Key Stats
Founded: July 2015 (merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn)
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA (formerly Sandy Springs)
Final CEO: David B. Sewell (2021-2024)
Final Employees: ~50,000
Peak Revenue: $21.3 billion (FY 2022)
Status: Merged with Smurfit Kappa to form Smurfit WestRock (July 2024)
WestRock Company was an American paper and packaging company formed in July 2015 through the merger of MeadWestvaco Corporation and RockTenn Company. Prior to its combination with Smurfit Kappa in July 2024, WestRock was the second-largest packaging company in the United States and one of the largest in the world, with operations spanning more than 300 locations across 30 countries.
The company produced a comprehensive range of sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions, including corrugated containers, folding cartons, paperboard, containerboard, kraft paper, and specialty printing and packaging. WestRock served diverse markets from food and beverage to healthcare, personal care, and industrial applications. Its integrated business model combined manufacturing capabilities with design and automation services.
In September 2023, WestRock announced an agreement to merge with Dublin-based Smurfit Kappa Group. The transaction closed on July 5, 2024, creating Smurfit WestRock—one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies with combined revenues exceeding $32 billion, more than 100,000 employees, and operations across 40 countries. Former Smurfit Kappa CEO Tony Smurfit leads the combined company, which trades on the NYSE under the ticker “SW.”
WestRock History
1846-1898
Predecessor Companies Founded
The roots of WestRock extend back to 1846, when Ellis, Chaflin & Co. was founded (later becoming Mead Corporation). Rock City Box Company of Nashville was founded in 1898, and Tennessee Paper Mills was incorporated in 1917. Piedmont Pulp & Paper Co., predecessor to Westvaco, was established in 1888.
1973
RockTenn Formed
Rock City Packaging, Inc. and Tennessee Paper Mills Inc. merge to form RockTenn Company, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia. The company becomes a major producer of corrugated containers and paperboard.
2002
MeadWestvaco Formed
Mead Corporation merges with Westvaco to create MeadWestvaco Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The combined company becomes a major player in consumer and industrial packaging.
July 2015
WestRock Created
MeadWestvaco and RockTenn complete their merger to form WestRock Company, creating one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies with $15 billion in annual revenue and 42,000 employees. MeadWestvaco shareholders receive 0.78 shares of the combined company.
2016-2018
Aggressive Acquisition Strategy
WestRock acquires SP Fiber Holdings (2015), Cenveo Packaging ($105 million, 2016), Star Pizza Box (2017), Multi Packaging Solutions ($2.28 billion, 2017), Plymouth Packaging (2018), and KapStone Paper and Packaging (2018).
March 2021
CEO Succession
David B. Sewell becomes President and CEO, succeeding Steven C. Voorhees who steps down for health reasons. Sewell previously served as President and COO at The Sherwin-Williams Company.
September 2023
Smurfit Kappa Merger Announced
WestRock and Dublin-based Smurfit Kappa announce agreement to merge and create Smurfit WestRock. The deal values WestRock at approximately $11.2 billion, with Smurfit Kappa shareholders receiving 50.4% of the combined company.
July 5, 2024
Smurfit WestRock Created
The merger closes, creating Smurfit WestRock with combined revenues exceeding $32 billion, 100,000+ employees, 500+ sites, and 63 paper mills across 40 countries. Tony Smurfit becomes CEO. WestRock stockholders receive one Smurfit WestRock share plus $5 in cash per share.
Predecessor Companies
WestRock was formed from the merger of two major packaging companies, each with deep roots in the American paper industry.
MeadWestvaco Corporation
MeadWestvaco was formed in 2002 through the merger of Mead Corporation and Westvaco, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Mead Corporation traced its origins to 1846 when Ellis, Chaflin & Co. was founded. The company was renamed Weston & Mead in 1856, Mead & Weston in 1861, and The Mead Paper Company in 1881. In 1930, the various Mead companies were united under the Mead Corporation umbrella. Westvaco descended from Piedmont Pulp & Paper Co., founded in 1888. MeadWestvaco became a major producer of consumer packaging, specialty chemicals, and coated paperboard before merging with RockTenn to form WestRock in 2015.
RockTenn Company
RockTenn was formed in 1973 through the merger of Rock City Packaging, Inc. and Tennessee Paper Mills Inc., headquartered in Norcross, Georgia. Rock City Packaging traced its origins to the Rock City Box Company of Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1898. Tennessee Paper Mills was incorporated in 1917. RockTenn grew into one of North America’s largest producers of corrugated and consumer packaging, containerboard, and recycled paperboard. Under CEO Steven C. Voorhees, RockTenn pursued the merger with MeadWestvaco that created WestRock in 2015, with Voorhees becoming the first CEO of the combined company.
Acquisitions & Growth
Following its formation in 2015, WestRock pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand its market presence and product capabilities.
- SP Fiber Holdings (October 2015) – First acquisition as WestRock, expanding fiber sourcing capabilities
- Cenveo Packaging (January 2016, $105 million) – Enhanced folding cartons and litho-laminated display packaging
- Star Pizza Box (March 2017) – One of the largest U.S. manufacturers and distributors of pizza boxes, expanding food packaging presence
- Multi Packaging Solutions International (June 2017, $2.28 billion) – Major acquisition adding 59 locations across North America, Europe, and Asia; enhanced print, graphics, and design capabilities for spirits, confectionery, and cosmetics packaging
- Plymouth Packaging (January 2018) – Expanded industrial packaging operations
- KapStone Paper and Packaging (November 2018) – Major pulp and paper acquisition significantly expanding containerboard and kraft paper capacity
In September 2023, WestRock sold its RTS Packaging subsidiary to Sonoco for $330 million as part of portfolio optimization ahead of the Smurfit Kappa merger.
WestRock Revenue
WestRock’s revenue grew substantially through acquisitions before moderating amid challenging market conditions. The company’s fiscal year ended September 30.
WestRock Competitors
WestRock competed with other major paper and packaging companies in the corrugated container, consumer packaging, and containerboard markets.
| Company | Headquarters | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| International Paper | Memphis, TN | Fiber-based packaging and pulp (acquiring DS Smith) |
| Packaging Corporation of America | Lake Forest, IL | Containerboard and corrugated packaging |
| Graphic Packaging | Atlanta, GA | Consumer packaging and folding cartons |
| Sonoco Products | Hartsville, SC | Consumer and industrial packaging |
| Georgia-Pacific | Atlanta, GA | Paper and packaging (Koch subsidiary) |
| Greif | Delaware, OH | Industrial packaging and containerboard |
| DS Smith | London, UK | Corrugated packaging (being acquired by IP) |
| Crown Holdings | Yardley, PA | Metal packaging |
| Amcor | Zurich, Switzerland | Flexible and rigid packaging |
| Smurfit Kappa | Dublin, Ireland | Paper-based packaging (merged with WestRock) |
FAQs
Does WestRock still exist?
WestRock as an independent company ceased to exist on July 5, 2024, when it completed its merger with Smurfit Kappa to form Smurfit WestRock. The combined company trades on the NYSE under the ticker “SW” and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with major operations in Atlanta. Smurfit Kappa shareholders own approximately 50.4% of the combined entity, with former WestRock shareholders owning 49.6%.
What happened to WestRock shareholders?
WestRock common stockholders received one share of Smurfit WestRock plus $5.00 in cash for each share of WestRock common stock they held. The last day of trading for WestRock shares on the NYSE was July 5, 2024, and Smurfit WestRock began trading on July 8, 2024.
What companies merged to form WestRock?
WestRock was formed in July 2015 through the merger of MeadWestvaco Corporation (headquartered in Richmond, Virginia) and RockTenn Company (headquartered in Norcross, Georgia). MeadWestvaco itself had been formed in 2002 from the merger of Mead Corporation and Westvaco, while RockTenn dated to a 1973 merger of Rock City Packaging and Tennessee Paper Mills.
How big was WestRock?
At its peak in fiscal 2022, WestRock generated $21.3 billion in annual revenue and employed more than 50,000 people across more than 300 locations in 30 countries. The company ranked 194th on the 2018 Fortune 500 and was the second-largest packaging company in the United States behind International Paper.
What does Smurfit WestRock do?
Smurfit WestRock produces sustainable paper-based packaging solutions, including corrugated containers, folding cartons, paperboard, containerboard, and specialty packaging. The combined company has revenues exceeding $32 billion, operates 63 paper mills and more than 500 sites across 40 countries, and employs over 100,000 people. Tony Smurfit (formerly of Smurfit Kappa) serves as CEO.
