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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-160681

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are not using this preliminary prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to offer to sell these securities or to solicit offers to buy these securities in any place where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated July 20, 2009

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated July 20, 2009)

7,500,000 Shares

Bemis Company, Inc.

Common Stock

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              We are offering 7,500,000 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BMS". On July 17, 2009, the last reported sale price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $26.76 per share.

              Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before buying any shares, you should read carefully the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock under the heading "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

              We have granted to the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional 1,125,000 shares to cover any overallotments. The underwriters can exercise this right at any time within 30 days after this offering.

              Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

              The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment on                        , 2009.

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Joint Book-Running Managers

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Co-Manager

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The date of this prospectus supplement is July     , 2009.

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Prospectus Supplement

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

              This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains the terms of this offering of shares. The second part, the accompanying prospectus dated July 20, 2009, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering.

              This prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement may add to, update or change the information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with information in the accompanying prospectus, this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede that information in the accompanying prospectus.

              It is important for you to read and consider all information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in "Where You Can Find More Information" in the accompanying prospectus.

              No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement, or that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.

              The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or the underwriters or any of them, to subscribe to or purchase any of the shares of common stock, and may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. See "Underwriting."

              In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to "we," "us," "our" and "Company" refer to Bemis Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. If we use a capitalized term in this prospectus supplement and do not define the term in this document, it is defined in the accompanying prospectus.

              Some of the market and industry data and forecasts included in this prospectus supplement are based on independent industry sources. Although we believe that these independent sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of this information, nor have we independently verified the underlying economic assumptions relied upon in preparing any data or forecasts. In addition, statements in this prospectus supplement about the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business of Rio Tinto plc ("Rio Tinto") are made primarily on the basis of information furnished by management of Rio Tinto during negotiations regarding the sale of that business to us.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

              This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain certain estimates, predictions, and other "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Forward-looking statements are generally identified with the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "target," "may," "will," "would," "plan," "project," "should," "continue," or the negative thereof or other similar expressions, or discussion of future goals or aspirations, which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. Such statements are based on information available to management as of the time of such statements and relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance (financial and otherwise), including those of acquired companies, perceived opportunities in the market and statements regarding our mission and vision. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

              Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expected include, but are not limited to, our ability to realize the expected benefits of our proposed acquisition of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business of Rio Tinto, general economic conditions caused by inflation, interest rates, consumer confidence, rates of unemployment and foreign currency exchange rates; investment performance of assets in our pension plans; competitive conditions within our markets, including the acceptance of our new and existing products; customer contract bidding activity; threats or challenges to our patented or proprietary technologies; raw material costs, availability, and terms, particularly for polymer resins and adhesives; price changes for raw materials and our ability to pass these price changes on to our customers or otherwise manage commodity price fluctuation risks; unexpected energy surcharges; broad changes in customer order patterns; our ability to achieve expected cost savings associated with cost management initiatives; the presence of adequate cash available for investment in our business in order to maintain desired debt levels; a failure in our information technology infrastructure or applications; changes in governmental regulation, especially in the areas of environmental, health and safety matters, fiscal incentives, and foreign investment; unexpected outcomes in our current and future administrative and litigation proceedings; unexpected outcomes in our current and future tax proceedings; changes in domestic and international tax laws; costs associated with the pursuit of business combinations (pursuant to FAS No. 141(R)); changes in our labor relations; and the impact of changes in the world political environment including threatened or actual armed conflict. These and other risks, uncertainties, and assumptions identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the "2008 10-K").

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION

              We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We have included the EBITDA financial measure herein because we believe it is used by our investors as a supplemental financial measure to:

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assess financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structures or historical costs basis; and



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compare the operating performance of our assets with the performance of other companies that have different financing and capital structures.

              EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or income from continuing operations, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). The EBITDA measure that we present may not be comparable to EBITDA of other companies, because other companies may not calculate EBITDA in the same manner as we do.

              Management believes that the presentation of EBITDA is useful because it provides a reliable and consistent approach to measuring the Company's performance from year to year and in assessing the Company's performance against other companies. Management believes that such information helps investors compare operating results and corporate performance exclusive of the impact of the Company's capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired.The following table reconciles EBITDA to net income, its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the periods indicated:

Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net income

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

              This summary highlights selected information about us. It may not contain all of the information that may be important to you in deciding whether to invest in the notes. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes, together with the information incorporated by reference, before making an investment decision. Unless otherwise indicated, references to the "LTM Period" refer to the twelve month period ended June 30, 2009.

Our Business

              We believe we are the largest producer of flexible packaging in North and South America as measured by annual sales in 2008, with a focus on utilizing proprietary technologies to design and manufacture differentiated products that offer extended shelf life, product freshness and consumer appeal. More than half of our net sales have been to customers in the packaged food market segments that utilize our flexible packaging for a broad range of products throughout the grocery store, including packaging for bacon, hot dogs, cheese, candy, frozen foods, cereals, snacks, fresh produce, coffee, condiments, pet food, toilet tissue and baked goods. Our flexible packaging business also provides packaging for medical, pharmaceutical, lawn and garden, industrial, display and other end markets. In addition to flexible packaging, we produce pressure sensitive adhesive products that we sell to label converters and customers in graphic and technical markets. We serve a variety of customers, including leading worldwide food and consumer products companies, from 61 manufacturing facilities throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The combination of our modern manufacturing facilities and our emphasis on technological improvements has enabled us to provide innovative products for over 150 years, allowing our customers to distinguish their products in the marketplace and grow their sales.

              For the LTM Period, we generated net sales of $3.6 billion and Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") of $449 million. Over the past five calendar years, our net sales have grown at a compound annual rate of 7.5 percent. Approximately 35 percent of our net sales were outside North America in fiscal 2008.

              On July 5, 2009, we agreed to acquire the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business of Rio Tinto for approximately $1.2 billion (the "Acquisition"; see "Recent Developments" in this Prospectus Supplement Summary). Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Alcan Packaging Food Americas designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of specialty flexible packaging products through 23 manufacturing plants located throughout North America, South America and New Zealand. Alcan Packaging Food Americas generated 2008 net sales of $1.5 billion.

Business Segments

              Our business activities are organized around two major business segments: flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials.

Flexible Packaging (83 percent of 2008 net sales; 88 percent of 2008 net sales pro forma for the Acquisition)

              The Flexible Packaging business segment manufactures a broad range of products which are typically plastic-based and offer varying levels of technical sophistication depending on the specific needs of the application. We have a broad range of capabilities including polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing, and converting. More than half of our flexible packaging sales are derived from multilayer products which provide barrier protection from oxygen, moisture, light and high temperature packaging processes. These barrier properties improve product shelf life and preserve freshness. Our flexible packaging products include blown and cast stretch-film products, carton sealing tapes and application equipment, custom thermoformed plastic packaging, multi-wall paper bags, printed paper roll stock, and bag closing materials.

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              Our flexible packaging products serve a wide range of branded and private label food applications, including processed meat and cheese, liquids, frozen foods, cereals, snacks, fresh produce, coffee, condiments, candy, pet food and baked goods. Our non-food flexible packaging sales are to the medical, health and hygiene, industrial, lawn and garden, and pharmaceutical market segments.

Pressure Sensitive Materials (17 percent of 2008 net sales; 12 percent of 2008 net sales pro forma for the Acquisition)

              The Pressure Sensitive Materials business segment manufactures adhesive coated paper and film substrates which are sold into three main markets:

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Label markets—Rolls of adhesive backed papers, films and metalized film printing substrates for package labeling, bar code labels and laser printing applications



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Graphic markets—Papers and films used principally for indoor and outdoor signage and vehicle graphic applications



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Technical markets—Engineered adhesive papers with specific performance characteristics for different industrial applications in the electronics, automotive, construction, medical and pharmaceutical markets

Industry Overview

              We compete in the global flexible packaging market and believe we are the largest producer of flexible packaging in North and South America as measured by 2008 sales. The majority of our net sales are derived from the North American market, which generated approximately $26 billion in industry sales in 2007 according to the Flexible Packaging Association. Food represents the largest end market served by flexible packaging, accounting for over half of the total North American flexible packaging market in 2007.

              The overall flexible packaging industry remains generally fragmented, with a large number of competitors serving various applications. Competition is largely based on service, innovation, quality and price.

Competitive Strengths

              Leading market positions.    We believe we are the largest producer of flexible packaging in North and South America based on 2008 sales. We serve a broad array of product categories, including packaging for bacon, hot dogs, cheese, candy, frozen foods, cereals, snacks, fresh produce, coffee, condiments, pet food, toilet tissue and baked goods. In addition, we are also one of the largest suppliers of pressure sensitive materials globally. We have built these leadership positions by consistently offering customers a broad range of sophisticated, high-quality products. We intend to continue to provide innovative product solutions and strong quality and service to our customers.

              Focus on strong end markets.    We primarily serve the food market, which accounted for approximately 57 percent of our 2008 net sales, and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition would have accounted for approximately 70 percent of our net sales. Packaged food products tend to exhibit stable demand in recessionary environments, particularly as away-from-home food consumption declines. We have historically seen strong growth in our food packaging sales, as new products and applications have been introduced into the retail consumer market. We have also increased our sales to the medical and pharmaceutical markets, which have been strong growth avenues given aging population trends and the increasing number of applications where we can utilize our multi-layer flexible packaging capabilities.

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              Superior product design and development capabilities.    We use our material science expertise to design and develop innovative packaging films that offer competitive performance attributes that we believe differentiate us from our competitors. We employ a team of research and development professionals who have years of experience working with chemical properties of specialty polymer resins and adhesives. We use polyethylene as well as a broad range of specialty resins and polymer formulations to produce unique packaging films. More than half of our products utilize innovative solutions developed through our modern research and development capabilities in recent years. Our product development capabilities enable us to capitalize on growth opportunities and continue to enhance our relationships with our customers.

              Long-term relationships with a diverse group of established customers.    We serve a broad base of customers throughout the world. Our customer base is comprised of regional and local food companies as well as established, global brand name food and consumer product companies. We have long-standing relationships with our top ten customers. In fiscal 2008, our top 10 customers collectively accounted for approximately 23 percent of our net sales, with no single customer representing more than 6 percent of net sales. More than half of our net sales are conducted under long-term customer contracts which provide for selling price adjustments in response to raw material price fluctuations. These long-term contracts, together with our ability to adjust selling prices in response to raw materials price increases for the remainder of our sales, mitigate our overall exposure to volatility in resin prices.

              Strong, stable free cash flow.    For the LTM period ended June 30, 2009 we generated $433 million of operating cash flow, or 12.2 percent of our net sales, driven by cost controls and working capital management. Our free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, has been driven by our resilient and growing end markets, modest capital expenditure requirements and focus on working capital management. We believe our manufacturing facilities are modern and maintained to very high operating standards. While we regularly invest in the growth of our business, particularly to develop manufacturing platforms for new products, our maintenance capital needs are limited. In 2009, we expect to spend $100 - $110 million in total capital expenditures compared to an average of $161 million for 2005 through 2008. In 2007, we completed a multiyear capital expansion program to enhance our polyester platform and our medical device packaging capacity. Further, our ongoing implementation of our World Class Manufacturing program initiatives has focused on continuous improvements in operating efficiencies and levels of working capital. The stability of our strong cash flows is supported by our ability to consistently adjust selling prices to address increases in raw material costs, either through provisions in our customer contracts or according to typical industry practice.

              Proven management team.    We have an experienced and proven management team at both the executive and operating levels. Our Executive Chairman, CEO and CFO each have spent over 30 years at Bemis, and our overall management team has extensive manufacturing, technical, marketing and management experience. Over the past 10 years under this management team, Company sales with existing and new customers have grown, company-wide productivity has improved and the Company has acquired and integrated 10 businesses.

Our Growth Strategy

Focus on innovative packaging solutions to enhance sales

              Utilizing our modern research and development capabilities, we intend to maintain our focus on the development of innovative packaging solutions to enhance our sales. We expect to continue to create product solutions that address specific customer and market needs. For example, our innovative solutions extend the shelf life of perishable or refrigerated products, protect food safety, and reduce the package weight compared to alternative packaging options, which addresses customer and retailer requirements for sustainability. We develop easy opening features for consumers that maintain the shelf

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life of the product and eliminate the need for scissors or knives for opening. Additionally, we continue to focus on medical and pharmaceutical end markets, which have experienced rapid growth in recent years, and we believe we can employ many of our existing food packaging technologies in these markets. For example, drug-coated medical devices require protection not only for sterility but shelf-life in order to maintain the potency of their drug coating.

              The Acquisition will provide an entrance into several product segments and expand our market reach, including baby food, wet pet food, cookies and crackers, juice pouches and beverage labels.

Improve profitability through realization of acquisition synergies and continued emphasis on operational and manufacturing excellence

              In connection with the Acquisition, we expect to generate $65 million of annualized cost savings. (see "Recent Developments" in this Prospectus Supplement Summary).

              In addition, we intend to improve our profitability through focusing on World Class Manufacturing program initiatives and implementing best practices across our facilities globally. In particular, we will continue to emphasize:

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improving output on our existing equipment;



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reducing waste;



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pursuing purchasing savings; and



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improving safety performance to reduce lost time and health care costs.

              We believe our ongoing focus on World Class Manufacturing program initiatives and best practices has the opportunity to yield significant savings beyond the synergies associated with the Acquisition.

Utilize free cash flow to reduce debt, grow and maximize returns on invested capital

              Over the years we generated significant operating cash flow, which has enabled us to grow our business, maintain our investment grade credit profile and consistently return capital to shareholders through our dividend and opportunistic share repurchases. We expect the Acquisition to expand our product offerings and increase our free cash flow.

Recent Developments

Pending Acquisition of Alcan Packaging Food Americas

              On July 5, 2009, we entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") with Alcan Holdings Switzerland AG ("AHS") and Alcan Corporation ("Alcan" and together with AHS, the "Sellers"). Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the Company agreed to acquire (the "Acquisition") the food packaging business and certain related assets of Sellers located in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand (the "Food Packaging Business" d/b/a "Alcan Packaging Food Americas").

              The Purchase Price for the Acquisition is approximately $1.2 billion payable at closing, subject to certain adjustments at closing (the "Purchase Price"). We estimate approximately $100 million of tax benefits to us related to the structuring of much of the transaction as a purchase of assets. Under the terms of our agreement, we have the option to pay up to $200 million of the Purchase Price in Bemis common stock issued pursuant to an equity commitment agreement. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2009, subject to certain closing conditions as described in the Transaction Agreement.

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Overview of Alcan Packaging Food Americas

              Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Alcan Packaging Food Americas designs, manufactures and sells a broad range of specialty flexible packaging products through 23 manufacturing plants located throughout North America, South America and New Zealand. These manufacturing facilities are very modern and run with a focus on operational excellence. Alcan Packaging Food Americas offers customers a broad product portfolio with more than half of sales to the food market segments, including beverage, confectionary, meat and cheese, and dairy segments. Similar to our portfolio, most of Alcan Packaging Food Americas' products are film-based, utilizing multilayer formulations and barrier technology.

              For calendar year 2008, Alcan Packaging Food Americas recorded revenue of $1.5 billion.

Alcan Packaging Food Americas Acquisition Rationale

              The acquisition of Alcan Packaging Food Americas provides several compelling benefits to us:

              Enhances our focus on food packaging.    On a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the Acquisition, our total net sales for 2008 would have been $5.3 billion, and our flexible packaging net sales for 2008 would have been $4.7 billion. On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Acquisition, food and beverage packaging sales would increase to approximately 70 percent of our 2008 net sales as compared to 57 percent prior to the Acquisition. On a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the Acquisition, we would have had a total of over 20,000 employees and 84 modern manufacturing facilities in 2008. Alcan Packaging Food Americas is highly complementary to us in terms of products, customers and geographies. The increased breadth of our product portfolio will allow us to serve new end markets including baby food, wet pet food, cookies and crackers, juice pouches and beverage labels.

              Presents significant synergy opportunities.    We expect that the Acquisition would result in approximately $65 million in annual pre-tax cost savings to us and that we would achieve this run-rate level by the end of the second year following the Acquisition. Our goal is to realize approximately half of the targeted synergies in the first year following the Acquisition. We expect that the synergies will be primarily realized in procurement, corporate and SG&A efficiencies, and supply chain management.

              Expands our technological expertise.    We believe that the Acquisition will expand our material science expertise to new areas including foil-based flexible packaging, dual ovenable crystallized polyethylene terephthalate, or CPET, trays for microwave and conventional cooking, and oriented polypropylene film labels. The combined technological platforms of Bemis and Alcan Packaging Food Americas will enhance our ability to serve our customers and provide opportunities for sales growth.

              The closing of the Acquisition is subject to various conditions and regulatory approval. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2009. We cannot, however, provide any assurance whether or when the Acquisition will be consummated. Funding for the Acquisition is expected to come from a combination of the proceeds of this offering, the issuance of $800 million aggregate principal amount of notes in July 2009, the issuance of commercial paper, borrowings under new credit facilities (the "Acquisition Credit Facilities"), and available cash.

South American Rigid Packaging Acquisition

              On June 3, 2009, we announced that we acquired the South American rigid packaging operations of Huhtamaki Oyj, a global manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging. This rigid packaging business, which includes three facilities in Brazil and one facility in Argentina, recorded annual net sales of approximately $86 million in 2008, primarily to dairy and food service markets. The purchase price of $43.0 million was paid with a combination of $32.3 million cash on hand, $1.9 million of debt assumed, and a $8.8 million note payable to the seller. As of June 30, 2009, $1.5 million remained outstanding on the note payable which is due May 31, 2010.

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Corporate Information

              Bemis Company, Inc. is a Missouri corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at One Neenah Center, 4^th Floor, Neenah, Wisconsin 54957, and the telephone number is (920) 727-4100. Our common stock is listed under the symbol "BMS" on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Offering

              The summary below describes the principal terms of the shares. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. For a more detailed description of the shares, see the section entitled "Description of Common Stock" in the accompanying prospectus.

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(1)

The number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 99,933,360 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2009 and assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option and no exercise of stock options granted to our employees, of which options to purchase up to 1,210,032 shares of common stock were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $20.09 per share as of June 30, 2009.

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Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data

              The table below presents Bemis Company, Inc. historical financial information as well as pro forma financial information for the Acquisition. See "Unaudited Condensed Combined Financial Statements" for details regarding the pro forma financial information.

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

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Includes Current portion of long-term debt.

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RISK FACTORS

              You should carefully consider the risks described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein before making a decision to invest in the shares. Some of these factors relate principally to our business. Other factors relate principally to the Acquisition and your investment in our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.

              If any of the matters included in the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects could be materially adversely affected. In such case, you may lose all or part of your original investment.

Risks Relating to the Acquisition

Failure to complete the acquisition could negatively impact our stock price and our future business and financial results.

              Consummation of the Acquisition is subject to certain conditions, including, among others:

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the absence of certain legal impediments;



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the receipt of necessary governmental approvals, subject to certain limitations.

              If the acquisition is not completed for any reason, our ongoing business and financial results may be adversely affected and we will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

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we will be required to pay certain costs relating to the Acquisition, whether or not the Acquisition is completed; and



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matters relating to the Acquisition (including integration planning) may require substantial commitments of time and resources by our management, whether or not the Acquisition is completed, which could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us.

              We may also be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the acquisition. If the acquisition is not completed, these risks may materialize and may adversely affect our business, financial results and financial condition, as well as the price of our common stock, which will cause the value of your investment to decline.

              We cannot provide any assurance that the Acquisition will be completed, that there will not be a delay in the completion of the Acquisition or that all or any of the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition will be obtained. In the event the Acquisition is materially delayed for any reason, the price of our common stock may decline. In addition, we will be required to redeem the notes being offered in the debt offering.

We may not realize the expected benefits of the Acquisition because of integration difficulties and other challenges.

              The success of the Acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated synergies, and cost savings from integrating the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business with our existing businesses. The integration process may be complex, costly and time-consuming. The difficulties of integrating the operations of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business include, among others:

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failure to implement our business plan for the combined business;



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unanticipated issues in integrating manufacturing, logistics, information, communications and other systems;

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unanticipated changes in applicable laws and regulations;



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failure to retain key employees;



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operating risks inherent in the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business and our business;



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the impact on our internal controls and compliance with the regulatory requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and



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unanticipated issues, expenses and liabilities.

              We may not accomplish the integration of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business smoothly, successfully or within the anticipated costs or timeframe. The diversion of the attention of management from our current operations to the integration effort and any difficulties encountered in combining operations could prevent us from realizing the full benefits anticipated to result from the Acquisition and could adversely affect our business.

We will incur significant transaction and acquisition-related costs in connection with the Acquisition.

              We will incur significant costs in connection with the Acquisition. The substantial majority of these costs will be non-recurring expenses related to the Acquisition, facilities and systems consolidation costs. These non-recurring costs and expenses are not reflected in the pro forma financial information included in this prospectus. We may incur additional costs to maintain employee morale and to retain key employees. We will also incur substantial transaction fees and costs related to formulating integration plans. Additional costs will be incurred in the integration of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the business, should allow us to more than offset incremental transaction and acquisition-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.

The market price of our common stock may decline as a result of the Acquisition.

              The market price of our common stock may decline as a result of the Acquisition if, among other things, we are unable to achieve the expected growth in earnings, or if the operational cost savings estimates in connection with the integration of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business are not realized, or if the transaction costs related to the Acquisition are greater than expected, or if the financing related to the transaction is on unfavorable terms, or if the value of the cash savings attributable to the amortization of goodwill is less than anticipated. The market price also may decline if we do not achieve the perceived benefits of the acquisition as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts or if the effect of the acquisition on our financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial or industry analysts.

Our substantial debt obligations upon closing of the Acquisition could adversely affect our business and limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business.

              As of March 31, 2009, our long-term debt, after giving effect to the Acquisition on a pro forma basis would have been approximately $1.7 billion. Our substantial debt obligations could have important consequences to our business. For example:

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we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;



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we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow for other purposes, including business development efforts and mergers and acquisitions;

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we are exposed to the risk of increased interest rates because a portion of our borrowings, including under the Acquisition Credit Facilities, is at variable rates of interest;



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our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate may be limited, thereby placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness.

              In addition, the restrictions in the Acquisition Credit Facilities and certain other of our credit agreements may prevent us from taking actions that we believe would be in the best interest of our business and may make it difficult for us to execute our business strategy successfully or effectively compete with companies that are not similarly restricted. For example, certain of our loan agreements require us to maintain a total debt-to-total capital ratio, as defined in those agreements, of not greater than 60%. On a pro forma basis giving effect to the Acquisition, we would have had a total debt-to-total capital ratio, as calculated in accordance with these agreements, of 49% as of March 31, 2009. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" for details regarding our pro forma debt balances.

              We and our subsidiaries may also incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future and the agreements governing such indebtedness might subject us to additional restrictive covenants that could affect our financial and operational flexibility.

Increases in interest rates will increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability.

              As of March 31, 2009, the net fair value liability of our debt instruments with exposure to interest rate risk (debt and interest rate swaps) was approximately $317 million. In addition, the Acquisition Credit Facilities will also bear interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in interest rates will increase the cost of servicing our financial instruments with exposure to interest rate risk and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows. As of March 31, 2009 on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Acquisition, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in a $5.7 million change in the annual cash interest expense before any principal payment on our financial instruments with exposure to interest rate risk. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" for details regarding our pro forma debt balances.

The carve out financial statements of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business incorporated by reference herein are not representative of the future financial position, future results of operations or future cash flows of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business as part of our company nor do they reflect what the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business would have been as a part of our company during the periods presented.

              Prior to the closing of the Acquisition, the acquired business was a fully integrated business unit of Rio Tinto. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business presented may be different from those that would have resulted had the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business been operated as part of our Company or from those that may result in the future from the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business being operated as a part of our Company. This is primarily because:

•

the carve out financial information reflects allocation of expenses from Rio Tinto. Those allocations may be different from the comparable expenses the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business would have incurred as part of our company;



•

the carve out financial information does not reflect a required step up in the basis of the assets of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business as a result of the Acquisition, resulting in increased depreciation expense; and

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•

the working capital requirements of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business historically were satisfied as part of Rio Tinto's corporate-wide cash management policies. In connection with the Acquisition, we expect to incur a material amount of indebtedness and therefore expect to assume significant debt service costs. As a result, we expect the cost of debt and capitalization for the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business as part of our company to be different from that reflected in the carve out financial information of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business.

The unaudited pro forma financial information in this document is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of what our actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Acquisition been completed on the dates indicated.

              The unaudited pro forma financial information reflects adjustments and assumptions, which are based upon preliminary estimates to allocate the purchase price to the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business' net assets rendering these types of adjustments and assumptions difficult to make with complete accuracy. The purchase price allocation reflected in this prospectus supplement is preliminary, and final allocation of the purchase price will be based upon the actual purchase price and the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business as of the date of the completion of the Acquisition. In addition, subsequent to the Acquisition completion date, there may be further refinements of the purchase price allocation as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the final purchase accounting adjustments may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this document. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information" for more information.

The transition services to be provided by Rio Tinto for the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business may be difficult for us to replace without operational problems and additional costs.

              We intend to enter into a transition services agreement with Rio Tinto pursuant to which Rio Tinto will provide us certain transition services for the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business for certain periods of time following the closing date of the Acquisition. These services could include, among others, certain services relating to finance and administration, human resources, payroll and information technology. If, after the expiration of the agreement, we are unable to perform these services for the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business or replace them in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those we receive from Rio Tinto, we may experience operational problems and an increase in its costs. In addition, the costs for such services may be higher than the allocated costs for such services when the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business was operated as part of Rio Tinto.

Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the receipt of consents and approvals from, or the making of filings with, government entities that could delay completion of the Acquisition or impose conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the Company or that could cause abandonment of the Acquisition.

              The Acquisition is subject to review by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Under this statute, the Company and Rio Tinto are required to make pre-merger notification filings and to await the expiration of the statutory waiting period prior to completing the Acquisition. If the federal antitrust authority challenges the Acquisition, we cannot assure you that such a challenge would not be successful. Any such challenge may seek to enjoin the Acquisition, impose conditions on the completion of the Acquisition or require changes to the terms of the Acquisition. Such conditions or changes could have the effect of preventing or delaying completion of the Acquisition or imposing additional costs on us or limiting the revenues of the Company following the Acquisition, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the

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Acquisition is subject to obtaining Mexican Federal Law on Economic Competition Compliance. Under the Acquisition Agreement, Bemis is obligated in good faith to seek to obtain U.S. antitrust and Mexican competition law approval of the Acquisition, and is obligated to give and perform such commitments or undertakings to such antitrust or competition law authorities as are necessary to secure the approvals, but is not required to do so if any such remedy, strategically or financially, could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on Bemis, the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business or the prospects of the combined business. In addition, neither Bemis nor Rio Tinto is obligated to complete the Acquisition if any governmental authority in the United States, Brazil or Mexico issues a legally binding order or obtains an injunction that prohibits the Acquisition as a whole or makes any party to the Acquisition Agreement or its affiliates liable for a criminal offense.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our substantial debt service obligations after the Acquisition.

              We have considerable debt service obligations. We expect to incur substantial additional debt in connection with the Acquisition. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt obligations and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on our ability to generate cash from our future operations. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We may not be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

              If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances, any of which could impede the implementation of our business strategy for us or prevent us from entering into transactions that would otherwise benefit our business. Additionally, we may not be able to effect such actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Risks Relating to our Common Stock

We have not identified any specific use of the net proceeds of this offering in the event the acquisition agreement is terminated.

              Consummation of the Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions and, if the acquisition agreement is terminated for any reason, our board of directors and management will have broad discretion over the use of the proceeds we receive in this offering and might not apply the proceeds in ways that increase the trading price of our common stock. Since the primary purpose of this offering is to provide funds to pay a portion of the Acquisition consideration, we have not identified a specific use for the proceeds in the event the Acquisition does not occur. Any funds received may be used by us for any corporate purpose, which may include pursuit of other business combinations, expansion of our operations, repayment of existing debt, share repurchases or other uses. The failure of our management to use the net proceeds from this offering effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and may have an adverse effect on our earnings per share.

You may not receive dividends on the common stock.

              Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive only such dividends as our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Furthermore, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend rights of any holders of preferred stock we may issue in the future or depositary shares representing such preferred stock then outstanding.

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There may be future sales or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

              We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock in this offering, or other issuances of our common stock or convertible securities, including outstanding options will dilute the ownership interest of our common stockholders.

              Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.

Offerings of debt, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities which may be senior to our common stock for purposes of dividend distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

              We may attempt to increase our capital resources or we could be forced to raise additional capital by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities, including medium-term notes, trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution.

              Our board of directors is authorized to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock from time to time without any action on the part of the stockholders. Our board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights, and preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends or upon our dissolution, winding up and liquidation and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has a preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of our common stock, the rights of holders of our common stock or the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

Shares of our common stock are equity interests and therefore subordinate to our indebtedness and preferred stock.

              Shares of our common stock are equity interests in Bemis Company, Inc. and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of our common stock rank junior to all indebtedness and other non-equity claims on Bemis Company, Inc. with respect to assets available to satisfy claims on Bemis Company, Inc., including in a liquidation. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of any holders of any preferred stock we may issue in the future.

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Risks Relating to the Market

Changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect our cost of financing and the market price of our securities.

              Credit rating agencies rate our debt securities on factors that include our operating results, actions that we take, their view of the general outlook for our industry and their view of the general outlook for the economy. Actions taken by the rating agencies can include maintaining, upgrading, or downgrading the current rating or placing us on a watch list for possible future downgrading. Downgrading the credit rating of our debt securities or placing us on a watch list for possible future downgrading would likely increase our cost of financing, limit our access to the capital markets and have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.

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COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE AND DIVIDENDS

              Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BMS." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NYSE and the dividends declared per share of our common stock.

              The last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on July 17, 2009 was $26.76 per share. As of June 30, 2009, there were 99,933,360 shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 4,000 registered holders.

              The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our businesses, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that the board of directors deems relevant.

USE OF PROCEEDS

              The net proceeds from the sale of our common stock will be used to fund a portion of the cash consideration payable in connection with the Acquisition. This offering is not conditioned on the closing of the Acquisition and there can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be consummated.

              We expect that the total cash consideration payable in connection with the Acquisition will be approximately $1.2 billion. In addition to the net proceeds from this offering, we expect to use proceeds from the issuance of $800 million aggregate principal amount of notes in July 2009, the issuance of commercial paper, borrowings under the Acquisition Credit Facilities, and available cash.

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CAPITALIZATION

              The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2009, and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the shares offered hereby and $800 million aggregate principal amount of notes in July 2009. You should read this table in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds" and our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The as adjusted information may not reflect our cash, debt and capitalization in the future.

Capitalization (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Pending Acquisition of Alcan Packaging Food Americas

              On July 5, 2009 we announced that we signed an agreement to acquire the Food Americas operations of Alcan Packaging, a business unit of international mining group Rio Tinto, for approximately $1.2 billion. For more information regarding this pending acquisition, see the section entitled "Prospectus Supplement Summary—Recent Developments".

South American Rigid Packaging Acquisition

              On June 3, 2009, we announced that we acquired the South American rigid packaging operations of Huhtamaki Oyj, a global manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging. This rigid packaging business, which includes three facilities in Brazil and one facility in Argentina, recorded annual net sales of approximately $86 million in 2008, primarily to dairy and food service markets. The purchase price of $43.0 million was paid with a combination of $32.3 million cash on hand, $1.9 million of debt assumed, and a $8.8 million note payable to the seller. As of June 30, 2009, $1.5 million remained outstanding on the note payable which is due May 31, 2010.

Announcement of Second Quarter Results of Operations

              On July 17, 2009, we announced our results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The following is selected information from that announcement.

Bemis Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Income
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

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Bemis Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(unaudited)

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Bemis Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(unaudited)

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Bemis Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Operating Profit and Pretax Profit
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
(unaudited)

              On July 17, 2009 we reported quarterly diluted earnings of $0.47 per share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared with $0.45 per share for the same quarter of 2008. Results for the 2009 quarter were negatively impacted by a $0.03 per share charge primarily related to acquisition-related costs.

              Net sales were $866.4 million for the second quarter of 2009, an 11.6 percent decrease from $980.0 million for the same period of 2008. Currency effects reduced net sales by 6.7 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. The remaining 4.9 percent decrease in net sales reflects lower unit volume partially offset by a favorable price and mix impact compared to the second quarter of 2008.

Business Segments

Flexible Packaging

              Our flexible packaging business segment, which represented about 85 percent of our total net sales for the second quarter of 2009, had net sales of $733.5 million for the quarter. This represents a 9.9 percent decrease compared to net sales of $813.9 million for the same quarter of 2008. Currency effects reduced net sales by 6.6 percent. The remaining 3.3 percent decrease in net sales was driven principally by lower unit volumes. Segment operating profit for the second quarter of 2009 was $102.1 million, or 13.9 percent of net sales. Segment operating profit for the same quarter of 2008 was $88.9 million, or 10.9 percent of net sales. The net effect of currency translation and foreign exchange gains decreased operating profit in the second quarter of 2009 by $5.0 million compared to the same quarter of 2008. Higher operating profit reflects the impact of both lower raw material costs in 2009 and the benefit of cost improvement programs.

Pressure Sensitive Materials

              Net sales from our pressure sensitive materials business segment for the second quarter of 2009 were $132.9 million, a 20.0 percent decrease from net sales of $166.1 million in the second quarter of 2008. Currency effects reduced net sales by 7.1 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. For the second quarter of 2009, this segment had operating profit of $2.9 million, or 2.2 percent of net sales, compared to segment operating profit of $9.1 million, or 5.5 percent of net sales, for the second quarter of 2008. Lower volume in each of the product lines in this business segment substantially reduced net sales and operating profit for the second quarter of 2009.

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Other Costs (Income), Net

              For the second quarter of 2009, other costs and income included $4.7 million of financial income, a decrease of $4.1 million compared to $8.8 million for the second quarter of 2008. This decrease reflects interest income from lower cash balances invested outside of the United States during 2009. Specifically, cash balances in our Brazilian operations have been applied to debt repayment and used to fund the acquisition of Huhtamaki Oyj's rigid packaging operations in Brazil, during the second quarter of 2009, as discussed below. Other costs and income also included $4.7 million of acquisition related professional fees for the second quarter of 2009.

Capital Structure

              Total debt to total capitalization was 26.3 percent at June 30, 2009, compared to 31.5 percent at December 31, 2008. Total debt as of June 30, 2009 was $592.1 million, a decrease of $94.5 million from $686.6 million at December 31, 2008. Strong cash flow from operations of $267.2 million for the first six months of 2009 was primarily the result of efforts to reduce working capital.

Liquidity

              As of June 30, 2009, we had available from our banks a $425.0 million revolving credit facility. This credit facility is used principally as back-up for our commercial paper program. As of June 30, 2009, there was $257.6 million of debt outstanding supported by this credit facility, leaving $167.4 million of available credit. Cash flows from operating activities are expected to continue to provide sufficient liquidity to meet future cash obligations for operations. In addition to debt repayment, cash flow during the second quarter of 2009 supported $23.1 million of capital expenditures, $23.2 million of common stock dividend payments, a $30.0 million tax-deductible, voluntary pension contribution, and a $43.0 million for the South America rigid packaging acquisition.

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BUSINESS

              With more than 150 years of operating history, we are the largest producer of flexible packaging in the Americas and a leading manufacturer of pressure sensitive materials globally, serving customers throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Our operations are organized around two business segments, Flexible Packaging and Pressure Sensitive, which accounted for approximately 83% and 17% of net sales for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2009, respectively. Combined, the segments serve customers throughout the world, including leading food and consumer products companies.

              Our Company was formed in 1858 as a manufacturer of seamless cotton bags and was incorporated in 1885 as Bemis Bro. Bag Company. In 1965, concurrent with an expanding product offering, the Company changed its name to Bemis Company, Inc. Acquisitions contributed to our growth with 19 transactions completed since 1990 (see table below).

              As of June 30, 2009, the Company had approximately 15,800 employees.

              For the LTM period ended June 30, 2009, Bemis generated net sales of $3.6 billion. Approximately 35 percent of net sales were outside North America in fiscal 2008.

              The Company's business activities are organized around two major business segments: Flexible Packaging and Pressure Sensitive Materials.

Flexible Packaging (83 percent of net sales for the LTM period ended June 30, 2009)

              With net sales of $3.0 billion for the LTM period ended June 30, 2009, the Flexible Packaging segment manufactures a broad range of food, consumer goods, and industrial packaging. Multilayer flexible polymer film structures and laminates are sold for food, medical, and personal care products as well as non-food applications utilizing vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging. Additional products include blown and cast stretchfilm products, carton sealing tapes and application equipment, custom thermoformed plastic packaging, multiwall paper bags, printed paper roll stock, and bag closing materials. Markets for our products include processed and fresh meat, liquids, frozen foods, cereals, snacks, cheese, coffee, condiments, candy, pet food, bakery, seed, lawn and garden, tissue, fresh produce, personal care and hygiene, disposable diapers, printed shrink overwrap for the food and beverage industry, agribusiness, pharmaceutical, minerals, and medical device packaging.

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              The Flexible Packaging segment provides packaging to a variety of end markets, including meat and cheese, confectionery and snack, frozen foods, lawn and garden, health and hygiene, beverages, medical devices, bakery, and dry foods.

Pressure Sensitive Materials (17 percent of net sales for the LTM period ended June 30, 2009)

              With net sales of $0.6 billion for the LTM period ended June 30, 2009, the Pressure Sensitive materials segment manufactures pressure sensitive adhesive coated paper and film substrates sold to label markets, graphic markets, and technical markets.

              Products for label markets include narrow-web rolls of pressure sensitive paper, film, and metalized film printing stocks used in high-speed printing and die-cutting of primary package labeling, secondary or promotional decoration, and for high-speed, high-volume electronic data processing stocks, bar code labels, and numerous laser printing applications. Primary markets include food and consumer goods, inventory control labeling, shipping labels, postage stamps, and laser/ink jet printed labels.

              Products for graphic markets include pressure sensitive films used for decorative signage through computer-aided plotters, digital and screen printers, and photographic overlaminate and mounting materials including optically clear films with built-in UV inhibitors. Offset printers, sign makers, and photo labs use these products on short-run and/or digital printing technology to create signs or vehicle graphics. Primary markets are indoor and outdoor signage, photograph and digital print overlaminates, and vehicle graphics.

              Products for technical markets are pressure sensitive materials that are technically engineered for performance in varied industrial applications. They include micro-thin film adhesives used in delicate electronic parts assembly and pressure sensitives utilizing foam and tape based stocks to perform fastening and mounting functions. Tapes sold to medical markets feature medical-grade adhesives suitable for direct skin contact. Primary markets are electronics, automotive, construction, medical, and pharmaceuticals.

Industry Overview

              We compete in the global flexible packaging market and believe we are the largest producer of flexible packaging in North and South America as measured by 2008 sales. The majority of our net sales are derived from the North American market, which generated approximately $26 billion in annual sales in 2007 according to the Flexible Packaging Association. Food represents the largest end market served by flexible packaging, accounting for over half of the total North American flexible packaging market in 2007.

              The overall flexible packaging industry remains generally fragmented, with a large number of competitors serving various applications. Competition is largely based on service, innovation, quality and price.

Product Innovation and Research and Development

              Our ability to develop new, innovative products to meet the design, application and performance characteristics of our customers' products has established us as a leader in flexible packaging. We have a dedicated research and development effort, driven by a team of chemical engineers and scientists who have expertise in understanding the chemical properties of specialty polymer resins and adhesives. This team of scientists has a mandate to constantly reengineer our product portfolio to create new film technologies offering increased performance characteristics.

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Customers

              We serve a broad base of customers throughout the world comprised of regional and local food companies as well as established, global food and consumer product companies. In fiscal 2008, our top 10 customers collectively accounted for approximately 23 percent of our net sales. Our customers demand a high degree of packaging design and engineering to accommodate complex packaging, adhesive performance and material requirements, in addition to quick and reliable delivery.

Raw Materials

              Plastic resins and films, paper, inks, adhesives, and chemicals constitute the major raw materials consumed in our manufacturing processes. Raw materials are purchased from a variety of global industry sources and we are not solely dependent on any one supplier for raw material supplies.

Marketing and Distribution

              While our sales are made through a variety of distribution methods, more than 90 percent of each segment's sales are made by our direct sales force. Sales offices and plants are located throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Scandinavia, Asia Pacific, South America, and Mexico. Our technically trained sales force is supported by product development engineers, design technicians, and a customer service organization. Advertising is limited primarily to business and trade publications emphasizing the Company's product features and related technical capabilities and the individual problem-solving approach to customer problems.

Competition

              In both of our business segments, areas of competition include service, innovation, quality and price. Major competitors in the Flexible Packaging segment include Alcan Packaging, Amcor Limited, Exopack Company, Hood Packaging Corporation, Bryce Corporation, Pliant Corporation, Printpack, Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Winpak ltd. and Wihuri OY. Major competitors in the Pressure Sensitive Materials segment include 3M, Acucote, Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation, FLEXcon Corporation, Green Bay Packaging Inc., Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ritrama Inc., Spinnaker Industries, Inc., Technicote Inc., UPM-Kymmene Corporation and Wausau Coated Products Inc.

Employees

              As of June 30, 2009, we had approximately 15,800 employees. Many of the North American production employees are covered by collective bargaining contracts involving three different international unions, one independent union, and 16 individual contracts with terms ranging from one to five years. During 2008, three contracts covering approximately 600 employees at three different locations in the United States were successfully negotiated while two contracts covering approximately 120 employees at one domestic location continue to be negotiated. Five domestic labor agreements covering approximately 1,400 employees are scheduled to expire in 2009. Many of the non-North American production employees as well as some of the non-North American salaried workforce are covered by collective bargaining contracts involving 23 different unions with terms ranging from one to two years.

Global Presence

              As of June 30, 2009, we had 61 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries around the world. We continuously invest in our businesses and facilities in order to improve efficiency and achieve an ongoing objective of manufacturing excellence. We believe our manufacturing facilities are modern and maintained to world-class operating standards. In 2007, we completed a multiyear capital expansion program to enhance our polyester platform and our medical device packaging capacity. Further, our ongoing implementation of our World Class Manufacturing program initiatives has focused on continuous improvements in operating efficiencies and levels of working capital.

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Flexible Packaging Locations

Pressure Sensitive Materials Locations

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*

Operates as part of Bemis Flexible Packaging Europe

**

Operates as a distribution/sales facility

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Management

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Bemis Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information

              On July 5, 2009, Bemis Company, Inc. ("Bemis") entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with certain subsidiaries of Rio Tinto plc (the "Sellers"), pursuant to which Bemis agreed to acquire the food packaging business and certain related assets of the Sellers located in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and New Zealand ("Food Americas") for approximately $1.2 billion (the "Acquisition"). The completion of the Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), and the receipt of approval under the Mexican Federal Law on Economic Competition. The Acquisition is intended to be financed with a combination of approximately $1.0 billion in debt and $200 million in equity.

              The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the proposed acquisition of Food Americas by Bemis, including the related financing. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet combines the historical balance sheets of Bemis and Food Americas, giving effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on March 31, 2009. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income combine the historical statements of income of Bemis and Food Americas, giving effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2008. The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to matters that are (1) directly attributable to the Acquisition, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on the operating results of the combined company. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements and:

•

The historical unaudited interim financial statements of Bemis included in Bemis' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2009;



•

The audited historical financial statements of Bemis, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, included in Bemis' Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 20, 2009;



•

The audited historical combined financial statements of Food Americas as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 which is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K; and



•

The historical unaudited combined interim financial statements of Food Americas as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 which is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

              The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information will differ from our final acquisition accounting for a number of reasons, including the fact that our estimates of fair value are preliminary and subject to change when our formal valuation and other studies are finalized. The differences that will occur between the preliminary estimates and the final acquisition accounting could have a material impact on the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

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              The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information is presented for informational purposes only. It has been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the SEC and is not necessarily indicative of what our financial position or results of operation actually would have been had we completed the acquisition at the dates indicated, nor does it purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company. It also does not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies or revenue enhancements that we may achieve with respect to the combined company nor the costs necessary to achieve those costs savings, operating synergies, revenue enhancements, or integrate the operations of Bemis and Food Americas.

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BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

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BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

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BEMIS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Note 1—Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

              The aggregate purchase price for the Acquisition is $1,213,000 payable at closing, subject to certain customary adjustments both at and post closing (the "Purchase Price"). Bemis may, subject to certain conditions, pay up to $200,000 of the Purchase Price in Bemis stock with the balance of the Purchase Price to be paid in cash.

              Total purchase consideration paid for the Acquisition is expected to be approximately $1,208,065, calculated as follows:

              The estimated purchase consideration of $1,208,065 has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

              For the purpose of preparing the unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information, certain of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been measured at their estimated fair values as of March 31, 2009. A final determination of fair values will be based on the actual net tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of Food Americas that will exist on the date of the closing of the Acquisition and on our formal valuation and other studies when they are finalized. Accordingly, the fair values of the assets and liabilities included in the table above are preliminary and subject to change pending additional information that may become known to Bemis. An increase in the fair value of inventory, property, plant and equipment or any identifiable intangible assets will reduce the amount of goodwill in the combined condensed financial information, and may result in increased depreciation and/or amortization expense.

              Of the $198,500 of acquired intangible assets, $105,000 was assigned to Customer Relationships with an estimated economic life of 20 years, $75,000 was allocated to Technology with an estimated economic life of 15 years, $15,000 was allocated to Tradenames with an economic life of 20 years, and $3,500 was allocated to Order Backlog with an economic life of less than 1 year. The determination of fair value for these assets was primarily based upon the expected discounted cash flows. The determination of useful life was based upon historical acquisition experience, economic factors, and future cash flows of the combined company. The estimated annual amortization expense for these

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acquired intangible assets is approximately $11,000, using straight-line amortization, and has been included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income. This amount does not include $3,500 related to Order Backlog which has not been included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income as it is considered non-recurring.

              Inventories reflect an adjustment of $9,555 to record the inventory at its estimated fair market value. This amount is recorded in the March 31, 2009 Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet. The increased inventory valuation will temporarily impact Bemis' cost of sales after closing and therefore it is considered non-recurring and is not included in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income.

              Property, Plant and Equipment reflects an adjustment of $54,927 to record at estimated fair market value.

              A preliminary net deferred tax liability of $14,000 has been recognized in accordance with accounting for income taxes. This amount relates to $7,718 assumed as part of the transaction, plus $6,282 relating to the tax effect on differences between the values assigned and the estimated tax basis of assets and liabilities acquired.

              Other assets reflect an adjustment of $10,702 to record assets related to the indemnity provisions of the Agreement, and are primarily related to environmental and tax matters.

Note 2—Balance Sheet Transaction Adjustments

              These adjustments represent assets not acquired and liabilities not assumed pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Excluded assets and liabilities primarily include cash and cash equivalents, third-party debt, loans receivable from and loans payable to Seller-related entities, and pension, post-retirement and other employee benefit plan liabilities.

Note 3—Debt Financing for the Acquisition

              These adjustments reflect the expected debt financing required to fund the Acquisition and related transaction costs. For purposes of these Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements, we have assumed that we will complete a debt financing by the time the transaction closes. The assumed debt financing is as follows:

•

Commercial paper of $248,115 at a current average interest rate of 0.7% (based on rates as of July 15, 2009)



•

Notes payable due in 2014 and 2019 totaling $800,000 at a blended interest rate of approximately 7%

              On July 5, 2009, we also expanded the commitments under our existing $425,000 revolving credit facility by $200,000, as described in the Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2009. We do not expect to draw on the revolving facility on the assumption that the commercial paper market is available at the time the transaction closes. We expect to incur, and thus assumed the payment of, approximately $9,775 of financing fees associated with the debt financing, which will be amortized over periods of four to ten years in line with the maturity of the debt.

              On July 5, 2009, we also entered into a commitment letter with certain lenders that have committed to provide up to $800,000 under a 364-day unsecured bridge loan facility to finance of a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition. For purposes of these Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements we have assumed that we will not need to draw on this facility given the financing plan described above. In connection with this bridge loan facility, we incurred $10,000 of fees which, for purposes of the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet, has been reflected as a cash payment and reduction to retained earnings of $6,300

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(after tax). Bemis did not assume any further fees related to the bridge facility as it is assumed that the bridge facility will not be drawn upon. The fees paid under the bridge facility could increase significantly should Bemis need to draw on this facility.

Note 4—Equity Financing for the Acquisition

              Prior to the closing of the Acquisition, we intend to issue approximately $200,000 in common stock in a public offering (net of underwriting fees of approximately $9,424) to fund a portion of the purchase price. Shares to be issued of 7,879,100 were calculated using the Bemis closing share price as of July 15, 2009, which was $26.58. If the Bemis share price increases or decreases by $1 per share, the number of shares required to be issued would decrease by 285,678 shares or increase by 308,100 shares, respectively.

              As described in our Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2009, in connection with the execution of the Agreement we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with an affiliate of the Sellers, pursuant to which we have agreed, but are not obligated, to sell at the closing of the Acquisition, up to $200,000 in shares of common stock of the Company, at a per share purchase price equal to 95% of the ten-day volume-weighted average of the per share prices of the Company's common stock ending at the close of the trading day prior to the closing of the Acquisition. For purposes of these Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements we have assumed that we will not have to issue shares pursuant to this arrangement.

Note 5—Statement of Income Transaction Adjustments

              Represents the income statement impact of certain aspects of the Agreement. It consists primarily of (i) the elimination of royalty payments to affiliates of the Seller that will cease upon the closing of the Acquisition and the transfer of the related patents to us ($20,198 and $5,864 in year ended December 31, 2008 and three months ended March 31, 2009, respectively), and (ii) the net impact of certain product sales that are not included in the Food Americas historical financial statements that will transfer to us after Closing, and certain product sales that are included in the Food Americas historical financial statements that will remain with Seller.

Note 6—Statement of Income Adjustments to Reflect Purchase Price Allocation

              Represents the estimated adjustments to amortization and depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustments of certain intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. Depreciation expense relating to property, plant and equipment and amortization expense relating to Technology are included in Cost of Products Sold, and amortization expense relating to Customer Relationships and Tradenames are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Note 7—Statement of Income Adjustments to Reflect Financing

              This adjustment reflects interest expense relating to approximately $1,048,115 of debt issued to fund the Acquisition as further described in Note 3, partially offset by the elimination of Food America's historical interest expense relating to debt not assumed. This incremental interest expense includes approximately $2,000 over the next 12 months of amortization expense relating to deferred financing fees expected to be incurred at the time of close.

              The actual rates of interest can change from those that are assumed in Note 3. If the actual interest rates that are incurred when the debt is actually drawn were to increase or decrease by .125% from the rates we have assumed in estimating the pro forma interest adjustment, pro forma interest expense could increase or decrease by approximately $1,300 per year.

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Note 8—Non-recurring Acquisition Expenses

              This adjustment represents acquisition expenses reported by us in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. We have reversed these expenses from the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income on the basis that they are non-recurring. No adjustment was made for the annual period as all costs were capitalized in accordance with accounting guidance effective at that time. In the first quarter of 2009, in accordance with the revised acquisition accounting guidelines, all historically capitalized costs were expensed and all costs incurred during the quarter were also expensed.

              We expect to incur additional transaction costs, including financial and legal advisory fees, of approximately $20,275 through the transaction close date. As referenced in Note 3, we also incurred a $10,000 bridge financing fee. The total of these costs has been recorded as a cash outlay of $30,275, a reduction to retained earnings of $19,073 and a reduction to accrued income and other taxes of $11,202 on the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Balance Sheet. These costs are excluded from the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Statements of Income as they are considered non-recurring.

Note 9—Tax Adjustments

              For purposes of these Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements, a blended statutory rate of 37% has been used for all periods and dates presented. This rate is an estimate and does not take into account any possible future tax events that may occur for the combined company.

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO
NON-U.S. HOLDERS

              The following is a summary of the material United States federal income and estate tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our common stock as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with common stock that is held as a capital asset by a non-U.S. holder.

              A "non-U.S. holder" means a person (other than a partnership) that is not for United States federal income tax purposes any of the following:

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;



•

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;



•

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or



•

a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

              This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income and estate tax consequences different from those summarized below. This summary does not address all aspects of United States federal income and estate taxes and does not deal with foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, it does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws (including if you are a United States expatriate, "controlled foreign corporation," "passive foreign investment company" or a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.

              If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisors.

              If you are considering the purchase of our common stock, you should consult your tax advisors concerning the particular United States federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the ownership and disposition of common stock, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

Dividends

              Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the non-U.S. holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment) are not subject to withholding, although the non-U.S. holder must provide a Form W-8ECI or successor form in order to claim an exemption from withholding. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States

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federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a United States person as defined in the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

              A non-U.S. holder of our common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for dividends will be required (a) to complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined in the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits, (b) if our common stock is held through one of certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations or (c) in the case of payments made outside the United States to an offshore account (generally, an account maintained by the non-U.S. holder at an office or branch of a bank or other financial institution at any location outside the United States), to provide other documentary evidence establishing the non-U.S. holder's entitlement to the lower treaty rate in accordance with United States Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

              Any gain realized on the disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

•

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder);



•

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or



•

we are or have been a "United States real property holding corporation" for United States federal income tax purposes and the non-U.S. holder held, directly or indirectly, at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition (or, if shorter, such holder's holding period for the common stock), more than 5% of our common stock and such holder is not eligible for any treaty exemption.

              An individual non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a United States person as defined in the Code and, in addition, may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. We believe we are not and do not anticipate becoming a "United States real property holding corporation" for United States federal income tax purposes.

Federal Estate Tax

              Common stock held by an individual non-U.S. holder at the time of death will be included in such holder's gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

              We must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

              A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined in the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

              Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the United States or conducted through one of certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined in the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption. The certification procedures required to claim a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty or an exemption from withholding for effectively connected dividends described above will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well.

              Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder's United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

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UNDERWRITING

              Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite the names of the underwriters below:

              Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the purchase agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares sold under the purchase agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase agreement may be terminated.

              We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

              The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

              The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $            per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $            per share to other dealers. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

              The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option.

              The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $                        and are payable by us.

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Overallotment Option

              We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 1,125,000 additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the purchase agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table.

No Sales of Similar Securities

              We, our executive officers and directors have agreed not to sell or transfer any common stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with common stock, for 90 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of the representatives. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly

•

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock,



•

sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock,



•

purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock,



•

grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common stock,



•

lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock,



•

request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the common stock, or



•

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any common stock whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

              The foregoing agreements are subject to certain limited exceptions, which include (i) the sale by the Company of shares of common stock to an affiliate of Rio Tinto plc pursuant to a share purchase agreement to finance the acquisition of Alcan Packaging Food Americas, in an amount up to $200 million minus the net proceeds from this offering, (ii) the distribution to trust beneficiaries of 50,000 shares of common stock held in a trust of which one of our directors has a 16.7 percent present beneficial interest, without restriction to beneficiaries other than to such director, and (ii) the issuance of shares by the Company pursuant to its existing employee stock plans.

New York Stock Exchange Listing

              The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BMS".

Price Stabilization, Short Positions

              Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

              In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. "Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to

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purchase additional shares in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. "Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

              Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters' purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

              Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

              In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, Merrill Lynch may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. Merrill Lynch may allocate a limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet web site maintained by Merrill Lynch. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Merrill Lynch web site is not part of this prospectus.

Other Relationships

              Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory services and have engaged, and may in the future engage, in other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these services and transactions. Specifically, in connection with the financing of the Acquisition, we entered into a commitment letter (the "Commitment Letter") whereby certain affiliates of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. agreed to structure, arrange and syndicate a senior term loan credit facility (the "Facility") in an aggregate amount of $800 million (the "Commitments"). Pursuant to the Commitment Letter, the Commitments will be ratably reduced by any amount that would require mandatory prepayment by the Company under the Facility as if the Facility were in effect on such date, which specifically includes the net cash proceeds of any debt incurred through any public offering of debt securities. As such, the Commitments will be ratably reduced by the net cash proceeds that we receive from our debt offering. In addition, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., is transfer agent for the common stock.

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Selling Restrictions

              No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the common stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the common stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

              Each of the underwriters may arrange to sell common stock offered hereby in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, either directly or through affiliates, where they are permitted to do so. In that regard, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may arrange to sell shares in certain jurisdictions through an affiliate, Wachovia Securities International Limited, or WSIL. WSIL is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. WSIL is a U.K. incorporated investment firm regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Wells Fargo Securities is the trade name for certain corporate and investment banking services of Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates, including Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and WSIL.

European Economic Area

              In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a "relevant member state"), each underwriter has represented and agreed with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the "relevant implementation date"), an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

•

to any legal entity that is authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;



•

to any legal entity that has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or



•

in any other circumstances that do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive. Each purchaser of shares described in this prospectus supplement located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

              For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.

              The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters

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with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the notes on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

United Kingdom

              This prospectus supplement is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive ("Qualified Investors") that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

France

              The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) have not been prepared in connection with the offering of our securities that has been approved by the Autorité des marchés financiers or by the competent authority of another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des marchés financiers; no security has been offered or sold and will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France except to permitted investors, or Permitted Investors, consisting of persons licensed to provide the investment service of portfolio management for the account of third parties, qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account and/or corporate investors meeting one of the four criteria provided in article D. 341-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and belonging to a limited circle of investors (cercle restreint d'investisseurs) acting for their own account, with "qualified investors" and "limited circle of investors" having the meaning ascribed to them in Article L. 411-2, D. 411-1, D. 411-2, D. 734-1, D. 744-1, D. 754-1 and D. 764-1 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier; none of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying Prospectus or any other materials related to the offer or information contained therein relating to our securities has been released, issued or distributed to the public in France except to Permitted Investors; and the direct or indirect resale to the public in France of any securities acquired by any Permitted Investors may be made only as provided by articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2, L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 to L. 621-8-3 of the French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable regulations thereunder.

Italy

              The offering of the securities has not been registered pursuant to the Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, we have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, any securities in the Republic of Italy in a solicitation to the public, and that sales of the securities in the Republic of Italy shall be effected in accordance with all Italian securities, tax and exchange control and other applicable laws and regulations. In any case, the securities cannot be offered or sold to any individuals in the Republic of Italy either in the primary market or the secondary market.

              We will not offer, sell or deliver any securities or distribute copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the securities in the Republic of Italy except:

to "Professional Investors", as defined in Article 31.2 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 of 2 July 1998 as amended ("Regulation No. 11522"), pursuant to Article 30.2 and 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58

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of 24 February 1998 as amended ("Decree No. 58"), or in any other circumstances where an expressed exemption to comply with the solicitation restrictions provided by Decree No. 58 or Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999 as amended applies, provided, however, that any such offer, sale or delivery of the securities or distribution of copies of the prospectus or any other document relating to the securities in the Republic of Italy must be:

•

made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993 as amended ("Decree No. 385"), Decree No. 58, CONSOB Regulation No. 11522 and any other applicable laws and regulations;



•

in compliance with Article 129 of Decree No. 385 and the implementing instructions of the Bank of Italy, pursuant to which the issue, trading or placement of securities in Italy is subject to a prior notification to the Bank of Italy, unless and exemption, depending, inter alia, on the aggregate amount and the characteristics of the securities issued or offered in the Republic of Italy, applies; and



•

in compliance with any other applicable notification requirement or limitation which may be imposed by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy.

Switzerland

              This document as well as any other material relating to the shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this Prospectus (the "Shares") do not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The Shares will not be listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to the Shares, including, but not limited to, this document, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of SWX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SWX Swiss Exchange.

              The Shares are being offered in Switzerland by way of a private placement, i.e. to a small number of selected investors only, without any public offer and only to investors who do not purchase the Shares with the intention to distribute them to the public. The investors will be individually approached by the Company from time to time.

              This document as well as any other material relating to the Shares is personal and confidential and do not constitute an offer to any other person. This document may only be used by those investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without express consent of the Issuer. It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in (or from) Switzerland.

Dubai

              This document relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this Prospectus (the "Shares") may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the Shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the Shares. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

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Hong Kong

              The shares may not be offered or sold to persons in Hong Kong by means of any document other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent, or in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

              The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the "Securities and Exchange Law") and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any shares, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

              This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

              Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

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VALIDITY OF THE SHARES

              The validity of the shares will be passed upon for us by Faegre & Benson LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York. James J. Seifert, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Bemis Company, Inc., will pass upon certain additional legal matters. Mr. Seifert owns, or has the right to acquire, 147,935 shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

              The audited consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 20, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

              The audited historical combined financial statements of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business of Rio Tinto and the audited historical combined financial statements of Alcan Packaging Food Americas, a component of Alcan Inc., included in Bemis Company, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 20, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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PROSPECTUS

BEMIS COMPANY, INC.

Bemis Company, Inc.
Debt Securities
Units
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Common Stock

        We may offer to sell any of the following securities from time to time:

•

debt securities;

•

preferred stock, either directly or represented by depositary shares;

•

common stock; and

•

units, comprised of two or more securities, in any combination.

        The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock of Bemis. When we use the term "securities" in this prospectus, we mean any of the securities we may offer with this prospectus, unless we say otherwise.

        If any securities are to be listed or quoted on a securities exchange or quotation system, your prospectus supplement will say so. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol "BMS."

        The securities will be offered when they are first issued and sold.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus or incorporated into this prospectus by reference. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.

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        Investing in the securities involves risks. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, if applicable, any risk factors described in any accompanying prospectus supplement.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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        When we issue new securities, we may offer them for sale to or through underwriters, dealers and agents or directly to purchasers. Your prospectus supplement will include any required information about the firms we use and the discounts or commissions we may pay them for their services.

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The date of this prospectus is July 20, 2009.

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        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and in other offering material, if any, or information contained in documents which you are referred to by this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, or in other offering material, if any. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are offering to sell the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or other offering material is accurate only as of the date on the front of those documents, regardless of the time of delivery of the documents or any sale of the securities.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

        We have included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Bemis's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Bemis's control. It is possible that Bemis's actual results may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results indicated in these forward-looking statements.

        Information regarding important factors that could cause actual results to differ, perhaps materially, from those in Bemis's forward-looking statements is contained under the caption "Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements" in Bemis's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is incorporated into this prospectus by reference. See "Where You Can Find More Information" above for information about how to obtain a copy of this annual report.

        No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities it describes, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling security holders may offer.

        Each time we or any selling security holders sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. In addition, selling security holders may sell securities under our shelf registration statement. We and any underwriter or agent that we may from time to time retain may also provide other information relating to an offering, which we refer to as "other offering material." The prospectus supplement as well as the other offering material may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any applicable pricing supplement, together with additional information described in the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and any other offering material. Throughout this prospectus, where we indicate that information may be supplemented in an applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, that information may also be supplemented in other offering material provided.

        To see more detail, you should read our registration statement and the exhibits filed with our registration statement.

        Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references to "Bemis," "us," "we" or "our" in this prospectus mean Bemis Company, Inc., and do not include the consolidated subsidiaries of Bemis Company, Inc. When we refer to "you" in this section, we mean all purchasers of the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners of those securities.

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BEMIS COMPANY, INC.

        We, either directly or indirectly through our subsidiaries, are a principal manufacturer of flexible packaging products and pressure sensitive materials. We sell products to customers in the United States, Canada and Europe and have a growing presence in Asia Pacific, South America and Mexico. In 2008, we derived approximately 83 percent of our sales from flexible packaging and approximately 17 percent of our sales from pressure sensitive materials. The primary market for our products is the food industry. Other markets for our products include companies in the following types of businesses: chemical, agribusiness, medical, pharmaceutical, personal care, electronics, automotive, construction, graphic industries, and other consumer goods.

Flexible Packaging

        Our flexible packaging business segment provides packaging to a variety of end market segments, including meat and cheese, confectionery and snack, frozen foods, lawn and garden, health and hygiene, beverages, medical devices, bakery, industrial, and dry foods. The most significant raw materials used in this business segment are polymer resins, which we use to develop and manufacture single layer and multilayer film products. Selling price changes lag about 90 days behind changes in our raw material costs, which results in negative operating margin pressure during periods of cost increases and operating margin improvement during periods of cost decreases.

Pressure Sensitive Materials

        The pressure sensitive materials business segment offers adhesive products to three markets: prime and variable information labels, which include roll label stock used in a wide variety of label markets; graphic design, used to create signage and decorations; and technical components, which represent pressure sensitive components for industries such as the electronics, automotive, construction and medical industries. Paper and adhesive are the primary raw materials used in our pressure sensitive materials business segment. For the last several years, general economic conditions and competitive pressures have had a greater influence on selling prices and operating performance than raw material costs.

        Our principal executive offices are located at One Neenah Center, 4^th Floor, Neenah, Wisconsin 54957, and our telephone number is 920-727-4100.

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CONSOLIDATED RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risk. Please carefully consider the risk factors described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as any prospectus supplement relating to a specific security. Before making any investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operation or financial condition and affect the value of our securities. You could lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, repurchases of common stock, capital expenditures and the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansions. The net proceeds from the sale of securities may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term obligations until they are used for their stated purpose.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

        References to "Bemis," "us," "we" or "our" in this section mean Bemis Company, Inc., and do not include the consolidated subsidiaries of Bemis Company, Inc. In this section, references to "holders" mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the applicable trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read the section below entitled "Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance."

Debt Securities May Be Senior or Subordinated

        We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets or the property or assets of our subsidiaries. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are one of our unsecured creditors.

        The senior debt securities and, in the case of senior debt securities in bearer form, any related interest coupons, will be issued under our senior debt indenture described below and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.

        The subordinated debt securities and, in the case of subordinated debt securities in bearer form, any related interest coupons, will be issued under our subordinated debt indenture described below and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of our "senior indebtedness," as defined in the subordinated debt indenture. None of the indentures limit our ability to incur additional unsecured indebtedness.

        When we refer to "debt securities" in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities.

The Senior Debt Indenture and Subordinated Debt Indenture

        The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are each governed by a document called an indenture—the senior debt indenture, in the case of the senior debt securities, and the subordinated debt indenture, in the case of the subordinated debt securities. Each indenture is a contract between Bemis and U.S. Bank National Association, which acts as trustee. The indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated debt indenture.

        Reference to the indenture or the trustee with respect to any debt securities means the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee under that indenture.

        The trustee has two main roles:

1.

The trustee can enforce the rights of holders against us if we default on our obligations under the terms of the indenture or the debt securities. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on behalf of holders, described below under "—Events of Default—Remedies If an Event of Default Occurs."



2.

The trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending interest payments and notices to holders, and transferring a holder's debt securities to a new buyer if a holder sells.

        The indenture and its associated documents contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section. The indenture and the debt securities are governed by New York law. A copy of each indenture is an exhibit to our registration statement. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy.

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General

        We may issue as many distinct series of debt securities under any of the indentures as we wish. The provisions of the senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those previously issued under the applicable indenture, but also to "reopen" a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series provided that the additional notes are deemed part of the same "issue" as the previously issued notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We may issue debt securities in amounts that exceed the total amount specified on the cover of your prospectus supplement at any time without your consent and without notifying you. In addition, we may offer debt securities, together in the form of units with other debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, as described below under "Description of Units We May Offer."

        This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series, although the prospectus supplement which describes the terms of each series of debt securities may also describe differences from the material terms summarized here.

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. In this summary, we describe the meaning of only some of the more important terms. For your convenience, we also include references in parentheses to certain sections of the indenture. Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indenture in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, such sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference here or in the prospectus supplement. You must look to the indenture for the most complete description of what we describe in summary form in this prospectus.

        This summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of your series described in the prospectus supplement. Those terms may vary from the terms described in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement relating to each series of debt securities will be attached to the front of this prospectus. There may also be a further prospectus supplement, known as a pricing supplement, which contains the precise terms of debt securities you are offered. In addition, we may also incorporate additional information concerning the debt securities by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information."

        We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, which may be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. (Section 301) The prospectus supplement relating to the original issue discount securities will describe the material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to them. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies or currency units, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities will also describe the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

        The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations. The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The indentures permit us to issue debt securities from time to time, and debt securities issued under the indentures will be issued as part of a series that have been established by us under either of the indentures. (Section 301) Unless a prospectus supplement relating to debt securities states otherwise, the indentures and the terms of the debt securities will not contain any covenants designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection in a highly leveraged or other transaction involving us that may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.

        In addition, the specific financial, legal and other terms particular to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement (Section 301) and, if applicable, a pricing supplement

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relating to the series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the following terms of the series:

•

the title of the series of the securities;



•

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series of the securities;



•

the person to whom interest on a security is payable, if other than the holder on the regular record date;



•

the date or dates on which the principal or installments of principal (and premium, if any) of the series of securities is or are payable and any rights to extend such date or dates;



•

the rate or rates at which the series of the securities shall bear interest, if any, or the formula pursuant to which such rate or rates shall be determined;



•

the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, the regular record dates for the interest payment dates and the circumstances, if any, in which we may defer interest payments;



•

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the series of securities is payable;



•

if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the series of securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part;



•

our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;



•

if other than denominations of $1,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000, the denominations in which the series of securities shall be issuable;



•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on any the series of securities shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America and the manner of determining the U.S. dollar equivalent of the principal amount thereof;



•

if the principal of or any premium or interest on any securities of the series is to be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;



•

any other event or events of default applicable with respect to the series of securities;



•

if less than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the series of securities which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;



•

whether the series of securities shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the depositary or its nominee with respect to the series of securities and the circumstances under which the global security may be registered for transfer or exchange in the name of a person other than the depositary or the nominee;



•

if principal of or any premium or interest on the series of securities is denominated or payable in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the applicability of the provisions described under "—Defeasance" below; and

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•

any other terms of the series.

Overview of Remainder of this Description

        The remainder of this description summarizes:

•

Additional Mechanics relevant to the debt securities under normal circumstances, such as how holders transfer ownership and where we make payments;

•

Holders' rights in several Special Situations, such as if we merge with another company or if we want to change a term of the debt securities;

•

Subordination Provisions in the subordinated debt indenture that may prohibit us from making payment on those securities;

•

Our right to release ourselves from all or some of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture by a process called Defeasance; and

•

Holders' rights if we Default or experience other financial difficulties.

Additional Mechanics

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        Unless we specify otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued:

•

only in fully registered form;



•

without interest coupons; and



•

in denominations that are even multiples of $1,000. (Section 302)

        Holders may have their debt securities exchanged for more debt securities of smaller denominations of not less than $1,000 or exchanged for fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. (Section 305).

        Holders may exchange or transfer debt securities at the office of the trustee. They may also replace lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities at that office. The trustee acts as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. We may change this appointment to another entity or perform it ourselves. The entity performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders is called the security registrar. It will also perform transfers. The trustee's agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities. (Sections 305, 306)

        Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange debt securities, but holders may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer . The transfer or exchange will only be made if the security registrar is satisfied with your proof of ownership. (Section 305, 306)

        If we designate additional transfer agents, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may cancel the designation of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts. However, no designation or rescission relieves the Company of its obligation to maintain an office in each place of payment for securities of any series. (Section 1002)

        If the debt securities are redeemable, we may block the transfer or exchange of debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed. (Section 305)

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        The rules for an exchange described above apply to an exchange of debt securities for other debt securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into or for a different kind of security, such as one that we have not issued, or for other property, the rules governing that type of conversion, exercise or exchange will be described in the prospectus supplement.

Global Securities

        The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with or on behalf of a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and may be in either temporary or permanent form.

        The related prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to that series of debt securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

        Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, global securities to be deposited with or on behalf of a depositary will be registered in the name of that depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for that global security will credit the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by such global security to the participants that have accounts with that depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in those global securities will be limited to participants in the depositary or persons that may hold interests through these participants.

        A participant's ownership of beneficial interests in these global securities will be shown on the records maintained by the depositary or its nominee. The transfer of a participant's beneficial interest will only be effected through these records. A person whose ownership of beneficial interests in these global securities is held through a participant will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by the participant. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Limits and laws of this nature may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

        Except as set forth below and in the indenture, owners of beneficial interests in the global security will not be entitled to receive debt securities of the series represented by that global security in definitive form and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of those debt securities under the global security. Because the depositary can act only on behalf of participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of beneficial owners of interests in a global security to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the depositary system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests. No beneficial owner of an interest in the global security will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with the depositary's applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the applicable indenture and, if applicable, those of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, Clearstream International and/or any other relevant clearing system.

        We will make payment of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on global securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or the holder of the global security. None of us, the trustee, any paying agent or the securities registrar for those debt securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests. (Sections 307, 308)

        We expect that the depositary for a permanent global security, upon receipt of any payment in respect of a permanent global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in

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amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of that global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of those participants.

        We may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities represented by one or more global securities. In such event, we will issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing such debt securities. (Section 305)

        If set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us and the depositary, receive debt securities of that series in definitive form. In that event, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of debt securities of the series represented by that global security equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to have those debt securities registered in its name. (Section 305)

Registered and Bearer Securities

        Registered securities may be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, registered in the same name, for the same aggregate principal amount in authorized denominations and will be transferable at any time or from time to time at the office of the trustee. The holder will not pay a service charge for any such exchange or transfer except for any tax or governmental charge incidental thereto. (Section 305) If permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms upon which registered securities may be exchanged for bearer securities of the series. If any bearer securities are issued, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for registered securities of the same series will be described in the prospectus supplement.

Payment and Paying Agents

        We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee's records at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. Except as otherwise may be stated in the prospectus supplement, the record date will be the last day of the calendar month preceding an interest due date if such interest due date is the fifteenth day of the calendar month and will be the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding an interest due date if such interest due date is the first day of the calendar month. (Section 307) Holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between them how to compensate for the fact that we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the one who is the registered holder on the regular record date. The most common manner is to adjust the sale price of the securities to pro-rate interest fairly between buyer and seller. This prorated interest amount is called accrued interest.

        We will pay interest, principal and any other money due on the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee. That office is currently located at 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55107. Holders must make arrangements to have their payments picked up at or wired from that office. We may also choose to pay interest by mailing checks.

BOOK-ENTRY AND OTHER INDIRECT HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR BANKS, BROKERS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW THEY WILL RECEIVE PAYMENTS.

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        We may also arrange for additional payment offices and may cancel or change these offices, including our use of the trustee's corporate trust office. These offices are called paying agents. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent or choose one of our subsidiaries to do so. We must notify the trustee of any changes in the paying agents for any particular series of debt securities. (Section 1002)

Notices

        We and the trustee will send notices regarding the debt securities only to holders, using their addresses as listed in the trustee's records. (Section 106) With respect to who is a legal "holder" for this purpose, see "Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance."

        Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to holders will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, holders may look to us for payment and not to the trustee or any other paying agent. (Section 1003)

Special Situations

Mergers and Similar Events

        We are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another company or firm. We are also permitted to sell or lease substantially all of our assets to another company or firm. However, when we merge out of existence or sell or lease substantially all of our assets, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

•

the entity formed by such consolidation or merger may not be organized under a foreign country's laws; that is, it must be organized under the laws of a state of the United States or the District of Columbia or under federal law, and it must agree to be legally responsible for the debt securities;



•

after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indentures, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, will have occurred and be continuing unless the merger or other transactions would cure the default; and



•

we must have delivered certain certificates and opinions to the trustee. (Section 801)

        If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to any series of debt securities, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell our assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell substantially all of our assets to another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control but in which we do not merge or consolidate, any transaction in which we sell less than substantially all of our assets and any merger or consolidation in which we are the surviving corporation. (Section 801) It is possible that this type of transaction may result in a reduction in our credit rating, may reduce our operating results or may impair our financial condition. Holders of our debt securities, however, will have no approval right with respect to any transaction of this type.

Modification and Waiver of the Debt Securities

        We may modify or amend the indentures without the consent of the holders of any of our outstanding debt securities for various enumerated purposes, including the naming, by a supplemental indenture, of a trustee other than U.S. Bank National Association, for a series of debt securities. We may modify or amend the indentures with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate

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principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the modification or amendment. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each affected debt security:

•

modify the terms of payment of principal, premium or interest; or



•

reduce the stated percentage of holders of debt securities necessary to modify or amend the indentures or waive our compliance with certain provisions of the indentures and certain defaults thereunder; or



•

modify the subordination provisions of the subordinated debt indenture in a manner adverse to such holders.

Restrictions on Secured Debt

        The indentures provide that neither we nor certain of our subsidiaries, which are referred to as Restricted Subsidiaries, may incur or otherwise create any new secured debt, which is debt secured by:

•

a lien on certain significant manufacturing facilities (which are referred to in the indentures as Principal Properties); or



•

shares of stock or debt of a Restricted Subsidiary. (Section 1007)

The restriction on creating new secured debt, however, does not apply if the outstanding debt securities are secured equally and ratably with the new secured debt. (Section 1007)

        The restriction on incurring or otherwise creating any new secured debt does not apply to the following ("Permitted Liens"):

•

liens on any Principal Property acquired, constructed or improved by us or any Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the respective indenture (June 5, 1995 in the case of the senior debt indenture or July 10, 2009 in the case of the subordinated debt indenture), which liens are created or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 180 days of, such acquisition, construction or improvement, and which are created to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement;



•

liens on property, shares of capital stock or debt existing at the time of the acquisition of such property, shares of capital stock or debt of a corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;



•

liens in favor of us or any Restricted Subsidiary;



•

liens in favor of the United States of America or any State, or in favor of any department, agency or instrumentality or political division, or in favor of any other country or any political subdivision of a foreign country, the purpose of which is to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments;



•

liens imposed by law, for example mechanics', workmen's, repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business;



•

pledges or deposits under workmen's compensation or similar legislation or in certain other circumstances;



•

liens in connection with legal proceedings;



•

liens for taxes or assessments;



•

liens consisting of restrictions on the use of real property that do not interfere materially with the property's use; or

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•

any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of any lien existing on the date of the respective indenture, or otherwise referred to in the previous bullet points. (Section 1007)

        In addition, we or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur or otherwise create secured debt without equally and ratably securing the debt securities if, when such secured debt is incurred or created, the total amount of all outstanding secured debt (excluding Permitted Liens) plus Attributable Debt (as defined below) relating to sale and lease-back transactions does not exceed 10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1007)

Restrictions on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

        The indentures provide that neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any sale and lease-back transaction involving any Principal Property, unless either:

•

we or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur debt secured by a Permitted Lien on such property, or



•

within 180 days, we apply to the retirement of our Funded Debt (debt that matures at or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than twelve months after the date of the creation of such debt) an amount not less than the greater of



•

the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal Property leased pursuant to the arrangement, or



•

the fair market value of the Principal Property so leased.

        The restriction on sale and lease-back transactions does not apply to the following:

•

a sale and lease-back transaction between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, or that involves the taking back of a lease for a period of less than three years;



•

if, at the time of the sale and lease-back transaction, after giving effect to the transaction, the total discounted net amount of rent required to be paid during the remaining term of any lease relating to sale and lease-back transactions (other than transactions permitted by the previous bullet point) plus all outstanding secured debt (excluding Permitted Liens) does not exceed 10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1008)

Subordination Provisions

        Contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on subordinated debt securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture or any supplement thereto to all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities we have issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordinated indenture defines the term "senior indebtedness" with respect to each respective series of subordinated debt securities, to mean the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all indebtedness and obligations of, or guaranteed or assumed by Bemis, whether outstanding on the date of the issuance of subordinated debt securities or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed and all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, deferrals and refundings of any such indebtedness unless the instrument creating such indebtedness or obligations provides that they are subordinated or are not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, senior indebtedness will not include (A) any obligation of Bemis to any of its subsidiaries, (B) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by Bemis or its subsidiaries, (C) any accounts payable

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or other liability to trade creditors (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), or (D) any obligations with respect to any capital stock of Bemis.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Bemis may not pay principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any subordinated debt securities or defease, purchase, redeem or otherwise retire such securities if:

•

a default in the payment of any principal, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior indebtedness, occurs and is continuing or any other amount owing in respect of any senior indebtedness is not paid when due; or



•

any other default occurs with respect to any senior indebtedness and the maturity of such senior indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms,

unless and until such default in payment or event of default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration is rescinded or such senior indebtedness has been paid in full in cash.

        If there is any payment or distribution of the assets of Bemis to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding, holders of all present and future senior indebtedness (which will include interest accruing after, or which would accrue but for, the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding) are entitled to receive payment in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, in respect of the subordinated indebtedness. In addition, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any such event, payments or distributions which would otherwise be made on subordinated debt securities will generally be paid to the holders of senior indebtedness, or their representatives, in accordance with the priorities existing among these creditors at that time until the senior indebtedness is paid in full.

        After payment in full of all present and future senior indebtedness, holders of subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of any holders of senior indebtedness to receive any further payments or distributions that are applicable to the senior indebtedness until all the subordinated debt securities are paid in full. The subordinated debt indenture provides that the foregoing subordination provisions may not be changed in a manner which would be adverse to the holders of senior indebtedness without the consent of the holders of such senior indebtedness.

        The prospectus supplement delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities will set forth a more detailed description of the subordination provisions applicable to any such debt securities.

        If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior indebtedness.

        Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior indebtedness have been fully satisfied.

Defeasance

        The indentures permit us to be discharged from our obligations under the respective indentures and United States of America dollar-denominated debt securities if we comply with the following procedures. This discharge from our obligations is referred to in this prospectus as defeasance. (Section 403)

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        Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, if we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash and/or U.S. government securities to pay and discharge the principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, to the date of maturity of that series of debt securities, then from and after the ninety-first day following such deposit:

•

we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series, and



•

our obligations under the indentures with respect to the debt securities of that series will cease to be in effect. (Section 403)

        Following defeasance, holders of the applicable debt securities would be able to look only to the defeasance trust for payment of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on their debt securities.

        Defeasance may be treated as a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the related debt securities for obligations of the trust or a direct interest in the money or U.S. government securities held in the trust. In that case, holders of debt securities would recognize taxable gain or loss as if the trust obligations or the money or U.S. government securities held in the trust, as the case may be, had actually been received by the holders in exchange for their debt securities. Holders thereafter might be required to include as income a different amount of income than in the absence of defeasance. We urge prospective investors to consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences of defeasance.

Events of Default

        The indentures provide holders of debt securities with remedies if we fail to perform specific obligations, such as making payments on the debt securities. You should review these provisions carefully in order to understand what constitutes an event of default under the indenture.

        Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities under the indentures includes:

•

a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series at its maturity;



•

a default in making a sinking fund payment, if any, on any debt security of such series when due and payable;



•

a default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of such series;



•

a default for 60 days after written notice in the observance or performance of any other covenant in the respective indenture;



•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee for us or our property; or



•

any other event of default provided in or pursuant to the applicable resolution of our Board of Directors or supplemental indenture under which such series of debt securities is issued. (Section 501)

        The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default with respect to such series, except in the payment of principal, premium or interest or in the payment of any sinking fund installment or analogous obligation, if it considers such withholding of notice in the interest of such holders. (Section 602)

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        If an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare the principal of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration. (Section 502)

        The indentures contain a provision entitling the trustee to be indemnified by the holders before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the respective indenture at the request of any such holders. (Section 603) The indentures provide that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series. (Section 512) The right of a holder to institute a proceeding with respect to the respective indenture is subject to certain conditions precedent, including notice and indemnity to the trustee. However, the holder has an absolute right to the receipt of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of any series on the respective stated maturities, as defined in the respective indenture, and to institute suit for the enforcement of these rights. (Sections 507, 508)

        The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past defaults. Each holder of a debt security affected by a default must consent to a waiver of:

•

a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt security of such series;



•

a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the respective indenture that cannot be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected. (Section 513)

        We will furnish to the trustee annual statements as to the fulfillment of our obligations under each respective indenture. (Section 704)

Our Relationship with the Trustee

        Affiliates of U.S. Bank National Association, the current trustee under the indentures, may provide banking and corporate trust services to us and extend credit to us and many of our subsidiaries worldwide. The trustee may act as a depository of our funds and hold our common shares for the benefit of its customers, including customers over whose accounts the trustee has discretionary authority. If a bank or trust company other than U.S. Bank National Association is to act as trustee for a series of senior or subordinated debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will provide information concerning that other trustee.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS WE MAY OFFER

        References to "Bemis," "us," "we" or "our" in this section mean Bemis Company, Inc., and do not include the consolidated subsidiaries of Bemis Company, Inc.

        We may issue units consisting of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

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        The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;



•

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units, any unit agreement governing the units or of the securities comprising the units; and



•

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any units. The preceding description and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the unit agreement and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to such units.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WE MAY OFFER

        In this section, references to "holders" mean those who own shares of preferred stock depositary shares discussed in the next section, registered in their own names, on the books that the registrar or we maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in shares registered in street name or in shares issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. When we refer to "you" in this section, we mean all purchasers of the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners of those securities. Owners of beneficial interests in shares of preferred stock or depositary shares should read the section below entitled "Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance."

General

        We may issue preferred stock in one or more series. We may also "reopen" a previously issued series of preferred stock and issue additional preferred stock of that series. In addition, we may issue preferred stock together with other preferred stock, debt securities and common stock in the form of units as described above under "Description of Units We May Offer." This section summarizes terms of the preferred stock that apply generally to all series. The description of most of the financial and other specific terms of your series will be in your prospectus supplement. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

        Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the preferred stock and any related depositary shares. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your series of preferred stock and any related depositary shares as described in your prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your series of preferred stock or any related depositary shares.

        Reference to a series of preferred stock means all of the shares of preferred stock issued as part of the same series under a certificate of designation, preferences and rights forming part of our restated articles of incorporation. Reference to your prospectus supplement means the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the preferred stock and any related depositary shares you purchase. The terms used in your prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.

        Our authorized capital stock includes 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. The preferred stock will be governed by Missouri law. We do not have any preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. The prospectus supplement with respect to any offered

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preferred stock will describe any preferred stock that may be outstanding as of the date of the prospectus supplement.

Preferred Stock Issued in Separate Series

        The authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock are available for issuance from time to time at the discretion of our board of directors without the need for shareholder approval. Our board of directors is authorized to divide the preferred stock into series and, with respect to each series, to determine the designations, the powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the series, including:

•

dividend rights;



•

conversion or exchange rights;



•

voting rights;



•

redemption rights and terms;



•

liquidation preferences;



•

sinking fund provisions;



•

the serial designation of the series; and



•

the number of shares constituting the series.

        In addition, as described below under "—Fractional or Multiple Shares of Preferred Stock Issued as Depositary Shares," we may, at our option, instead of offering whole individual shares of any series of preferred stock, offer fractional shares of such series. In connection with the offering of fractional shares, we may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share or some multiple of shares of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share or multiple of shares of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be stated in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock offered through depositary shares.

        The rights of holders of preferred stock may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Our board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purpose. Examples of proper corporate purposes include issuances to obtain additional financing for acquisitions and issuances to officers, directors and employees under their respective benefit plans. Our issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of discouraging or making more difficult an acquisition.

        Preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable when issued, which means that our holders will have paid their purchase price in full and that we may not ask them to surrender additional funds. Unless otherwise provided in your prospectus supplement, holders of preferred stock will not have preemptive or subscription rights to acquire more stock of Bemis.

        The transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for shares of each series of preferred stock will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

Form of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares

        We may issue preferred stock in book-entry form. Preferred stock in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the shares of preferred stock represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in shares of preferred stock will do so through participants in the depositary's system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its

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participants. However, beneficial owners of any preferred stock in book-entry form will have the right to obtain their shares in non-global form. We describe book-entry securities below under "Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance." All preferred stock will be issued in registered form.

        We will issue depositary shares in book-entry form, to the same extent as we describe above for preferred stock. All depositary shares will be issued in registered form.

Overview of Remainder of this Description

        The remainder of this description summarizes:

•

Preferred Shareholders' Rights relative to common shareholders, such as the right of preferred shareholders to receive dividends and amounts on our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up before any such amounts may be paid to our common shareholders;

•

Our ability to issue Fractional or Multiple Shares of Preferred Stock in the Form of Depositary Shares; and

•

Various provisions of the Deposit Agreement, including how distributions are made, how holders vote their depositary shares and how we may amend the Deposit Agreement.

Preferred Shareholders' Rights

Rank

        Shares of each series of preferred stock will rank senior to our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions of assets. However, we will generally be able to pay dividends and distributions of assets to holders of our preferred stock only if we have satisfied our obligations on our indebtedness then due and payable.

Dividends

        Holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors, from funds legally available for the payment of dividends. The rates and dates of payment of dividends for each series of preferred stock will be stated in your prospectus supplement. Dividends will be payable to holders of record of preferred stock as they appear on our books on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. Dividends on any series of preferred stock will be cumulative, as set forth in the prospectus supplement.

Redemption

        If specified in your prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option or the holder's, and may be redeemed mandatorily.

        Any restriction on the repurchase or redemption by us of our preferred stock while there is an arrearage in the payment of dividends will be described in your prospectus supplement.

        Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.

        Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, dividends will cease to accrue after the redemption date on shares of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of holders of these shares, including voting rights, will terminate except for the right to receive the redemption price.

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Conversion or Exchange Rights

        Our prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock that is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable will state the terms on which shares of that series are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock, another series of preferred stock or other securities or debt or equity securities of third parties.

Liquidation Preference

        Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Bemis, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in your prospectus supplement, plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on our common stock. If the liquidation amounts payable relating to the preferred stock of any series and any other parity securities ranking on a parity regarding liquidation rights are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of that series and the other parity securities will share in any distribution of our available assets on a ratable basis in proportion to the full liquidation preferences of each security. Holders of our preferred stock will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference and accrued and unpaid dividends.

Voting Rights

        The holders of preferred stock of each series will have no voting rights, except:

•

as stated in the prospectus supplement and in the certificate of designation, preferences and rights establishing the series; or



•

as required by applicable law.

Fractional or Multiple Shares of Preferred Stock Issued as Depositary Shares

        We may choose to offer fractional shares or some multiple of shares of our preferred stock, rather than whole individual shares. If we decide to do so, we may issue the preferred stock in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fraction or multiple of a share of the preferred stock and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

        We will deposit the shares of preferred stock to be represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement. The parties to the deposit agreement will be:

•

Bemis;



•

a bank or other financial institution selected by us and named in the prospectus supplement, as preferred stock depositary; and



•

the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued under that deposit agreement.

        Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including, where applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. The depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional or multiple shares of preferred stock. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

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        We will file the deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, with the SEC, either as an exhibit to an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K. See "Where You Can Find More Information" below for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The preferred stock depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders. The preferred stock depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the preferred stock depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they own.

        The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the preferred stock depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Redemption of Preferred Stock

        If we redeem preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the preferred stock depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the redemption. The preferred stock depositary will redeem the depositary shares at a price per share equal to the applicable fraction or multiple of the redemption price per share of preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing the redeemed shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the preferred stock depositary will select the depositary shares to be redeemed by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method it chooses.

        After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of those shares will cease, including voting rights, except the right to receive the amount payable and any other property to which the holders were entitled upon the redemption. To receive this amount or other property, the holders must surrender the depositary receipts evidencing their depositary shares to the preferred stock depositary. Any funds that we deposit with the preferred stock depositary for any depositary shares that the holders fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date we deposit the funds.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

        Unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, any holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock depositary, paying any taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and complying with any other requirement of the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary shares making these withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred stock, but holders of whole shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit that preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts for that preferred stock after withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of

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preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

        When the preferred stock depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the preferred stock depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by the holder's depositary shares. To the extent possible, the preferred stock depositary will vote the amount of the series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the preferred stock depositary determines are necessary to enable the preferred stock depositary to vote as instructed. If the preferred stock depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing a series of preferred stock, the preferred stock depositary will vote all shares of that series in proportion to the instructions received.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

        If our prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares says that the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock of another series or other securities, or debt or equity securities of one or more third parties, our depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any securities. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the preferred stock depositary with written instructions to instruct us to cause conversion, exercise or exchange of our preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of common stock or shares of another series of preferred stock, as applicable. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion, exercise or exchange, we will cause the conversion, exercise or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for conversion, exercise or exchange of the deposited preferred stock. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted, exercised or exchanged, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted, exercised or exchanged.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

        We may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time and from time to time by agreement with the preferred stock depositary.

        However, any amendment that imposes additional charges or materially and adversely alters any substantial existing right of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding approve the amendment. We will make no amendment that impairs the right of any holder of depositary shares, as described above under "—Withdrawal of Preferred Stock," to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary shares, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Holders who retain or acquire their depositary receipts after an amendment becomes effective will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment and will be bound by the amended deposit agreement.

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        The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

•

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted or exchanged for any other securities into which they or the underlying preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable; or



•

a final distribution in respect of our preferred stock has been made to the holders of depositary shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Bemis.

        We may terminate the deposit agreement at any time, and the preferred stock depositary will give notice of that termination to the recordholders of all outstanding depositary receipts not less than 30 days before the termination date. In that event, the preferred stock depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by those depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

        We will pay the fees, charges and expenses of our preferred stock depositary provided in the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will pay any taxes and governmental charges and any charges provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by them, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable at the election of a holder of a depositary receipt or other person, that holder or other person will be liable for those fees, charges and expenses.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by giving us notice, and we may remove or replace the preferred stock depositary at any time.

Reports to Holders

        We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the preferred stock to the preferred stock depositary, who will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares.

Limitation on Liability of the Preferred Stock Depositary

        The preferred stock depositary will not be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond our control in performing our obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of its duties under the agreement, and the preferred stock depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory and reasonable protection from expenses and liability is furnished. This is called an indemnity. The preferred stock depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and upon documents believed to be genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WE MAY OFFER

        Our authorized capital stock includes 500,000,000 shares of common stock. As of June 30, 2009, there were 99,933,360 shares of common stock outstanding.

General

        All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding, none of which are currently outstanding, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive:

•

dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends; and



•

in the event of dissolution of Bemis, to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and satisfaction of the liquidation preferences, if any, of then outstanding shares of preferred stock, as provided in our restated articles of incorporation.

        Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to a vote at a shareholders meeting, including the election of directors. Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of common stock or other securities and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the common stock. Additional authorized shares of common stock may be issued without shareholder approval. Bemis common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "BMS." The transfer agent for the common stock is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Its address is 161 North Concord Exchange, South Saint Paul, MN 55075.

Missouri Statutory Provisions

        Missouri law contains certain provisions which may have an anti-takeover effect and otherwise discourage third parties from effecting transactions with us, including control share acquisition and business combination statutes.

Business Combination Statute

        Missouri law contains a "business combination statute" which restricts certain "business combinations" between us and an "interested shareholder," or affiliates of the interested shareholder, for a period of five years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless either such transaction or the interested shareholder's acquisition of stock is approved by our board on or before the date the interested shareholder obtains such status.

        The statute provides that, after the expiration of such five-year period, business combinations are prohibited unless:

•

either such transaction or the interested shareholder's acquisition of stock is approved by our board on or before the date the interested shareholder obtains such status;



•

the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting stock, other than the stock owned by the interested shareholder, approve the business combination; or



•

the business combination satisfies certain detailed fairness and procedural requirements.

        A "business combination" for this purpose includes a merger or consolidation, some sales, leases, exchanges, pledges and similar dispositions of corporate assets or stock and any reclassifications or recapitalizations that increase the proportionate voting power of the interested shareholder. An "interested shareholder" for this purpose generally means any person who, together with his or her

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affiliates and associates, owns or controls 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation's voting stock.

        A Missouri corporation may opt out of coverage by the business combination statute by including a provision to that effect in its governing corporate documents. We have not done so.

        The business combination statute may make it more difficult for a 20% beneficial owner to effect other transactions with us and may encourage persons that seek to acquire us to negotiate with our board prior to acquiring a 20% interest. It is possible that such a provision could make it more difficult to accomplish a transaction which shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Control Share Acquisition Statute

        Missouri also has a "control share acquisition statute." This statute may limit the rights of a shareholder to vote some or all of his shares. A shareholder whose acquisition of shares results in that shareholder having voting power, when added to the shares previously held by him, to exercise or direct the exercise of more than a specified percentage of our outstanding stock (beginning at 20%), will lose the right to vote some or all of his shares in excess of such percentage unless the shareholders approve the acquisition of such shares.

        In order for the shareholders to grant approval, the acquiring shareholder must meet certain disclosure requirements specified in the statute. In addition, a majority of the outstanding voting shares, as determined before the acquisition, must approve the acquisition. Furthermore, a majority of the outstanding voting shares, as determined after the acquisition, but excluding shares held by (i) the acquiring shareholder, (ii) employee directors or (iii) officers appointed by the board of directors, must approve the acquisition. If the acquisition is approved, the statute grants certain rights to dissenting shareholders.

        Not all acquisitions of shares constitute control share acquisitions. The following acquisitions generally do not constitute control share acquisitions:

•

good faith gifts;



•

transfers in accordance with wills or the laws of descent and distribution;



•

purchases made in connection with an issuance by us;



•

purchases by any compensation or benefit plan;



•

the conversion of debt securities;



•

purchases from holders of shares representing two-thirds of our voting power; provided such holders act simultaneously;



•

satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest created in good faith;



•

mergers involving us which satisfy the other requirements of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri;



•

transactions with a person who owned a majority of our voting power within the prior year; or



•

purchases from a person who previously satisfied the requirements of the control share statute, so long as the acquiring person does not have voting power after the ownership in a different ownership range than the selling shareholder prior to the sale.

        A Missouri corporation may opt out of coverage by the control share acquisition statute by including a provision to that effect in its governing corporate documents. We have not opted out of the control share acquisition statute.

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Take-Over Bid Disclosure Statute

        Missouri's "take-over bid disclosure statute" requires that, under some circumstances, before making a tender offer that would result in the offeror acquiring control of us, the offeror must file certain disclosure materials with the Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Securities.

Supermajority Voting Requirement for Certain Business Transactions

        In addition to the business combination and control share acquisition statutes described above, Missouri law also requires us to obtain the approval of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting shares before we can undertake certain business transactions, including certain mergers or consolidations or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

Certain Charter Provisions

Business Combination Provisions in Restated Articles of Incorporation

        Certain business combinations involving Bemis and interested shareholders require the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock unless (i) a majority of the continuing directors (as defined in our restated articles of incorporation) have approved the proposed business combination, or (ii) various conditions intended to ensure the adequacy of the consideration offered by the party seeking the combination are satisfied.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

        As described above under "Description of Preferred Stock We May Offer—General—Preferred Stock Issued in Separate Series", our restated articles of incorporation permit our board of directors to issue preferred stock without the need for shareholder approval. Our board of directors is authorized to divide the preferred stock into series and, with respect to each series, to determine the designations, the powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the series. As a result, the impact of any future issuance of preferred stock on holders of our common stock cannot be known.

        Each of these provisions could delay, deter or prevent a merger, consolidation, tender offer, or other business combination or change of control involving the Company that some or a majority of our shareholders might consider to be in their best interests.

LEGAL OWNERSHIP AND BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

        In this section, we describe special considerations that will apply to securities issued in global—i.e., book-entry—form. First we describe the difference between legal ownership and indirect ownership of securities. Then we describe special provisions that apply to securities.

Who is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?

        Each debt security, unit, share of preferred or common stock in registered form will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing such securities. We refer to those who have securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee or other agent maintain for this purpose, as the "holders" of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names as indirect owners of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect owners are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect owners.

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Book-Entry Owners

        Unless otherwise noted in your prospectus supplement, we will issue each security in book-entry form only. This means securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.

        Under each indenture, unit agreement or depositary agreement, only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities and we will make all payments on the securities, including deliveries of any property other than cash, to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.

        As a result, investors will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary's book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect owners, and not holders, of the securities.

Street Name Owners

        We may terminate an existing global security or issue securities initially in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in street name. Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.

        For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities and we will make all payments on those securities, including deliveries of any property other than cash, to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customary agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect owners, not holders, of those securities.

Legal Holders

        Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee under any indenture and the obligations, if any, of any unit agents and any other third parties employed by us or any of those agents, run only to the holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect owner of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.

        For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for that payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect owners but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose—for example, to amend the indenture for a series of debt or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture—we would seek the approval only from the

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holders, and not the indirect owners, of the relevant securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect owners is up to the holders.

        When we refer to "you" in this prospectus, we mean all purchasers of the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect owners of those securities. When we refer to "your securities" in this prospectus, we mean the securities in which you will hold a direct or indirect interest.

Special Considerations for Indirect Owners

        If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:

•

how it handles securities payments and notices;



•

whether it imposes fees or charges;



•

whether and how you can instruct it to exercise any rights to exchange or convert a security for or into other property;



•

how it would handle a request for the holders' consent, if ever required;



•

how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and



•

if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary's rules and procedures will affect these matters.

What is a Global Security?

        Unless otherwise noted in the applicable pricing supplement, we will issue each security in book-entry form only. Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of one or more financial institutions or clearing systems, or their nominees, which we select. A financial institution or clearing system that we select for any security for this purpose is called the "depositary" for that security. A security will usually have only one depositary but it may have more. Each series of securities will have one or more of the following as the depositaries:

•

The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which is known as "DTC;"



•

Euroclear System, which is known as "Euroclear;"



•

Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, which is known as "Clearstream;" and



•

any other clearing system or financial institution named in the prospectus supplement.

        The depositaries named above may also be participants in one another's systems. Thus, for example, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, investors may hold beneficial interests in that security through Euroclear or Clearstream, as DTC participants. The depositary or depositaries for your securities will be named in your prospectus supplement; if none is named, the depositary will be DTC.

        A global security may represent one or any other number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same global security will have the same terms. We may, however, issue a global security that represents multiple securities of the same kind, such as debt securities, that have different terms and are issued at different times. This kind of global security is called a master global security.

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        A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under "—Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated." As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only indirect interests in a global security. Indirect interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect owner of an interest in the global security.

        If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. We describe the situations in which this can occur below under "—Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated." If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.

Special Considerations for Global Securities

        As an indirect owner, an investor's rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the depositary and those of the investor's bank, broker, financial institution or other intermediary through which it holds its interest (e.g., Euroclear or Clearstream, if DTC is the depositary), as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize this type of investor or any intermediary as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.

        If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

•

An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her own name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;



•

An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank, broker or other financial institution for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above under "—Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?";



•

An investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;



•

An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;



•

The depositary's policies will govern payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to an investor's interest in a global security, and those policies may change from time to time. We, the trustee and any unit agents will have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary's policies, actions or records of ownership interests in a global security. We, the trustee and any unit agents also do not supervise the depositary in any way;



•

The depositary may require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds and your bank, broker or other financial institution may require you to do so as well; and

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•

Financial institutions that participate in the depositary's book-entry system and through which an investor holds its interest in the global securities, directly or indirectly, may also have their own policies affecting payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities, and those policies may change from time to time. For example, if you hold an interest in a global security through Euroclear or Clearstream, when DTC is the depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, as applicable, may require those who purchase and sell interests in that security through them to use immediately available funds and comply with other policies and procedures, including deadlines for giving instructions as to transactions that are to be effected on a particular day. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the policies or actions or records of ownership interests of any of those intermediaries.

Holder's Option to Obtain a Non-Global Security; Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

        If we issue any series of securities in book-entry form but we choose to give the beneficial owners of that series the right to obtain non-global securities, any beneficial owner entitled to obtain non-global securities may do so by following the applicable procedures of the depositary, any transfer agent or registrar for that series and that owner's bank, broker or other financial institution through which that owner holds its beneficial interest in the securities. If you are entitled to request a non-global certificate and wish to do so, you will need to allow sufficient lead time to enable us or our agent to prepare the requested certificate.

        In addition, in a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form representing the securities it represented. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks, brokers or other financial institutions, to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above under "—Who Is the Legal Owner of a Registered Security?"

        The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

•

if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 60 days;



•

if we notify the trustee or unit agent, as applicable, that we wish to terminate that global security; or



•

in the case of a global security representing debt securities issued under an indenture, if an event of default has occurred with regard to these debt securities and has not been cured or waived.

        If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we, the trustee for any debt securities or the unit agent for any units, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those securities.

Considerations Relating to DTC

        DTC has informed us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the

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Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that DTC participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among DTC participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in DTC participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations, and may include other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and DTC participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org.

        Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through DTC participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC's records. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners.

        Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities are being redeemed, DTC will determine the amount of the interest of each direct participant to be redeemed in accordance with its then current procedures.

        In instances in which a vote is required, neither DTC nor its nominee, Cede & Co. (or any other DTC nominee), will itself consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would mail an omnibus proxy to the relevant trustee as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

        Distribution payments on the securities will be made by the relevant trustee to DTC or its nominee. We understand that DTC's usual practice is to credit direct participants' account upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information, on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants and not of DTC, the relevant trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the relevant trustee, and disbursements of such payments to the beneficial owners are the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

        The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be accurate, but we assume no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. We do not have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

Considerations Relating to Euroclear and Clearstream

        Euroclear and Clearstream are securities clearance systems in Europe. Both systems clear and settle securities transactions between their participants through electronic, book-entry delivery of securities against payment.

        Euroclear and Clearstream may be depositaries for a global security. In addition, if DTC is the depositary for a global security, Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global security as participants in DTC.

        As long as any global security is held by Euroclear or Clearstream, as depositary, you may hold an interest in the global security only through an organization that participates, directly or indirectly, in Euroclear or Clearstream. If Euroclear or Clearstream is the depositary for a global security and there

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is no depositary in the United States, you will not be able to hold interests in that global security through any securities clearance system in the United States.

        Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the securities made through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. We have no control over those systems or their participants and we take no responsibility for their activities, Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and participants in DTC, on the other hand, when DTC is the depositary, would also be subject to DTC's rules and procedures.

Special Timing Considerations Relating to Transactions in Euroclear and Clearstream

        Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other financial institutions are open for business in the United States.

        In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchases or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than would be the case for transactions within one clearing system.

CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO SECURITIES ISSUED IN BEARER FORM

        If we issue securities in bearer, rather than registered, form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe all of the special terms and provisions of debt securities in bearer form and will address the special U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of such debt securities (including any requirements and restrictions imposed by United States federal tax laws), and the extent to which those special terms and provisions are different from the terms and provisions which are described in this prospectus, which generally apply to debt securities in registered form, and will summarize provisions of the applicable indenture (or supplemental indenture) that relate specifically to bearer debt securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Initial Offering and Sale of Securities

        We may sell securities:

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to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters;



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through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and sell to the public;



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through dealers or agents; and



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to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid transactions.

        In addition, selling security holders may sell securities under this prospectus in any of the ways listed above.

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        Any underwriter, agent or dealer involved in the offer and sale of any series of the securities will be named in the prospectus supplement. One or more of our subsidiaries may act as an underwriter or agent.

        The prospectus supplement for each series of securities will describe:

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the terms of the offering of these securities, including the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters;



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the public offering or purchase price;



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any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters and all other items constituting underwriting compensation;



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any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers; and



•

other specific terms of the particular offering or sale.

        Only the agents or underwriters named in a prospectus supplement are agents or underwriters in connection with the securities being offered by that prospectus supplement.

        Underwriters, agents and dealers may be entitled, under agreements with us and/or our subsidiaries, to indemnification against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or to contribution by us and/or our subsidiaries with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make with respect to such liabilities.

        If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale are obliged to purchase all of those particular securities if any are purchased. This obligation is subject to certain conditions and may be modified in the prospectus supplement.

        If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities.

        Underwriters, dealers or agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Matters Relating to Initial Offering and Market-Making Resales

        Each series of securities will be a new issue, and there will be no established trading market for any security prior to its original issue date. We may not list a particular series of securities on a securities exchange or quotation system. Any underwriters to whom we sell securities for public offering may make a market in those securities. However, no such underwriter that makes a market is obligated to do so, and any of them may stop doing so at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or trading market for any of the securities.

        During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered

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securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

        Unless otherwise indicated in your prospectus supplement or confirmation of sale, the purchase price of the securities will be required to be paid in immediately available funds in New York City.

        In this prospectus, the term "this offering" means the initial offering of the securities made in connection with their original issuance. This term does not refer to any subsequent resales of securities in market-making transactions.

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

        The validity of the securities will be passed upon: (i) for us by James J. Seifert, Esq., our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; and (ii) for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in your prospectus supplement. Mr. Seifert owns, or has the right to acquire, 147,935 shares of our common stock.

EXPERTS

        The audited consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 20, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The audited historical combined financial statements of the Alcan Packaging Food Americas business of Rio Tinto and the audited historical combined financial statements of Alcan Packaging—Food Americas, a component of Alcan Inc., included in Bemis Company, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 20, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at l-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto are also available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You can also access our SEC filings through our website at www.bemis.com. Except as expressly set forth below, we are not incorporating by reference the contents of the SEC website or our website into this prospectus.

        The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus.

        Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This means that you must look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus or in any documents previously incorporated by

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reference have been modified or superseded. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents:

        (a)   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 ("2008 10-K"), filed on February 27, 2009 (including our 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders and our 2009 Proxy Statement to the extent incorporated by reference therein).

        (b)   Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 11, 2009.

        (c)   Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on July 9, 2009 and July 20, 2009.

        (d)   All documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, before the termination of this offering.

        Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K.

        You may request a copy of these filings and any exhibit incorporated by reference in these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or number:

Bemis Company, Inc.
One Neenah Center, 4^th Floor
P.O. Box 669
Neenah, Wisconsin 54947
(920) 727-4100
Attention: Secretary

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Bemis Company, Inc.

7,500,000 Shares

Common Stock

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

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July 20, 2009

              

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