Graphic Packaging Announces Reduction in Force and Carton Facility Closure

MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Graphic Packaging International,
Inc. (GPI), a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), today
announced plans to institute a reduction in force and close its La Porte, Ind.
carton facility.

“These very difficult decisions were studied significantly, but ultimately are
necessary in light of the ongoing economic impacts being felt by our customers
and consumers. These changes will help to ensure our continued success in the
paperboard packaging space,” said David Scheible, president and chief executive
officer. “GPI continually evaluates all of our business operations and redeploys
business to maximize the cost-effectiveness of our manufacturing footprint as a
whole. This constant evaluation ensures we are serving our markets as
efficiently as possible.”

The overall reduction will affect approximately 200-220 employees. The company
anticipates one-time costs of $6 million to $8 million in the fourth quarter of
2011 and the first quarter of 2012 with annual savings of $20 million to $25
million.

The company will transition business from the La Porte plant to a number of
different existing operations in the U.S. The La Porte carton plant will
continue to operate and support customers while its business is transitioned to
several other plants over the next few weeks. Customers have been notified of
the operating change by the Company and have been assured that the closure will
have little to no impact on current or future orders.

In addition to closing the La Porte facility, the company is consolidating
certain corporate and business unit functions to more efficiently utilize sales,
product development and administrative resources across all business groups.

The Company will notify affected employees this week and will provide
appropriate assistance to those affected.

Forward-looking Statements

Any statements of the Company’s expectations in this press release constitute
“forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, which include statements regarding the
reduction in force, production shutdown, facility closure, transition of
business to other locations and costs and annual savings are based on currently
available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s present
expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
Company’s ability to implement its business strategies, including productivity
initiatives and cost reduction plans. Undue reliance should not be placed on
such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on
which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such
statements. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained
in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Graphic Packaging International, Inc.

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding
Company (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, is a leading provider
of paperboard packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food,
beverage and other consumer products companies. The company is one of the
largest producers of folding cartons and holds a leading market position in
coated-recycled boxboard and specialty bag packaging. The company’s customers
include some of the most widely recognized companies in the world. Additional
information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available
on the company’s web site at www.graphicpkg.com.

SOURCE Graphic Packaging International, Inc.