Winkler+Dünnebier (W+D), Neuwied, Germany, a division of Barry-Wehmiller and a leading provider of integrated system solutions for the mail and hygiene industries, has acquired BICMA Hygiene Technologie GmbH. Based in Mayen, Germany, BICMA designs and manufactures machinery for the production of hygiene products in the personal-care sector.

BICMA will complement W+D's Hygiene Solutions business unit, which manufactures machines that produce facial tissue and hygiene products. The collaboration will drive growth for both entities in the rapidly expanding hygiene market.

"It fills us with pride to continue the success story of BICMA, which was founded in 1995," explained Frank Eichhorn, managing director of W+D. "We want to continue to build on the company’s solid foundation in the market and learn from the BICMA team members’ great technological know-how."

BICMA will continue to be based in Mayen and led by Managing Director Thomas Spurzem, in collaboration with Eichhorn. Joint shareholder and former Technical Managing Director Lothar Geiger, who helped establish the company, is retiring at the age of 72, but will continue supporting BICMA in an advisory capacity.

"We chose to partner with W+D because both companies are guided by the same principles," said Spurzem. "It is reassuring to know that BICMA will retain our culture of reliability and innovation, and that we can continue to focus on fostering our customers’ trust and providing them with exemplary service."

In the photo above are (l-r) Lothar Geiger, Thomas Spurzem, and Frank Eichhorn. 

Bob Chapman, Barry-Wehmiller CEO, said that "I am excited to welcome the BICMA team members to W+D and Barry-Wehmiller’s people-centric culture. Together, we can enhance our offerings for the hygiene industry, while honoring BICMA’s 20-plus years of success in the market."

Winkler+Dünnebier offers a wide range of highly efficient, integrated system solutions for the mail and postal industry, as well as for the tissue and hygiene industry. With more than 100 years of industry-shaping innovations, W+D has core competence in the converting and processing of thin and in-homogeneous materials—such as paper, tissue, and nonwovens—at high speeds and tight tolerances. With innovative and tailor-made system solutions and services, W+D focuses on the entire internal value chain for its customers. Part of the Barry-Wehmiller family, W+D has production and distribution sites in Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and the U.S., with sales and service support around the world.