The WEPA Group, one of Europe’s three largest producers of hygiene paper, and MPH1865, a leading French manufacturer of hygiene paper and soap for the away-from-home (AfH) sector, announced plans to join forces. WEPA intends to acquire a majority stake in MPH1865, with the objective of strengthening its presence in the French professional hygiene market and further internationalising its AfH activities in Europe.
The completion of the proposed transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, in particular merger control clearance.
The planned acquisition represents a long-term strategic step for both companies. By combining their respective strengths, WEPA and MPH1865 aim to accelerate international growth and reinforce their market position in France’s away-from-home segment. Both groups are family-owned businesses and share a strong focus on operational excellence, local production, employee engagement, customer proximity and sustainability.
The partnership is expected to benefit customers, employees and the wider industry. Local and international clients and partners are set to gain from an expanded and innovative professional hygiene portfolio, supported by consistently high standards in product quality, service and environmental performance. MPH1865’s industrial network will be fully maintained and further strengthened, while all current employees will remain in employment. Marc Miribel will continue to serve as President of the company, which will retain its headquarters in southern France.
“By joining forces with MPH1865, additional value will be created for both national and international customers through broader expertise and more innovative product solutions. This step will enable the markets to be served with greater proximity, agility and reliability,” said Andreas Krengel, Chief Commercial Officer of the WEPA Group.
Martin Krengel, CEO of the WEPA Group, added: “The intention is to further expand activities in France and to strengthen Franco-German cooperation. As family businesses, WEPA and MPH1865 share common values and a long-term perspective, making this a strong strategic fit.”
Marc Miribel, President and CEO of MPH1865, commented: “This partnership represents an important milestone for the future of the company. It will allow local production to be reinforced, industrial capacity to be secured and the professional hygiene market in France to be further developed, while benefiting from WEPA’s experience and its European network.”
About MPH1865
Founded in 1865, MPH1865 is a French family-owned company and one of the national leaders in paper wiping products and hygiene solutions for professional users. Based in the Ardèche and Drôme regions, the company operates modern, fully integrated industrial facilities covering papermaking, converting, soap production and logistics. MPH1865 employs around 260 people and has an annual production capacity of up to 60,000 tonnes of paper. The company is recognised for its commitment to a responsible, sustainable and innovative French industrial model, serving health, hygiene and environmental performance.
About WEPA
The WEPA Group is among the three largest hygiene paper manufacturers in Europe. Headquartered in Arnsberg, Germany, the family-owned group employs around 4,300 people across 14 locations in Europe. WEPA produces hygiene paper for private, public and commercial applications, including toilet paper, paper towels, handkerchiefs and napkins. As a specialist in recycled fibre processing, the group is considered a pioneer in sustainability within the sector. In France, WEPA already operates two consumer tissue sites in Lille and Troyes, as well as a recycling paper processing plant in Château-Thierry. Its Professional business unit, marketed under the Satino by WEPA brand, provides sustainable hygiene solutions for public washrooms, industry, offices and healthcare facilities.
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