CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2002 (Press Release) - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation today announced its tentative decision to discontinue operations at its Jackson, MS, corrugated container plant. Operations will be consolidated with other Smurfit-Stone facilities in the region. The decision to discontinue operations was made after long and careful review of the plant's operations. Numerous factors were taken into consideration, including near- and long-term capital requirements, operating margins, cash flow and strategic fit. A total of 94 hourly and 21 salaried employees will be affected. The plant's final day of production is tentatively scheduled for April 15, 2002. Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is the premier manufacturer of paper- and paperboard-based packaging. Smurfit-Stone holds industry-leading positions in the production of containerboard (including white-top and recycled medium), corrugated containers, industrial bags, and clay-coated recycled boxboard; and is the world's largest paper recycler. In addition, Smurfit-Stone is a leading producer of folding cartons, solid bleached sulfate, paper tubes and cores, and labels. The company operates more than 300 facilities worldwide and employs approximately 40,000 people.