RICHMOND, Va. -- MeadWestvaco Corporation today announced that it will close its Wilmington, N.C., beverage packaging plant by August 2009. The closure is part of the company's accelerated strategic cost management program, announced January 15, 2009, to optimize its manufacturing footprint and strengthen its mix of value-added products and solutions for MWV's key global markets.

Key equipment from the Wilmington facility will be relocated to MWV's Lanett, Ala., beverage packaging plant, and production will be transitioned to other MWV Beverage packaging plants. The company's capacity to supply the Beverage market will not be affected.

The closure will impact approximately 105 hourly and salaried employees, who will be eligible for separation benefits in accordance with company policy.