WEPA Group

100%
family company
≈ 4.300
employees in six countries
Among the top 3 hygiene paper manufacturers in Europe
14
production locations in Europe

Together for a better life

The WEPA Group ensures well-being and a safe feeling of hygiene for millions of people in Europe – every day and everywhere. The company is a future-orientated family business with a strong European team and a unique corporate culture. As one of the largest manufacturers of hygiene papers in Europe and an expert in the production of hygiene paper made from recycled fibres, it offers sustainable and innovative hygiene paper solutions for private and commercial spaces.


A family business
with foresight

Looking to the future and acting in a responsible way has characterised WEPA since its foundation in 1948. One element is at the centre of all decisions: the sustainable development of WEPA as a multi-generational family business. United according to our principle of “Together for a better life”, we think in the long-term and work on our mission every day together with the people in the company and our partners.

Our values

Our corporate values of respect, commitment and sustainability are firmly rooted in our corporate culture. They guide our actions and characterise the way we work together.

Respect

Humanity, appreciation, recognition, esteem and tolerance: these characterise our attitude to people and determine our actions, both within the company and with external partners. We treat each individual with the appreciation that we ourselves expect.

Commitment

Guided by our values, we are passionately committed to the goals of the family business. Together, we share responsibility for the company’s success and for the well-being of employees – in our areas of responsibility and beyond.

Sustainability

The aim of our actions is the long-term continuation of WEPA as a family business. As part of this, we not only take economic necessities into account, but also always keep our fundamental ecological and social attitude and long-term strategic orientation in mind.

Our vision

We aim to be the most sustainable and agile partner of choice for personal and professional hygiene solutions.

Actively
shaping change

With a clear strategy, flexibility and adaptability, we face up to the social and economic challenges of our time. With their commitment, our employees bring this change to life. Together, we constantly evolve and drive our transformation process in a structured manner.

One company,
three business areas

Consumer

Consumer

Success with the retail trade

As experts in the production of hygiene paper solutions for private labels, we bring together the needs of consumers with the interests of our customers. As the “brand behind the brands”, we support customers with high quality products and a very extensive understanding of category marketing. With our own brands we provide communicative awareness and educational work regarding sustainable hygiene paper and provide a stage for product innovations.

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Professional

Professional

Holistic hygiene away from home

The brands within the WEPA Professional business unit set new standards for hygiene papers and washroom solutions in the commercial and public sectors throughout Europe. Our customised products and concepts are used wherever people are away from home, ensuring a sense of well-being and a safe feeling of hygiene for users.

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Circular Solutions

Circular Solutions

Active today for the world of tomorrow

With our Circular Solutions business unit we pursue the goal of utilising sustainable growth opportunities in the circular economy. By developing new business models, acquiring stakes in companies and investing in assets, we strengthen both the economic and ecological resilience of WEPA – and fundamentally reconsider the way we produce, consume, process and reuse our resources.

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At home in Europe

We produce in the regions, for the regions. Thanks to a state of the art and flexible production network with 14 locations in six countries, wewe can ensure the supply of customers even in difficult situations. Discover our sites now.

To our Europe-wide locations

The future needs its
origins

As a family business, we value our past. The vision of our founder, to give people well-being and safe hygiene, laid the foundation for our success. This has remained the basis of our actions for generations.

1948

WEPA is founded as “Westfälische Papiergroßvertrieb GmbH”, marketing lining and packaging paper.

1953

Processing of hygiene paper begins.

1958

First paper machine for crepe paper in Müschede. With its own brand Clou, founder Paul Krengel creates the first recycled product from WEPA.

1974

First paper machine for tissue paper at the second site in Giershagen. Sammy becomes the first WEPA own brand for tissue products.

1983

First paper machine for recycled tissue paper in Müschede.

2001

Complete acquisition of Kriepa GmbH and a paper machine at the Kriebstein site.

2005

Acquisition of a mill in Piechowice/Poland.

2009

Acquisition of mills of an Italian competitor in Italy, France and Germany.

2009

First WEPA hybrid product is created: it combines two layers of cellulose with one layer of recycled paper.

2015

Acquisition of a mill in Troyes/France.

2017

Acquisition of a company in Swalmen/Netherlands.

2018

Complete acquisition of the mill in Bridgend/UK.

2019

Acquisition of a mill for producing de-inked pulp in Château-Thierry/France.

2022

WEPA uses the innovative raw material miscanthus and recycled cardboard to manufacture its products.

2023

Kriebstein mill is expanded to include fibre processing.

2023

The family business turns 75 and celebrates its anniversary with almost 10,000 employees and their families.

Production

Pioneering spirit and technological leadership

The innovative, sustainable products from WEPA fulfil the needs of people and markets – and have always advanced in tandem with technological manufacturing progress.

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The WEPA Foundation

Charitable action beyond the family business

With its products, the WEPA Group contributes to well-being and a safe feeling of hygiene for millions of people. The WEPA Foundation was established to make a long-term social and societal contribution in line with this aspiration, above and beyond the company. It is dedicated to promoting charitable initiatives in the fields of hygiene, environmental and social sustainability, lifelong learning and family entrepreneurship – and creates added value both in the locality and in a wider context.

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Future & innovation

Shaping the future with WEPA

We are a role model for successful, intergenerational and sustainable change. Proactively, courageously and through a structured and holistic approach throughout all levels of our company, we are constantly driving transformation and shaping the future of an entire industry.

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WEPA Group in our blog

WEPA Group
The WAS IST WAS tree diversity trail on the Lattenberg
WEPA Group
WEPA and their pulp supplier and long-time partner UPM joined forces to restore a peatland in Finland.