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Bemis Announces 13 Percent Cash Dividend Increase

MINNEAPOLIS, February 3, 2005 - Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE: BMS) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a 13 percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend, increasing it to 18 cents per share compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 16 cent per share. The cash dividend is payable on March 1, 2005, to shareholders of record on at the close of business on February 16, 2005.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Company has increased its dividend payment.  Bemis has been paying an annual dividend on its stock since 1922.

"This healthy dividend increase reflects the confidence of our Board of Directors in our ability to generate strong cash flow that supports a 35 to 45 percent dividend payout ratio in addition to funding the current and future growth initiatives of Bemis' operations," said Jeff Curler, Bemis Company President and Chief Executive Officer.  "We appreciate that our dividend program is an important part of our shareholders' total return on their investment in Bemis Company."

Bemis Company is a major supplier of flexible packaging and pressure sensitive materials used by leading food, consumer products, manufacturing, and other companies worldwide.  Founded in 1858, the Company reported 2004 sales of $2.8 billion, of which $2.2 billion was from the flexible packaging business segment and $0.6 billion was from the pressure sensitive materials business segment.  More than 75 percent of the Company's sales are packaging related.  The primary market for Bemis' products is the food industry, which accounts for over 65 percent of sales.  Other markets include consumer goods, medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, agribusiness, printing and graphic arts, and a variety of other industrial end uses.  Bemis holds a strong position in many of the markets it serves and actively seeks new market segments where its technical skill and other capabilities provide a competitive advantage. Bemis' leadership position in the flexible packaging industry rests on a strong technical foundation in polymer chemistry, film extrusion, coating and laminating, printing and converting. Bemis' pressure sensitive materials business specializes in adhesive technologies.  Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bemis employs about 15,500 individuals in 62 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries around the world.  More information about the company is available at our website, www.bemis.com.

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Statements in this release that are not historical, including statements relating to the strength of future cash flows and future performance of the company, are considered "forward-looking" and are presented pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such content is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including regional economic conditions, currency fluctuations, interest rate fluctuations, raw material costs and availability, consumer trends, and the competitive conditions.  Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those projected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors which are detailed in the Company's regular SEC filings including the most recently filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.