WestRock Company to Cease Operations at its Panama City, Florida Mill by June 6, 2022
WestRock to Close Panama City, Florida, Paper Mill
WestRock Company announced on Thursday (4-7-22) that it intends to permanently cease operations at its Panama City, Florida mill by June 6, 2022.
The mill produces containerboard, primarily heavyweight kraft and fluff pulp, and has a combined annual capacity of 645,000 tons. WestRock says that select grades of containerboard currently produced at the Panama City mill will be manufactured at other company facilities.
In the press release, WestRock said by closing the Panama City mill, significant capital that would be required to keep the mill competitive in the future will be deployed to improve other key assets. In addition, production of fluff pulp is not a priority in the company’s strategy to focus on higher value markets.
The mill employs approximately 450 people. Employees will receive severance and outplacement assistance in accordance with WestRock policy and labor union agreements.
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