Paper

WestRock completes acquisitions

WestRock, Norcross, Georgia, has acquired Multi Packaging Solutions International Ltd. (MPS) and certain operations of U.S. Corrugated Holdings Inc.

Based in New York, MPS prints, manufactures and sells paperboard, paper and plastic packaging products in North America, Europe and Asia.

WestRock refinanced MPS debt as part of the transaction.

“I am excited about our acquisition of MPS, which is an important step in the continuing development of WestRock,” says Steve Voorhees, WestRock CEO. “MPS is a leader in the value-added packaging sector, and the addition of MPS to WestRock strengthens our differentiated portfolio of paper and packaging solutions.”

WestRock acquired five corrugated converting facilities from U.S. Corrugated, a large independent manufacturer of corrugated products for packaging and displays, with headquarters in Washington, Pennsylvania.

The five facilities are in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Louisiana, through which the company provides a comprehensive suite of products and services to customers in a variety of end markets, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics.

The five facilities will operate as part of WestRock’s Corrugated Packaging segment. WestRock says it intends to integrate 105,000 tons of containerboard converted annually by the acquired facilities and another 50,000 tons under a long-term contract with a newly created company formed from the remaining assets of U.S. Corrugated. The company adds that the transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings in year one.