CAPE Systems, a global leader in palletizing and package design software, today announced that it has been selected as the single-source vendor of palletizing software for Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NASDAQ: SSCC). Smurfit-Stone is the packaging industry's leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging.

" It is a great honor to be selected as a single-source vendor by Smurfit-Stone, a well-recognized innovator and leading-edge provider in the packaging industry," says Brad Leonard, Vice President Group Sales at CAPE Systems.

"The synergies between our two companies are enormous," Leonard says. "Smurfit-Stone sets the standard for innovation in packaging while CAPE Systems leads the way in packaging software. By working in partnership, we can assist Smurfit-Stone in designing efficient, flexible and customized package and pallet configurations. How you design primary, secondary and tertiary packages can make a huge difference to the bottom line."

Thomas Ciecorka, National Design Manager at Smurfit-Stone, says that CAPE Systems was selected as the single-source vendor of palletizing software after a year of evaluating CAPE, its software, and the competition. "This evaluation included service, price, training, ability to adapt to the changing market, and excellent responsiveness in building ease-of-use," Ciecorka says.

Through its CAPE PACK(R) pallet loading and package design program, CAPE Systems' software and solutions assist customers in creating new packages, case sizes and pallet patterns that optimize the use of materials and storage space as well as trailer and container loading. Customized pallet configurations for retail shelf replenishment and in-store displays also can be created for specific customers, a crucial value-added service that provides manufacturers with an important competitive edge.

In today's highly competitive marketplace, more and more manufacturers are turning to sophisticated software programs to drive non-value-added costs out of the supply chain. Such software solutions optimize product size and design, make more efficient use of materials, improve packaging arrangements within cases, and increase the number of cases per pallet. Designing better packaging and more efficient pallet loads is the proven, most cost-effective way to reduce storage and shipping costs.

About CAPE Systems

Founded 35 years ago, CAPE Systems, headquartered in London, U.K., and Dallas, Texas, is the only global company in the palletizing and package design software field. Its programs optimize pallet patterns, create new case sizes and product packaging, build display pallets, develop efficient bundles of corrugated flat packs, test the strength of corrugated board, and much more. CAPE Systems' customers include companies both large and small in the packaging, food, beverage, consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries. For more information: www.capesystems.com

About Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation

A Fortune 500 company, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is the industry's leading manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging. It is a leading producer of containerboard, corrugated containers, point-of-purchase displays, multi-wall and specialty bags, and clay-coated recycled boxboard. Smurfit-Stone also is North America's largest collector and marketer of recovered fiber. It is a major manufacturer of solid bleached sulfate, folding cartons, flexible packaging and labels. The company has 35,000 employees, and operates approximately 250 facilities, primarily in the United States, Canada and Mexico.