Bemis Company Announces Management Changes: Theisen Named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Sall Named Senior Vice President of International Operations.

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE:BMS) announced that effective at today's Board of Director's meeting, Henry J. Theisen has been elected to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Theisen previously served as Vice President of Operations for Bemis Company.

The Board of Directors also announced today that Thomas L. Sall was elected to the position of Senior Vice President of International Operations. Sall previously served as Vice President of Operations for Bemis Company.

"The combined leadership of Henry Theisen and Tom Sall has been an important part of the success of our Flexible Packaging business over the past decade of growth," said Jeff Curler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bemis. "Henry has been a strong leader in the growth of our high barrier product lines for many years. His solid business skills and technical knowledge will be a great advantage to Bemis as we continue to bring new technologies and products to the variety of markets that we serve across the Bemis Company."

Henry Theisen began his career at Bemis in 1975 and has held leadership positions in operations, research and development, and marketing for Bemis' Flexible Packaging business. He was named President of Bemis' Curwood subsidiary in 1998 and was elected Vice President of Operations and President of Bemis High Barrier Products in 2002. Theisen received his degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

"Tom Sall has extensive business leadership experience in our North American flexible packaging operations," said Curler. "In his new role, he will be instrumental in integrating our growing international operations into the Bemis organization and identifying international growth opportunities."

Thomas Sall joined Bemis in 1979. He has been Vice President of Operations since 1997 and President of Bemis' Flexible Packaging business since 1998. He was President of Bemis' Curwood subsidiary from 1995 to 1998 and President of Bemis' Milprint subsidiary from 1992 to 1995. Sall is a graduate of the University of Iowa.

Bemis Company is a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, manufacturing, and other companies worldwide. Founded in 1858, the Company reported 2002 sales of $2.4 billion. The Company's flexible packaging business has a strong technical base in polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing and converting. The Company's pressure sensitive materials business specializes in adhesive technologies. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bemis employs about 12,000 individuals in 56 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries around the world. More information about the company is available at our website, www.bemis.com.