Trends -

The threat of self-manufacture

New Packaging materials
The packaging revolution

The Competition
Continental Group, American Can, National Can

Crowns Strategy
Stick to its core competency
Let go of the business it could not compete in.
Plants spread across the country achieve wider distribution, lower transportation costs.
Strategically located plants closer to customers than raw materials.

Recommendations
Attain wider geographical presence.
Test the waters for production using new raw materials.