German-headquartered the WEPA Group is to boost its presence in the French AfH market after announcing plans to acquire a majority of the shares of MPH1865.
Founded in 1865, family-owned MPH1865 is a leading French manufacturer of hygiene paper and soap, employing 260 people and producing 60,000tpy from facilities based in Ardèche and Drôme in southern France.
WEPA confirmed that MPH1865’s industrial site network will be “fully maintained and further strengthened”, and all current employees will continue to be employed while Marc Miribel will remain President of the business.
It added that the planned acquisition “represents a long-term oriented step for both companies since joint forces will lead to international growth and a strengthened market position in the French away from home market.”
Andreas Krengel, Chief Commercial Officer of the WEPA Group: “By joining forces with MPH1865 we will create additional value for our national and international customers: broader expertise and more innovative product solutions.
“This step will allow us to serve our markets with greater proximity, agility and reliability.”
Martin Krengel, Chief Executive of the WEPA Group, added: “We are looking forward to further grow in France and to expand our Franco-German co-operation.
“As family businesses, MPH1865 and WEPA share the same values and think beyond generations – it is a perfect fit.”
Marc Miribel, President and Chief Executive of MPH1865, said: “This partnership is an important step to ensure our company’s future: this way we can strengthen local production, secure industrial capacity, and further develop the professional hygiene market in France, while at the same time we will profit from the experience and the European network of the WEPA Group.”
Closing of the acquisition is subject to obtaining all necessary approvals, including merger control.
