Ball Corporation, the leading global provider of sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage and personal and home care products, announced the closing of a 49:51 joint venture with Ayna.AI (Ayna), a leading strategic advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space. This strategic venture will accelerate the continued development and growth of the Aluminum Cup category.
The newly formed joint venture will be named Oasis Venture Holdings, LLC, and will consist of the Aluminum Cup business, including its commercial, supply chain and manufacturing teams and the plant in Rome, Georgia, which will serve as the venture’s new headquarters. Ayna and Ball, the minority investor, will work together to expand the Cup’s customer base while continuing to uphold the highest operational standards and a steadfast commitment to exceptional customer service. Ball has a long track record of creating successful joint ventures for financial and category growth, including the heritage glass business in the late 1980s and early 1990s and Ball Metalpack, among others.
“In 2019, Ball made a strategic decision to expand the company’s offering by adding the Aluminum Cup to our portfolio, allowing Ball to create a new category for aluminum packaging. We believe that partnering with Ayna, with its deep expertise and experience in this space, is the natural next step in our transformation as we continue to bring best-in-class innovative products to our customers. They bring proven expertise in executing joint ventures of this scale, offering essential operational know-how and strategic partnerships to ensure the success of this venture. The team has been working diligently to start up this business and position it to meet the need for more sustainable packaging choices, and we’re excited about the many opportunities ahead.”
Jay Billings, senior vice president and president of Growth Ventures at Ball Corporation.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Ball team for entrusting us as their partner in shaping the path of the Aluminum Cup. We firmly believe in the long-term potential of the Aluminum Cup to redefine the market’s approach to single-use products and recycling, all while delivering a premium experience for consumers. We see significant opportunities to strengthen connections with existing customers and suppliers, expand awareness and adoption of the Cup and enhance its value proposition across all key verticals.”
Nick Santhanam, chairman at Ayna.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the Ball team on this exciting journey. The Ball team’s exceptional work, combined with our unique engaged operator model, will drive even greater success for the Aluminum Cup, unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Gaurav Batra, chief executive officer at Ayna
Oasis Venture Holdings positions the Aluminum Cup for growth, market expansion, and continuous innovation. As experts in this space, Ayna will provide valuable operational guidance, category experience and resources to grow the business through their unique Engaged Investor Operator Model. This change will not impact current orders, and Ball remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining a continuous supply for its valued customers.
Ayna.AI
Ayna is the premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space. They have pioneered the engaged operator model to optimize performance and drive growth. Ayna actively engages in advisory and execution with their partners, aligning incentives with outcomes. Moreover, With their deep understanding of the industrials space and a wide breadth of experience, they tailor their offerings for each client, creating a bespoke experience that delivers the most value.
Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and household products customers. Additionally Ball Corporation employs 16,000 people worldwide and reported 2024 net sales of $11.80 billion, which excludes the divested aerospace business.