Smurfit Westrock has just announced its medium-term Strategic Plan – its first as a combined company - outlining its intentions for the next five years. Saverio Mayer, president and CEO of Smurfit Westrock Europe MEA and APAC, details the key points of the plan in this edition of the Spotlight.
In February, I was honoured to present our medium-term Strategic Plan to the market at the New York Stock Exchange.
This was an incredible moment for Smurfit Westrock – not only because it’s the first time we have been through this process as a combined company, but also because it gave us chance to reflect on what we have achieved since July 2024 and set in stone our intentions for the next five years.
In Europe, we have a business that is well established, operating at industry leading margins and delivering record quality scores, while in Asia Pacific we continue to identify and act upon structural growth opportunities.
I am excited to work with my colleagues from across my entire region to build on these solid foundations, delivering on this plan for our customers, our shareholders, and the environment in the coming years.
Here’s why I believe we are set up for success:
Ambition based on experience
The figures set out by the new plan are ambitious, but realistic. We have previously delivered on two medium-term plans to date. This third plan doesn’t re-invent the wheel but instead builds on our comprehensive experience, retaining our focus on functional value and differentiation by prioritizing quality and service, and utilizing our Innovation tools to their full capability.
It’s this track record that allows us to invest substantially over the next five years, and expand margins based on ongoing operational improvements, commercial focus and asset optimisation.
Integration, integration, integration
We continue to deliver efficiencies and value to our customers, and central to that is our integrated business model. Since the combination, we have completed the integration of the Consumer Packaging business into the broader Smurfit Westrock system, and we – and our customers – are already reaping the benefits of this close alignment.
Moving forward, we strive to become even closer and more aligned in our processes. By continuing to share best practice, transfer knowledge, identify synergies and cross-selling opportunities, and undertake disciplined capital allocation across our extensive network, we are certain to deliver improved operating efficiency and increased returns.
The right people are our greatest strength
Every company talks about their people being their best asset. We believe that it is having the right people in the right positions that makes us what we are today and gives us the greatest opportunities moving forward.
With our unparalleled network of experienced, innovative and passionate people – including roughly 1,000 designers across Europe alone – we work alongside our customers to determine what will work in their respective local markets.
Couple this with an incredibly experienced leadership team, and we are able to leverage deep industry and market knowledge to drive disciplined execution and sustainable growth.
Progress through Innovation
Such excellent people require the right tools at their disposal to ensure they deliver the very best to our customers: the best service, the best insight, the best experience.
These include a complete suite of innovation tools, the ability to utilise AI to its full potential alongside human expertise, and 28 in-house Experience Centres across Europe. These enable rapid prototyping, data-driven insights and immersive customer experiences which accelerate speed to market, increase operational efficiency, and enhance value for customers.
Driven for success
Together, with clarity of purpose and the collective strength of our people, we are ready to turn this strategy into value. With focus, collaboration and relentless execution, I’m confident we will continue to deliver sustainable, industry‑leading success.
This content was sponsored by Smurfit Westrock.
