Feb 09, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Sonoco reported financial results for the 4Q and full-year 2011. As a result of the Company’s accounting calendar, the 4Q 2011 had six fewer days than the same period in 2010. 4Q 2011 GAAP net income attributable to Sonoco was $29.5 million compared with $34.5 million in 2010. Base earnings were $47.1 million in the 4Q 2011, compared with $60.8 million in 2010. Net sales for the 4Q were $1.13 billion, compared with $1.13 billion in the same period in 2010. Sales were flat during the quarter despite approximately $61 million in net sales from the Tegrant acquisition, which closed on November 8, 2011. In addition, sales were positively impacted by higher selling prices realized in the Paper and Industrial Converted Products and Consumer Packaging segments. These favorable factors were offset by lower volume and a negative mix of business, primarily in the Paper and Industrial Converted Products and Packaging Services segments and an approximate $16 million negative impact of foreign currency translation. The Company’s gross profit margin in the 4Q 2011 was 16.4% of sales, compared with 17.7% in the same period in 2010. The decline was primarily due to lower volume, a negative shift in the mix of business and higher labor and other costs. Net sales for 2011 increased 9% to a record $4.5 billion, compared with $4.1 billion in 2010. Net income attributable to Sonoco for 2011 was $217.5 million compared with $201.1 million in 2010. Cash generated from operations in 2011 was $245.3 million, compared with $375.1 million in 2010. Higher pension and postretirement plan contributions account for approximately $112.6 million of the year-over-year decrease, including $92.2 million in contributions to the Company’s U.S. pension plan. Capital expenditures and cash dividends were $173.4 million and $115.0 million, respectively, for 2011, compared with $145.9 million and $111.8 million, respectively, in 2010. Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services.