WestRock

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Defunct American corrugated packaging company

title: "WestRock" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pulp-and-paper-companies-of-the-united-states", "companies-based-in-richmond,-virginia", "companies-formerly-listed-on-the-new-york-stock-exchange", "american-companies-established-in-2015", "manufacturing-companies-established-in-2015", "2015-establishments-in-virginia", "packaging-companies-of-the-united-states", "manufacturing-companies-based-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)", "2024-mergers-and-acquisitions", "american-subsidiaries-of-foreign-companies", "defunct-companies-based-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)", "2024-disestablishments-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)", "sandy-springs,-georgia"] description: "Defunct American corrugated packaging company" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WestRock" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Defunct American corrugated packaging company ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
nameWestRock Company
logoWestRock logo.svg
logo_size250px
typePublic
industryCorrugated packaging
traded_as
predecessor
fateMerged with Smurfit Kappa
defunct
successorSmurfit Westrock
founded
founder
hq_location_citySandy Springs, Georgia
(Atlanta mailing address)
hq_location_countryUnited States
area_served
key_peopleDavid B. Sewell (CEO)
revenue
num_employees(September 2023)
website
::

| name = WestRock Company | logo = WestRock logo.svg | logo_size = 250px | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | logo_padding = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | former_name = | type = Public | industry = Corrugated packaging | traded_as = | predecessor = | fate = Merged with Smurfit Kappa | defunct = | successor = Smurfit Westrock | founded = | founder = | hq_location = | hq_location_city = Sandy Springs, Georgia (Atlanta mailing address) | hq_location_country = United States | area_served = | key_people = David B. Sewell (CEO) | products = | brands = | services = | revenue = | num_employees = (September 2023) | website =

WestRock was an American corrugated packaging company and in 2024 merged with Smurfit Kappa to become Smurfit Westrock. It was formed in July 2015 after the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn. WestRock was the 2nd largest American packaging company. It was one of the world's largest paper and packaging companies with 21.3 billion in annual revenue and more than 50,000 team members in more than 300 locations in 30 countries around the world. The company was headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, consolidating offices from Norcross, Georgia and Richmond, Virginia.

History and acquisitions

Westrock was formed in May 2015 after the merger of MeadWestvaco and Rock Tenn. 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.

In October 2015, WestRock purchased SP Fiber Holdings, Inc. The company manufactures recycled container board as well as kraft and bag paper. 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. The sale included facilities located in the United States, Canada, and Dominican Republic.

In March 2017 WestRock purchased Star Pizza Box, the largest US manufacturer and distributor of pizza boxes.

In April 2017, WestRock completed the sale of its dispensing systems operations for $1.025 billion to Silgan Holdings.

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.

In January 2018, the company acquired Plymouth Packaging, Inc. Later that month, WestRock announced that it would acquire rival pulp and paper company Kapstone. The deal closed in November of 2018. The company ranked 194th on the 2018 Fortune 500 of the largest United States corporations by revenue.

In September 2023, the company was reported to be in advanced merger talks with Smurfit Kappa to combine operations and form a "combined packaging group [with] adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $5.5bn."

In September 2023, it was announced WestRock had completed the sale of its subsidiary, RTS Packaging to the Hartsville, South Carolina-headquartered packaging company, Sonoco for $330 million.

In September 2023, it was announced WestRock and the Dublin, Ireland-headquartered corrugated packaging company, Smurfit Kappa had agreed to merge, to create Smurfit Westrock, one of the world's largest paper and packaging producers.

References

References

  1. "WestRock | 2020 Fortune 500".
  2. (July 1, 2015). "WestRock Company Formed with Completion of Merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn".
  3. (2015-12-14). "WestRock to purchase packaging aspect of Cenveo".
  4. "WestRock".
  5. (February 8, 2023). "2023 Proxy Statement".
  6. "WestRock to Relocate Headquarters in Greater Atlanta, Ga.".
  7. McDermott, John. (May 18, 2015). "MeadWestvaco, Rock-Tenn to be called WestRock after merger".
  8. LLC, WestRock Shared Services. "WestRock Completes Acquisition of SP Fiber Holdings, Inc.". GlobeNewswire News Room.
  9. "WestRock Company has acquired SP Fiber Technologies, LLC {{!}} Deals {{!}} Oaklins United States: Mid-market M&A and financial advice globally".
  10. "WestRock acquires Cenveo Packaging for $105m". bakeryandsnacks.com.
  11. "Corrugated: WestRock acquires Star Pizza Box with five plants; LDI buys Miller Container – RISI – Objective Insight. Better Decisions.". RISI – Objective Insight. Better Decisions..
  12. (2017-04-06). "Silgan Completes Acquisition of Dispensing Systems Business".
  13. "WestRock completes acquisition of Multi Packaging Solutions International – Packaging Business Review".
  14. (2018-01-09). "WestRock (WRK) Buys Plymouth Packaging to Expand Portfolio". NASDAQ.com.
  15. (January 29, 2018). "WestRock Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire KapStone for $35 per Share". WestRock Company.
  16. "[https://s21.q4cdn.com/975972157/files/doc_news/WestRock-Completes-Acquisition-of-KapStone.pdf WestRock Completes Acquisition of KapStone]," Nov. 2, 2018. ''WestRock Shared Services, LLC.''
  17. "Fortune 500 Companies 2018". Fortune 500.
  18. Webber, Jude. (2023-09-07). "Smurfit Kappa in $20bn merger talks with WestRock". Financial Times.
  19. (2023-09-11). "Sonoco acquires remaining stake in RTS Packaging from WestRock".
  20. (12 September 2023). "Smurfit Kappa, WestRock to combine to create $20 billion packaging giant". RTÉ News.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

pulp-and-paper-companies-of-the-united-statescompanies-based-in-richmond,-virginiacompanies-formerly-listed-on-the-new-york-stock-exchangeamerican-companies-established-in-2015manufacturing-companies-established-in-20152015-establishments-in-virginiapackaging-companies-of-the-united-statesmanufacturing-companies-based-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)2024-mergers-and-acquisitionsamerican-subsidiaries-of-foreign-companiesdefunct-companies-based-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)2024-disestablishments-in-georgia-(u.s.-state)sandy-springs,-georgia