In late 2020, we announced extensive investments in infrastructure and production at the plant in Bridgend, UK. The main focus of the investment is the construction of a new paper machine with a planned annual production capacity of 65,000 tons. The machine will start up in the second quarter of 2022.
It enables The WEPA Group to strengthen its market position throughout Europe as the third largest European manufacturer in the hygiene paper market. Currently, the site in Bridgend produces toilet paper and kitchen towels for the British consumer market with around 270 employees; the overall investment will create more than 50 additional jobs.
Martin Krengel, CEO of the WEPA Group, said:
"Our willingness to invest in state-of-the-art technology is an important part of our future-oriented Group strategy. The UK remains a key growth market for us in Europe despite COVID-19 and Brexit. With the planned investments, we will be able to meet our customers' expectations in terms of product quality and sustainability even better in the future. It is important to us to produce for our UK customers in their own country. For the Bridgend site, this means a doubling of production capacity.”