 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| |
| Industry | Corrugated packaging |
| Predecessor | |
| Founded | 2015; 10 years ago (2015) |
| Defunct | July 5, 2024; 8 months ago (2024-07-05) |
| Fate | Merged withSmurfit Kappa |
| Successor | Smurfit Westrock |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | David B. Sewell (CEO) |
| Revenue |  US$14.86 billion (2017)[1] |
Number of employees | c. 56,100 (September 2023) |
| Website | westrock |
WestRock was an Americancorrugated packaging company and in 2024 merged withSmurfit Kappa to becomeSmurfit Westrock. It was formed in July 2015 after the merger ofMeadWestvaco andRockTenn.[2] WestRock was the 2nd largest American packaging company. It was one of the world's largest paper and packaging companies withUS$21.3 billion in annual revenue and more than 50,000 team members in more than 300 locations in 30 countries around the world.[3][4][5] The company was headquartered inSandy Springs,Georgia, consolidating offices fromNorcross,Georgia andRichmond,Virginia.[6]
Westrock was formed in May 2015 after the merger of MeadWestvaco and Rock Tenn.[4] MeadWestvaco stockholders received 0.78 shares of the combined company. Rock-Tenn stockholders chose either one share of the combined company or a specific cash amount for each of their shares.[7]
In October 2015, WestRock purchased SP Fiber Holdings, Inc.[8] The company manufactures recycled container board as well as kraft and bag paper.[9] In January 2016, the company acquired Cenveo Packaging for $105 million which manufactures folded cartons and litho-laminated display packaging like MiraFoil, coil foil, and low migration ink systems.[10] The sale included facilities located in the United States,Canada, andDominican Republic.
In March 2017 WestRock purchased Star Pizza Box, the largest US manufacturer and distributor of pizza boxes.[11]
In April 2017, WestRock completed the sale of its dispensing systems operations for $1.025 billion toSilgan Holdings.[12]
In June 2017, the company acquired Multi Packaging Solutions International (MPS) for an enterprise value of $2.28 billion. MPS has 59 locations across North America, Europe, and Asia and will enhance Westrock's print, graphics, and design capabilities for more penetration in spirits, confectionery, beauty and cosmetics packaging.[13]
In January 2018, the company acquired Plymouth Packaging, Inc.[14] Later that month, WestRock announced that it would acquire rival pulp and paper companyKapstone. The deal closed in November of 2018.[15][16]The company ranked 194th on the 2018Fortune 500 of the largest United States corporations by revenue.[17]
In September 2023, the company was reported to be in advanced merger talks withSmurfit Kappa to combine operations and form a "combined packaging group [with] adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $5.5bn."[18]
In September 2023, it was announced WestRock had completed the sale of itssubsidiary, RTS Packaging to theHartsville, South Carolina-headquartered packaging company,Sonoco for $330 million.[19]
In September 2023, it was announced WestRock and theDublin, Ireland-headquartered corrugated packaging company, Smurfit Kappa had agreed to merge, to createSmurfit Westrock, one of the world's largest paper and packaging producers.[20]
