By Paul Ziobro

Smurfit Westrock is closing facilities and reducing production capacity, moves that will impact about 650 employees in the U.S. and Germany.

The Dublin-based packaging company on Wednesday said that it will permanently close its coated recycle board mill in St. Paul, Minn., and will also discontinue production at a containerboard mill in Forney, Texas. Those moves will cut the company's containerboard and coated recycle board capacity by more than 500,000 tons.

A specialty coating facility in Forney will not be affected.

Smurfit Westrock has also started discussions with local works councils in Germany about closing two converting facilities in the country.

Tony Smurfit, president and group chief executive officer, said the closures are based on realistic expectations of current and future capacity needs and operating costs, as well as a focus on continuing to improve its business.

"We are very grateful for the significant contributions made by the teams at these locations over the years and we will do all we can to support them throughout this process," he said.

Smurfit Westrock will provide support to impacted employees, including severance in accordance with company policy, as well as works council and labor union agreements.

Write to Paul Ziobro at paul.ziobro@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 30, 2025 17:27 ET (21:27 GMT)

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