Rock-Tenn Co. and MeadWestvaco Corp. are combining forces to create a $16 billion packaging company.

Steven Voorhees, CEO of RockTenn, will serve as CEO and president of the combined company, and John Luke, chairman and CEO of MWV, will become non-executive chairman of the board of directors. The board will be comprised of eight directors from RockTenn and six directors from MWV. Other key executives and their positions will be determined according to their strengths and will be named prior to closing. The combined company will maintain its principal executive offices in Richmond, VA., and will have operating offices in Norcross, GA.

MWV is a global packaging company serving the healthcare, beauty and personal care, food, beverage, home and garden, tobacco, and agricultural industries. In 2012, the company acquired closure maker Polytop Corp. RockTenn produces containerboard and paperboard packaging solutions.