WEPA has acquired MPH1865 for an undisclosed amount, marking a significant corporate acquisition in the hygiene products sector. MPH1865, a family-owned French manufacturer, specializes in wiping paper, non-woven products, and hand hygiene solutions, including soaps. The company employs 250 people in the Ardèche region and reported a turnover of €130 million in 2022, producing 45,000 tons of wiping paper annually. This transaction represents a direct purchase of MPH1865 by WEPA, not a funding round.
MPH1865 is recognized as the leading integrated French manufacturer of wiping products. Its operations span four sites with 58,000 square meters of facilities and 12 state-of-the-art transformation lines. Since 1997, the company has invested over €80 million in France, including a €30 million investment in 2012 to establish a cellulose wadding paper mill, the only such investment in France in two decades. MPH1865 produces eco-labeled pure cellulose wadding wiping products and FSC and PEFC certified hand towels, alongside its range of hand hygiene soaps.
This acquisition is strategically important for WEPA, allowing it to expand its presence and production capabilities within the French market. MPH1865's integrated manufacturing model, advanced technologies, and commitment to local production align with industry demands for efficiency and sustainability. The target company's strong environmental record, including a carbon index 30% lower than the European market average for paper wiping manufacturing, enhances the combined entity's sustainability profile and market appeal.
The integration of MPH1865 is expected to create synergies by combining expertise in production, product development, and market reach. The combined entity is positioned to strengthen its offering in professional hygiene solutions, leveraging MPH1865's specialized product lines and its focus on hand hygiene innovation. This acquisition aims to enhance operational efficiencies and reinforce market leadership in the European hygiene paper and solutions sector.