Smurfit Stone has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure and re-organize.

The company operates two plants in the Pee Dee.

Officials with Smurfit Stone will only say their normal day to day operations will continue without interruption.

Smurfit Stone operates a container board division off Paper Mill Road in Florence County.

About 560 people work there.

The company also has a plant in Latta, but no word on how many people are employed at that site.

Smurfit Stone filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to seek protection from its creditors.

A news release says the company will use this process to restructure debt, which is expected to support its long-term financial growth.

Past news reports say Smurfit Stone may also consider layoffs to improve overall performance.

The company is one of the country's largest makers of cardboard boxes..

Smurfit Stone officials say the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing represents a new beginning for them and they're confident the company will emerge much stronger.

According to Smurfit Stone's website, they reported net sales of $7.4 billion in 2007 and are headquartered in Illinois and Missouri.