Alliance to Begin Production in Iowa City Tuesday, May 5

Jobs Still Available at the Scott Six Location

Alliance, a RockTenn company based in Winston-Salem, NC, will begin production in their 192,000 square-foot, contract packing facility on May 5, 2009, at 2651 Independence Road in Iowa City's Scott Six Industrial Park.

Alliance provides promotional and permanent merchandising solutions, including fulfillment and distributions services, primarily to Fortune 100 consumer product companies and retailers.

The Iowa City location is the newest of their 10 manufacturing and fulfillment centers.

“Our Iowa City facility provides a complete supply chain solution, including assembly and prepacking of displays, for our clients,” said Tim Fialko, Alliance Vice President, Operations.    

As the company ramps up production, additional positions will need to be filled.  A February recruiting trip to the Corridor secured enough talent for startup, but Alliance is still hiring.

“We were very impressed with the first round of candidates.  We had a strong pool to start with,” explained Fialko.  “As we begin our next phase of hiring, we will need line leaders, material handlers, maintenance technicians and quality auditors.”

Fialko expects to hire between 65 and 100 total employees.  Those interested in positions can apply online at www.alliancerocktenn.com.

According to Joe Raso, President of the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group, Alliance’s opening speaks to the ongoing business opportunities in our area.

“With so much discouraging news about downsizing and the national recession, it’s refreshing to share in this announcement,” said Raso.  “Our existing primary sector companies, such as Procter & Gamble and their supply chain partners like RockTenn, are working to buck this negative economic trend.”

Raso and Fialko acknowledge that a strong collaboration among multiple partners helped bring Alliance to Iowa City.  “MidAmerican Energy, ICAD Group, the City of Iowa City, Kirkwood Community college, and Russ Gerdin, the property owner all played  critical roles ,” said Raso.

“Our partnerships have helped make this opening very easy.  We are excited to become part of the Iowa City business community,” added Fialko.

About Alliance Rock Tenn

Alliance is a leading in-store marketing solutions provider that develops both promotional and permanent displays and packaging programs supported by innovative marketing services for major consumer packaged goods and services companies and retailers.  RockTenn is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of paperboard, containerboard, consumer and corrugated packaging and merchandising displays, with annual net sales of approximately $3 billion. The Company operates locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Chilé and Argentina. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, RockTenn is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Company’s common stock trades under the symbol RKT.  Alliance can be reached on the web at www.alliancerocktenn.com.