Smurfit Westrock to close Oregon Corrugated plant as part of global optimization strategy

USA – Smurfit Westrock is set to shut down its corrugated products plant in Portland, Oregon, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations following its 2024 merger.

The closure, announced through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing, will result in phased layoffs affecting 72 employees starting in June.

Robby Johnson, Director of External Communications for North America, confirmed that the shutdown process will take over 60 days.

While union-represented employees may be eligible for bumping rights per the collective bargaining agreement, non-union staff will not.

Affected employees are encouraged to apply for open positions across Smurfit Westrock’s network, which includes a nearby recycling facility in Portland, a paper mill in Longview, Washington, and additional sites in the region.

Johnson noted that the closure is part of the company’s regional optimization strategy to improve operational efficiency.

Since the merger of Smurfit Kappa and Westrock in July 2024, leadership has been assessing legacy operations, particularly in the solid bleached sulfate paperboard segment, to determine which facilities should be upgraded or taken offline.

CEO Tony Smurfit previously emphasized the need to enhance or retire underperforming box plants as part of long-term growth and sustainability goals.

Colombia environment initiatives

While Smurfit Westrock scales down some North American operations, it is expanding its community impact efforts abroad.

In 2024, the company invested approximately US$3.5 million in social and environmental development projects across Colombia, benefiting over 21,800 people in over 30 municipalities.

Led by the Smurfit Westrock Colombia Foundation, founded in 1962, the company has implemented initiatives focused on early childhood development, education, income generation, and environmental management.

One of the cornerstone projects is the El Caracolí child development center in Yumbo, which provides care for over 590 vulnerable children.

More than 580 students were enrolled in the education sector at the company’s agricultural and forestry technical institute (ITAF) this year.

Located in Cajibío and El Tambo (Cauca), and Calima Darién (Valle del Cauca), the ITAF school specializes in rural education and consistently scores above the national average in Colombia’s Saber assessments.

Since its inception, over 1,500 students have graduated, with 40% securing employment in regional agricultural and industrial sectors.

Smurfit Westrock is also helping to boost local economies. In 2024, the company worked with 117 local providers and family-owned enterprises, generating approximately US$355,000 in revenue.

It also supported 17 community banks serving over 400 members. Through these banks, 263 loans were granted, unlocking about US$158,000 in potential funding for local producers and their families.

Despite its restructuring efforts elsewhere, the company continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to sustainable development and community engagement in key regions like Colombia.

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