USA – American corrugated packaging company WestRock has broken ground on a new 410,000ft² corrugated box plant in Longview, Washington.
Located on 23.5 acres, the plant is being built by Clayco, a full-service, turnkey real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firm.
The facility, situated outside of the Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area, represents the first collaboration between Clayco and WestRock.
The new plant, which is being developed by JB2 Partners and owned by an investment fund managed by ElmTree Funds, will feature WestRock’s corrugated manufacturing operations.
The new plant will serve all industry segments and markets in the Pacific Northwest. When completed, this new plant will replace the company’s existing corrugated operations in Longview.
According to WestRock, production is expected to start in the fall of this year and will create 40 new jobs.
Clayco Industrial Business Unit president Anthony Johnson said: “At Clayco, we take pride in our responsibility to help clients bring goods closer to consumers and their communities faster and more efficiently.
“Along these lines, we are excited that ElmTree Funds engaged Clayco and JB2 to help WestRock promote safety and quality and accelerate speed to market.”
Westrock hired Clayco to serve as the general contractor and JB2 Partners as the developer to expand and consolidate the mill operations in Longview.
WestRock chief executive officer David Sewell said: “This new packaging plant will enable our team in the region to serve customers even better in the future, with a manufacturing facility that will provide new capabilities and efficiencies.
“We are pleased to invest in a local community that is vibrant and growing.”
The plant is co-located with the Longview paper mill operations and will increase the integration of the mill’s containerboard.
In December last year, Westrock completed the acquisition of the remaining interest in Mexico-based Grupo Gondi for US$970 million plus the assumption of debt.
The acquisition of the Grupo Gondi involves four paper mills, nine corrugated packaging facilities, and six high-graphic facilities throughout Mexico. These facilities provide sustainable packaging for a variety of regional end markets.
The deal will also boost the company’s position in the expanding Latin American containerboard, paperboard and consumer and corrugated packaging markets.
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