Oct. 5, 2026 - Packaging Corporation of America ("PCA") on Oct. 1 sent a letter to the Mayor of Middletown, Ohio, Elizabeth Slamka, and County Commissioners notifying them of PCA's decision to close its full-line converting plant at 1824 Baltimore Street, Middletown.
The notice was provided to the Middeltown officials in compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).
The notice stated, "The reason for the business decision is that work will be consolidated into larger and more efficient operations, including a new plant that PCA recently opened within the state of Ohio."
PCA said the permanent plant closure will affect all employees at the location — estimated to be 91.
PCA noted that it reasonably believes there is sufficient work for the existing workforce and therefore plans to retain all employees for the duration of the 60-day WARN notification period.
Most employees will be released from duty on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, while a few employees may be requested to stay beyond this date, PCA added.
"This was a difficult business decision; it is in no way a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our valued employees," the company said in the notice."
PCA concluded that it will collaborate with state and local government officials to provide dislocated worker assistance to the affected employees, along with assisting any affected employees who may be interested in transferring to another PCA location with open positions.
PCA is the third largest producer of containerboard products and a leading producer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America. PCA operates ten mills and 90 corrugated products plants and related facilities.
SOURCE: PCA WARN Letter - Oct. 1, 2026
PaperAge editor's note: In August of this year, PCA opened a new 556,000-square-foot full-line converting facility in Newark, Ohio. The new plant, a $275 million investment, is about 130 miles northeast of Middletown.