EXHIBIT 99.1


News
For Immediate Release                                 SILGAN HOLDINGS INC.
                                                      4 Landmark Square
                                                      Suite 400
                                                      Stamford, CT  06901

                                                      Telephone: (203) 975-7110
                                                      Fax:       (203) 975-7902


                                                          Contact:
                                                          Anthony J. Allott
                                                          (203) 406-3160



               SILGAN HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES A PLANT CLOSING; REVISES
                   OUTLOOK FOR RELATED RATIONALIZATION CHARGES



STAMFORD,  CT,  August 13,  2003 -- Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  (Nasdaq:SLGN)  today
announced  the  closing  of  its  plastic  convenience  end  plant  in  Norwalk,
Connecticut.  This  action was  precipitated  by a mutual  determination  by the
Company and the location's primary customer that a long-term product development
effort should be discontinued  due to difficult  economics both in manufacturing
the product and, more recently, in the customer's  operation.  The customer will
be shifting to an existing  alternative end product supplied from another Silgan
location.  This action will be  accretive to earnings  starting in 2004,  as the
Company will be able to  eliminate  the higher  production  costs in Norwalk and
absorb  the  alternative  demand  with  existing  capacity.  As a result of this
decision, the Company will record a non-cash write-down in the carrying value of
assets of approximately $5.2 million in the third quarter of 2003. Additionally,
cash severance and related plant exit costs of  approximately  $1.5 million will
be recognized primarily during the third quarter.

As a direct result of the asset write-down and rationalization charge associated
with this closing,  the Company is adjusting its estimates for the third quarter
and full  year of 2003 by $0.23 per  share,  to a range of $1.32 to $1.52 in the
third quarter and $2.62 to $2.92 for the year.

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SILGAN HOLDINGS
August 13, 2003
Page 2


Silgan  Holdings is a leading  North  American  manufacturer  of consumer  goods
packaging  products  with annual  sales of  approximately  $2.0 billion in 2002.
Silgan operates 68 manufacturing  facilities in the U.S.,  Canada and Mexico. In
North  America,  Silgan is the  largest  supplier of metal  containers  for food
products and a leading supplier of plastic containers for personal care products
and of metal and plastic closures for food and beverage products.

Statements  included in this press  release which are not  historical  facts are
forward looking  statements  made pursuant to the safe harbor  provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.  Such  forward  looking  statements  are made based  upon  management's
expectations  and beliefs  concerning  future  events  impacting the Company and
therefore  involve a number  of  uncertainties  and  risks,  including,  but not
limited to, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2002
and other filings with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Therefore,  the
actual results of operations or financial  condition of the Company could differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such forward looking statements.


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