CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 109,796	$ 60,404
Accounts receivable, net	665,402	637,738
Inventories	646,058	673,863
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	127,755	94,914
Total current assets	1,549,011	1,466,919
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements	75,108	80,153
Buildings and leasehold improvements	608,422	591,407
Machinery and equipment	1,810,353	1,866,524
Total property and equipment	2,493,883	2,538,084
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,052,994)	(997,331)
Net property and equipment	1,440,889	1,540,753
Other long-term assets:
Goodwill	1,048,469	1,013,697
Other intangible assets, net	222,475	200,116
Deferred charges and other assets	59,600	64,346
Total other long-term assets	1,330,544	1,278,159
TOTAL ASSETS	4,320,444	4,285,831
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	13,411	2,941
Short-term borrowings	1,740	6
Accounts payable	547,186	548,042
Accrued salaries and wages	95,774	103,024
Accrued income and other taxes	23,854	21,246
Total current liabilities	681,965	675,259
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,554,750	1,283,525
Deferred taxes	175,585	158,289
Other liabilities and deferred credits	326,041	241,326
Total liabilities	2,738,341	2,358,399
Commitments and contingencies
Bemis Company, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized - 500,000,000 shares Issued - 126,937,817 and 126,627,875 shares	12,694	12,663
Capital in excess of par value	532,441	568,035
Retained earnings	1,832,893	1,751,908
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(90,744)	91,117
Common stock held in treasury, 23,953,971 and 18,953,971 shares, at cost	(705,181)	(544,100)
Total Bemis Company, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,582,103	1,879,623
Noncontrolling interests		47,809
TOTAL EQUITY	1,582,103	1,927,432
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 4,320,444	$ 4,285,831