Smurfit Westrock to Close Massachusetts Facility, Lay Off 91 Employees

Smurfit Westrock has announced plans to permanently close its corrugated packaging facility in Wakefield, Massachusetts, resulting in the layoff of 91 employees.

According to a Massachusetts Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing submitted on March 18, the company will begin shutting down operations at its plant located at 365 Audubon Road starting May 18, 2026.

The Wakefield facility produces corrugated boxes and packaging solutions for regional customers. Following the closure, production is expected to be transferred to other Smurfit Westrock facilities.

In a statement, a company spokesperson said the move is part of ongoing “optimization efforts” aimed at improving operational efficiency across its network. However, no specific reason for the closure was disclosed.

Smurfit Westrock operates more than 500 facilities worldwide and employs over 97,000 people. The company was formed in 2024 through the merger of Smurfit Kappa Group and WestRock Company, creating one of the largest global players in the paper-based packaging sector.

The company continues to maintain a presence in Massachusetts with additional facilities in Springfield and Devens.