Maintaining operational efficiency while supporting employee satisfaction can be challenging for any organization. As a global leader in the sustainable packaging industry, Smurfit WestRock has successfully integrated advanced workforce management solutions to bolster its processes, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable workforce practices, and compliance. The complexity of managing their vast and diverse workforce is compounded by their sustainability commitments and the unique regulations and union rules of each country in which they operate.
Despite these challenges, Smurfit WestRock balances their business objectives. Cathy Jones, Senior IT HR Systems Manager, highlighted the importance of collaboration in finding sustainable workforce practices while striving for operational excellence.
“When you have a vast amount of employees and business partners that you’re working with, trying to design a new system with new structures really requires getting the feedback and listening to what people want, what are they asking for, what are they hoping for? You want to understand, what is their end goal?”
Cathy Jones | Senior IT HR Systems Manager, Smurfit WestRock
Revolutionizing Operations through Workforce Management Software
Smurfit WestRock operates over 500 production facilities worldwide, employing more than 100,000 team members. Implementing workforce software solutions allowed Smurfit WestRock to consolidate disparate timekeeping systems into a single, streamlined platform. This consolidation has not only simplified internal processes but significantly enhanced payroll efficiency. The integration of advanced workforce compliance solutions helped ensure that pay adjustments and backpay were handled with greater accuracy and speed, which is crucial in a company where a sizable portion of the workforce operates under collective bargaining agreements.
Understanding the potential hurdles of integrating a new system across hundreds of locations, WestRock adopted a phased implementation approach. Starting with pilot programs allowed the company to gauge the system’s impact and make necessary adjustments before a wider rollout.
Cathy highlights the importance of employee feedback in understanding how adjustments needed to be made, “You empower the employees by listening to their needs and giving them something that automates and makes the process easier.” This methodical approach minimized disruptions and enabled the management to maintain operational continuity, which is essential in production environments.
Localized pilot programs also facilitated a more tailored approach to addressing specific needs at individual locations, ensuring that each plant could optimize the new system to best fit their operational models and regulatory requirements.
Sustainable Practices Enhanced by Workforce Management Technologies
At WestRock, sustainability is not just about environmental impact but also about creating resilient and adaptive operational practices. By leveraging WorkForce Software’s solutions, WestRock has not only improved its payroll and timekeeping efficiency but has also significantly enhanced its ability to comply with various labor laws and union regulations proactively. This capability is particularly beneficial for a company deeply integrated into the global supply chain, where delays and inefficiencies can have amplified repercussions.
These improvements have led to better labor forecasting and resource allocation, ensuring that WestRock can maintain its commitment to sustainability by reducing waste and improving energy efficiency across its operations. Cathy explains that sustainable practices can be bolstered by workforce software solutions that can help indicate the limits of each worker. “How do I balance work and safety to make sure I’m not overworking individuals? Those are all key things that we now have technology to help us with, which in the past you didn’t, and it’s come a long way.”
Labor productivity has seen measurable gains, supporting WestRock’s broader sustainability goals by refining resource use and minimizing environmental impact. As Cathy explains, “We need to keep safety at the forefront. A lot of our businesses are operating large equipment, so you don’t want fatigue involved.”
Continuous Improvement Through Strategic Communication
One of the lessons WestRock learned through the implementation was the importance of clear and concise communication. Initially, the company faced challenges with lengthy communications that did not resonate well with on-ground employees, including those in unionized positions. By shifting to a more direct communication strategy, WestRock ensured that all employees, irrespective of their roles and locations, were on the same page about the new timekeeping and attendance technologies, fostering a better understanding and smoother transition.
This strategic communication shift not only improved implementation across diverse teams but also reinforced the company’s commitment to transparent operations and continuous improvement.
WestRock’s journey with workforce management solutions illustrates how integrating sophisticated software can transform operations and reinforce sustainability efforts in large-scale industries. The strategic phased rollout, coupled with a focus on effective communication and continuous improvement, has set a precedent for other companies looking to enhance their operational efficiency and sustainability practices.
In July 2024, WestRock announced their merger with Smurfit Kappa, creating a world-leading sustainable packaging player. WorkForce Software announced a similar change, as we were acquired by ADP to help expand our global offering and drive workforce management innovation to meet the future needs of businesses. As Smurfit WestRock continues to expand and evolve, the foundational improvements made with the help of WorkForce Software’s solutions promise to support the company’s sustainability and efficiency goals for years to come.
Watch the full video of Cathy Jones at Smurfit WestRock, as she discusses how optimizing workforce management can elevate sustainability and operational efficiency.
