WestRock closing Fridley, Minnesota facility, laying off 70 employees


MINNESOTA (From news reports) -- WestRock will close its Fridley plant in coming months, laying off roughly 70 employees at that location, according to Minnesota officials.

The company, which laid off 130 employees at its St. Paul facility about a year ago, notified the state's Department of Employment and Economic Development last month that it planned to begin layoffs in Fridley on Nov. 13.

Some employees at the Fridley plant are members of Local 970 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

WestRock's letter to DEED officials did not give a reason for the closure of the facility, which produces corrugated containers, according to the company's website.

The Atlanta-based firm continues to operate a coated recycled board facility in St. Paul, as well as corrugated container plants in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, and a recycling plant in Maple Grove, its website says.

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