14
DEALMAKERS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
By Ged Henderson
TAKING A LEADING ROLL
Khalid Saifullah is excited for the future. He believes the sale of his family business to a big-name European player in its sector will act as a catalyst for spectacular growth.
Looking ahead, he talks of the potential for the Blackburn-based tissue products manufacturer to become a billion-pound operation in years to come.
Reflecting on the deal he adds: “It has been an incredible journey so far. It just shows just where you can take something.”
Founded in 2003, Star Tissue has already grown to become one of the UK’s leading independent makers of hygiene paper products that include toilet rolls and kitchen towels.
Today it has a 130-strong workforce and turns out a wide range of high quality goods. It also holds a significant market position, with three fully automated state-of-the-art converting lines, a warehouse and modern office space – the result of continuous investment from its owners.
That ownership has now changed. In one of the first major deals to be announced in 2024, Star
Tissue has been acquired by WEPA Professional. No figure has been made public but it is reported to be a multi-million pound deal.
The hygiene and washroom specialist is part of a wider family run business, headquartered in Germany and operating 13 European production sites. With its company headquarters in Arnsberg-Müschede, near Dortmund, the group employs 4,000 staff and has a turnover of more than £1bn.
tonnes a year. Khalid, whose late father founded the business, has retained his role as managing director and Star Tissue is now trading as WEPA Professional UK.
Announcing the completion of the deal, Andreas Krengel, chief executive of the professional business unit at the WEPA Group, said: “WEPA stands for the production of high-quality tissue paper, and the UK market is strategically important for us.
The deal gives us the ability to grow the
business further and take it to the next level. They recognised the strength of the company
It is also reported to be the third largest manufacturer of hygiene paper on the continent.
The Star deal will see production continue in Blackburn and no changes to staffing levels. The plant has a converting capacity of 27,000
“We are delighted to continue the impressive growth of Star Tissue with managing director Khalid Saifullah and his team.”
WEPA first approached Star Tissue in the middle of last year. It wasn’t the only company
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