Sonoco supports Confederate Flag removal
The firm has been based in the state for more than 115 years.
Nikki Haley, governor of South Carolina, said the flag should be removed and was joined by companies including tyre-maker Michelin and airplane-manufacturer Boeing.
The calls were renewed after nine black people were shot dead at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina earlier this month.
Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old suspected gunman, is in custody. The attack is thought to be racially motivated and Roof has been pictured with the flag, which divides public opinion.
Sonoco’s consistent position
Sonoco said its success in the area is due to the hard work of people from all walks of life, in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
“As a global company, we are made up of individuals of all different races, religions and genders. We regularly refer to ourselves as “One Sonoco,” and we mean it,” said the firm.
“With that as our foundation, we have been consistent in our position the Confederate flag should not fly on the statehouse grounds. We don’t support any symbol that divides or demeans any of our employees, or any human beings.
“Part of our mission is, “Always do the right thing,” and it is clear to us that flying a flag that causes so much distress and symbolizes to many people an environment of discrimination and oppression, is not “the right thing.”
Sonoco said it whole-heartedly supports the Governor’s action, and strongly encourages a conversation by legislature to reexamine the relevance of giving the Confederate flag a place of prominence on the grounds of the Statehouse.
“We hope they have the empathy, vision and wisdom to conclude that while history and heritage certainly have a place, symbols of discrimination and injustice do not,” it said.
“We urge them to remove this symbol so that all who come to South Carolina will feel welcome and can experience the openness and compassion that we have all witnessed in Charleston these last several days.”
Sonoco-Alcore price increase
Meanwhile, Sonoco-Alcore has announced it will raise prices by €50 per metric ton on all recycled paperboard grades sold throughout mainland Europe with shipments on or after 20 July.
"This price increase is in response to rising material and manufacturing costs," said Phil Woolley, director, Paper Europe, noting the price change excludes Italy, where it did a similar price change from 15 June.
Sonoco Alcore is wholly-owned by Sonoco and operates 29 tubes and cores plants and five paperboard mills in Europe.
