Smurfit Westrock to Close Chelmsford Site, Affecting 74 Employees

Smurfit Westrock has begun a consultation process to close its manufacturing facility in Chelmsford, a move that is expected to impact approximately 74 employees.

The site, located at Widford Industrial Estate, produces corrugated sheet board supplied to customers across the UK, serving sectors including food, drink and cosmetics. The company plans to relocate the business to another location as part of the proposed changes.

Smurfit Westrock said the decision is aimed at ensuring a long-term commitment to customers while maintaining a focus on service, quality and innovation. The closure comes despite a £5.5 million investment made at the site in 2023, when the company described the Chelmsford operation as an “award-winning” facility with strong performance in printed packaging.

Eddie Fellows, CEO of Smurfit Westrock Ireland & UK, acknowledged the impact on employees, stating: “I would like to personally recognise the tremendous commitment and support of our colleagues in Chelmsford, who have built strong reputations with customers through many years of dedicated service. The proposed changes are focused on securing a resilient and sustainable future for the business and our customers. We recognise how difficult this will be for our loyal teams and will actively support them during this period.”

The company was recently named “Supplier of the Year” by Haleon and is scheduled to announce its first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. Smurfit Westrock operates more than 500 sites globally, including in the UK, the United States, New Zealand and Italy.