Packaging Corporation of America has announced that it will close its converting plant in Richmond, Virginia, affecting about 110 employees, with the shutdown expected to be completed by the end of June.
In a March 31 WARN filing to the state of Virginia, PCA said the facility at 2000 Richmond Highway will cease operations beginning June 1. The company indicated the closure will impact all employees at the site, although a small number may be asked to remain temporarily beyond the initial 60-day notice period to support the shutdown.
PCA said it will work with state and local officials, including the Virginia Dislocated Worker Program, to provide assistance to affected employees. The company also plans to offer transfer opportunities for workers interested in relocating to other PCA operations where positions are available.
Hourly production and maintenance employees at the Richmond plant are represented by the United Steelworkers.
A nearby satellite warehouse in North Chesterfield, Virginia, which employs six people, will remain in operation. PCA said it will continue running the facility and work with the union on staffing.
The Richmond closure follows earlier reductions at PCA’s Wallula, Washington mill, where the company announced in February it would shut down the No. 2 paper machine and related kraft pulping operations, affecting about 200 employees.
At the same time, PCA continues to invest elsewhere, including upgrades at facilities acquired from Greif last year. The company was also the first major containerboard producer to announce a 2026 price increase, with a planned $70 per ton increase effective March 1.
WestRock Services, a division of packaging company Smurfit Westrock, has also announced plans to close its corrugated plant in Wakefield, Massachusetts, resulting in 91 job losses. The cuts are expected to begin on May 18.
Robby Johnson, a spokesperson for Smurfit Westrock, wrote in an email Friday that “production at the plant will be moved to facilities within the Smurfit Westrock network.” He did not elaborate on the reasons for the closing, noting the decision was made as part of the company’s “optimization efforts.”
Some of the affected employees are represented by International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 3, or National Conference of Firemen & Oilers 32BJ SEIU, Local 3, according to the notice.
In Massachusetts, Smurfit Westrock has additional facilities in Bellingham, Springfield and Devens. Johnson confirmed that those facilities are still operational. The Wakefield facility opened in 1966.
Smurfit Westrock makes paper-based packaging products, including corrugated containers and consumer packaging. That includes cardboard boxes for wine, produce packaging, beer bottle packaging and folding cartons for food, beauty and other products.
