WestRock to expand Claremont NC facility will invest a minimum of $47 million and create at least 50 jobs

 CLAREMONT, N.C. – WestRock Company, a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, plans to expand its existing manufacturing facility in Claremont.  Over the next three years, WestRock is expected to create 50 new jobs and invest a minimum of $47 million to construct and equip a 285,000 square foot expansion of the company’s existing facility.  Salaries for the new employees will vary by position, but the new positions will meet Catawba County’s average wage of $43,920.

WestRock is a global manufacturer of paper and packaging solutions with over 50,000 employees and more than 300 locations worldwide.  The facility in Claremont is part of the company’s consumer packaging business and manufactures food, foodservice and beverage packaging for some of the world’s leading brands.  

 “WestRock is proud to be part of the Claremont community, and we look forward growing our team in the area, said Patrick Kivits, president of Consumer Packaging. “This facility is an important part of WestRock’s production of sustainable, fiber-based packaging, and we are pleased to make this investment in Catawba County.” 

“We are so fortunate to have companies like WestRock that call Catawba County ‘home’ and choose to invest in their company and our community,” said Randy Isenhower, chair, Catawba County Board of Commissioners.  “The Catawba County community is focused on creating the right environment that is hospitable to both business growth and to those individuals and families that want a high quality of life.  I think with news of today’s great announcement and several other recent business expansions announced across Catawba County, we are illustrating this community has that ‘right mix.’”

“Today’s announcement is a wonderful way to celebrate WestRock’s 25^th anniversary in the City of Claremont,” said Shawn R. Brown, mayor, City of Claremont.  “In that time, WestRock has become a staple of the Claremont community, employing many Claremont residents and being a great corporate citizen.  We are excited to see what the future holds for the next 25 years, as the company’s ‘roots’ further deepen with today’s commitment of new investment and jobs.”

"Announcements like today truly take a team effort to bring to fruition,” said Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, chair of the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation and president of Catawba Valley Community College.  “Thankfully we live in a community of collaboration – where business and industry partner with education providers, local governments, and a wide array of resources – to develop solutions.  Congratulations to the team at WestRock in Claremont and all of those partners that may have helped along the way.”

WestRock plans to hire a variety of employees for the new manufacturing operation in areas of production (press operations), maintenance, quality, sales/office, and warehouse. Interested applicants can apply for immediate openings by visiting the company’s career website: https://jobs.westrock.com/.

Local incentives will be considered for the project at upcoming public hearings by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and Claremont City Council.

In addition to the City of Claremont and Catawba County, other key partners in the project include the N.C. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Catawba County EDC, Western Piedmont Council of Governments, and Matthews Construction.

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Media Contact:

Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
Nathan Huret
828-267-1564
nhuret@catawbacountync.gov