Company is continuously seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations and of its internal controls. This results in refinements to processes throughout the Company. However, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information with respect to legal proceedings and other exposures appears in Part I — Item 3 — “Legal Proceedings” and Part II — Item 8 — “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Note 14 — “Commitments and Contingencies”) in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and in Part I — Item 1 — “Financial Statements” (Note 13 — “Commitments and Contingencies”) of this report.

In April 2006, the United States and the State of Wisconsin (plaintiffs) sued U.S. Paper Mills Corp. (U.S. Mills), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and NCR Corporation (NCR), an unrelated company, to recover certain costs incurred for response activities undertaken regarding the release and threatened release of hazardous substances in specific areas of elevated concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay in northeastern Wisconsin (hereinafter the Site). Pursuant to a Consent Decree agreed to by NCR and U.S. Mills as a consequence of the litigation, the Site is to be cleaned up on an expedited basis and NCR and U.S. Mills started removing contaminated sediment in May 2007. The remediation involves removal of sediment from the riverbed, dewatering of the sediment and storage at an offsite landfill. U.S. Mills and NCR reached an agreement between themselves that each would fund 50% of the costs of remediation, which the Company currently estimates may be between $32.7 million and $38.7 million for the project as a whole. The actual costs associated with cleanup of this particular site are dependent upon many factors and it is possible that remediation costs could be higher or lower than the current estimate of project costs. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties reserved their rights to make claims against each other, as well as third parties, to reallocate the costs of remediating the Site. Accordingly, the Company’s ultimate share of the liability for remediating the Site could be greater or less than 50% of the total cost.

In addition to the Site discussed above, as previously disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, U.S. Mills faces additional exposure related to potential natural resource damage and environmental remediation costs for a larger stretch of the lower Fox River, including the bay at Green Bay, which includes the Site discussed above (Operating Units 2 – 5). On November 13, 2007, the EPA issued a unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action pursuant to Section 106 of CERCLA. The order requires U.S. Mills and the seven other respondents jointly to take various actions to cleanup OUs 2 – 5. The order covers planning and design

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

work as well as dredging and disposing of contaminated sediments and the capping of dredged and less contaminated areas of the river bottom. The order also provides for a penalty for failure by a respondent to comply with its terms as well as exposing a non-complying respondent to potential treble damages. Although U.S. Mills has reserved its rights to contest liability for any portion of the work, it is cooperating with the other respondents to comply with the order, but its financial contribution will likely be determined by the lawsuit commenced in June 2008 and discussed below.

On June 12, 2008, NCR and Appleton Papers, Inc. (API), as plaintiffs, commenced suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (No. 08-CV-0016-WCG) against U.S. Mills, as one of a number of defendants, seeking a declaratory judgment allocating among all the parties the costs and damages associated with the pollution and clean up of the Lower Fox River. The suit also seeks damages from the defendants for amounts already spent by the plaintiffs, including natural resource damages, and future amounts to be spent by all parties with regard to the pollution and cleanup of the Lower Fox River. On December 16, 2009, the court issued an order which concluded that, under the equities of the case, NCR and API were not entitled to any contributions from U.S. Mills and other defendants, thereby granting the defendant’s motions for summary judgment and denying the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment. Although an order has been issued by the court, no appealable final judgment has been entered yet; nevertheless, NCR has reported that it intends to appeal the ruling, presumably after entry of the final judgment. U.S. Mills plans to defend the suit vigorously.

On October 14, 2010, the United States and the State of Wisconsin filed suit against NCR, API, U.S. Mills and nine other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (No. 10-CV-00910-WCG) pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of CERCLA. The plaintiffs seek to recover unreimbursed costs incurred for activities undertaken in response to the release and threatened release of hazardous substances from facilities at or near the Lower Fox River and Green Bay as well as damages for injury to, loss of, and destruction of natural resources resulting from such releases. The plaintiffs also seek a ruling that the defendants are liable for future response costs of the plaintiffs and requiring the defendants to comply with the unilateral Administrative Order for Remedial Action discussed above. The Company does not believe that the remedies sought in the suit materially expand the Company’s potential liability beyond what has been previously disclosed in this report or in the Company’s prior filings. U.S. Mills plans to defend the suit vigorously.

As of September 26, 2010, U.S. Mills had reserves totaling $55.7 million for potential liabilities associated with the Fox River contamination (not including amounts accrued for remediation at the Site). Although the Company lacks a reasonable basis for identifying any amount within the range of possible loss as a better estimate than any other amount, as has previously been disclosed, the upper end of the range may exceed the net worth of U.S. Mills. However, because the discharges of hazardous materials into the environment occurred before the Company acquired U.S. Mills, and U.S. Mills has been operated as a separate subsidiary of the Company, the Company does not believe that it bears financial responsibility for these legacy environmental liabilities of U.S. Mills. Therefore, the Company continues to believe that the maximum additional exposure to its consolidated financial position is limited to the equity position of U.S. Mills, which was approximately $84 million at September 26, 2010.

On July 7, 2008, the Company was served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court for South Carolina by the City of Ann Arbor Employees’ Retirement System, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated. The suit is a class action on behalf of those who purchased the Company’s common stock between February 7, 2007 and September 18, 2007, except officers and directors of the Company. The complaint, as amended, alleges that the Company issued press releases and made public statements during the class period that were materially false and misleading. The complaint also names certain Company officers as defendants and seeks an unspecified amount of damages plus interest and attorneys’ fees. The Company believes that the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the suit.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


					(c) Total Number of		(d) Maximum
					Shares Purchased as		Number of Shares
					Part of Publicly		that May Yet be
	(a) Total Number of		(b) Average Price		Announced Plans or		Purchased under the
Period	Shares Purchased¹		Paid per Share		Programs²		Plans or Programs²
6/28/10 – 8/01/10		522	$	33.26		—		5,000,000
8/02/10 – 8/29/10		304	$	32.78		—		5,000,000
8/30/10 – 9/26/10		771	$	33.42		—		5,000,000
Total		1,597	$	33.25		—		5,000,000


¹		All of the share purchases in the third quarter of 2010 relate to shares withheld to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations in association with the exercise of performance-based stock awards, deferred compensation and restricted stock. These shares were not repurchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program.

²		On April 19, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This authorization rescinded all previous existing authorizations and does not have a specific expiration date. No shares have been repurchased under this authorization during 2010. At September 26, 2010, a total of 5,000,000 shares remain available for repurchase.

Item 6. Exhibits.


15.		Letter re: unaudited interim financial information

31.		Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(a)

32.		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(b)

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document*

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


*		Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


		SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
		(Registrant)

Date: October 25, 2010		By: /s/ Charles J. Hupfer Charles J. Hupfer
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial officer)

		By: /s/ Barry L. Saunders Barry L. Saunders
		Vice President and Corporate Controller
		(principal accounting officer)

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number		Description
15.		Letter re: unaudited interim financial information

31.		Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(a)

32.		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 17 C.F.R. 240.13a-14(b)

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document*

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


*		Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents