Smurfit Westrock has initiated a consultation process to restructure its manufacturing facility in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, a move that will eliminate approximately 55 positions according to union estimates. The company, which operates a separate site in Dublin, characterises the restructuring as part of a broader modernisation strategy spanning the next 18 months designed to strengthen operations and secure long-term viability.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite the Union, rejected the company's rationale for the cuts.
"There is absolutely no justification for these jobs cuts,"she stated. Unite representatives contend that the 55 redundancies represent roughly one-third of the Lurgan workforce, making this a significant blow to the local manufacturing sector.
The Lurgan operation, located at 35 Annesborough Road in Craigavon, Co. Armagh, specialises in manufacturing corrugated packaging solutions for industries including food, beverage and cosmetics. The company reduced its global headcount by more than 3,000 during 2025 while continuing to invest in operational efficiency, indicating a wider pattern of workforce restructuring across the organisation's international operations.
Why is this affecting the Lurgan site?
Eddie Fellows, chief executive of Smurfit Westrock Ireland and UK, framed the restructuring as essential for achieving a resilient and sustainable future for the business and its customers. The company has not provided specific details about which operations will be affected or how the modernisation investment will be deployed at the facility.
This restructuring reflects broader changes within the packaging group. Smurfit Westrock recently closed its SSK paper mill in Birmingham and redistributed production across its European mill network, demonstrating a strategic shift in how the company manages its manufacturing footprint across the region.
What do union representatives say about the job losses?
Unite officials have expressed alarm that the restructuring could signal the beginning of a complete site closure. Sean McKeever, the union's regional officer, emphasised the human cost of the decision.
"Our members are hugely concerned that this is the first step to shutting the site,"he said, adding that workers
"face losing their livelihoods."
The union has characterised the announcement as the latest in a series of manufacturing setbacks for the Lurgan area. In recent years, the region has experienced large-scale redundancies at Glen Dimplex and at Associated Press in Portadown, compounding concerns about the erosion of the local industrial base.
What happens next?
Smurfit Westrock has indicated that the restructuring process is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The consultation period will determine the final scope of the redundancies and the timeline for implementation. The company operates as a major international player with approximately 97,000 employees across 40 countries, providing context for how individual site decisions fit within broader corporate strategy.
Key Facts:
- Approximately 55 job losses are planned at the Lurgan facility, representing roughly one-third of the site's workforce
- The restructuring is scheduled for completion by the end of the year as part of an 18-month modernisation programme
- Smurfit Westrock reduced global headcount by more than 3,000 in 2025 while investing in operational efficiency
- The Lurgan site manufactures corrugated packaging for food, beverage and cosmetics industries
- Unite the Union has raised concerns that restructuring could be a precursor to complete site closure
