Winkler+Dünnebier Acquires BICMA Hygiene Technologie

Winkler+Dünnebier (W+D), a division of Barry-Wehmiller and a leading provider of integrated system solutions for the hygiene industry, has acquired BICMA Hygiene Technologie. 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. Former Technical Managing Director and joint shareholder 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."

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

Winkler+Dünnebier (W+D) 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 US, with sales and service support around the world. 

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with more than 11,000 team members united by a common belief: To use the power of business to build a better world.