Lanett, AL, May 1, 2018 – The Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA) announced that WestRock Co. plans an investment in its manufacturing operation in Lanett that will increase the facility’s competitiveness and position the area for job growth.
Atlanta-based WestRock, a provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, will expand its Chambers County operation to accommodate an increase in business, as well as prepare the plant for future growth with the addition of at least 50 jobs.
According to WestRock, the Lanett expansion project will include a building expansion, new shipping docks, additional office space, new equipment and other upgrades.
“WestRock is a proud member of the Chambers County community, and we appreciate the support of the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Chambers County Development Authority as we increase the scope of our operations in Lanett,” said Pete Durette, president of WestRock’s Enterprise Solutions. “We look forward to continuing to contribute to Lanett and Chambers County.”
Employment at the WestRock Lanett plant has grown from 20 workers in 1996 to approximately 300 full-time employees today.
In a related development, the CCDA announced a 375,000-square-foot distribution center to support WestRock’s plant in Lanett is planned for a 30-acre site in the Valley Industrial Park. Scannell Properties is developing the distribution center, which is expected to create additional jobs in the area and which will be located 1.5 miles from the WestRock facility.
Neil Taylor, general manager for the Lanett WestRock plant said the distribution center Scannell will be building will be a world-class facility.
Centrally located in the fast-growing Southeast region of the United States, Chambers County includes the cities of LaFayette, Lanett and Valley. The area is located on Interstate 85, convenient to three major urban centers: Atlanta (86 miles northeast), Birmingham (134 miles northwest) and Montgomery (79 miles southwest).
WestRock has 45,000 employees supporting customers around the world from more than 300 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.