WEPA Professional Acquires British Hygiene Paper Provider Star Tissue

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WEPA Professional, a leading European hygiene specialist, has announced the successful acquisition of Star Tissue UK, a prominent British hygiene paper provider based in Blackburn, Lancashire. The newly acquired entity will operate under the name ‘WEPA Professional UK’, signaling WEPA's strategic commitment to further growth in the UK’s professional hygiene market.

Andreas Krengel, CEO Business Unit Professional of the WEPA Group, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, ‘WEPA stands for the production of high-quality tissue paper, and the UK market is strategically important for us. We are delighted to continue the impressive growth of Star Tissue with Managing Director Khalid Saifullah and his team as WEPA Professional UK.’

Under the leadership of Khalid Saifullah, who will remain as Managing Director, WEPA Professional UK aims to drive the integration process and foster continued growth. Khalid Saifullah stated, ‘In WEPA Professional, we have found a partner that shares our values and stands for high-quality products and first-class customer service.’

Star Tissue has a significant market position with three state-of-the-art fully automated converting lines, a warehouse and modern office space. Thanks to the acquisition, customers will benefit from an expansion of the product portfolio and an international production network of the WEPA Group in the UK and at 12 other locations in Europe. Customers and partners can expect business as usual, with the same dedication to quality, service, and sustainability.

In conclusion, both WEPA Professional and Star Tissue UK are committed to a seamless transition, maintaining operations, and retaining the current workforce. The acquisition sets the stage for a successful collaboration, combining the strengths of both companies for the benefit of customers, employees, and the overall industry.

About Star Tissue:
Founded in 2003 as a family business, Star Tissue has grown to become one of the UK's leading independent manufacturers of hygiene paper products. The Blackburn site, with 130 employees, produces a wide range of high-quality tissue products, including the Sirius, Bliss, Kleenall, and Softelle brands, known for their recognition in the UK market. The Blackburn plant has a converting capacity of 27,000 tons per annum. Star Tissue featured in the London Stock Exchanges list of 1000 most dynamic and fast growing companies in 2016, and Most Inspiring Companies in Europe in 2017. In 2022, it won the HIVE Manufacturing Excellence Award.

About WEPA:
WEPA Professional is a leading hygiene specialist in Europe, offering sustainable and innovative washroom hygiene solutions. With brands like BlackSatino and Satino by WEPA, the company caters to the needs of companies and institutions in public spaces. The range includes everything that makes a hygiene experience safe and convenient: hygiene paper, intelligent dispenser systems, air fresheners and hand sanitiser solutions. WEPA Professional is part of the WEPA Group, a family business headquartered in Germany, with 13 European production sites. The UK presence includes a site in Bridgend, Wales, for the Consumer Business Unit.

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