In the paper product packaging sector, the Italian company Lucart has acquired control of the English company ESP, a converter of professional paper products.

Lucart has acquired 100% of the share capital of ESP Ltd (Essential Supply Products Ltd.). It is Britain's leading independent processor of professional hygiene products. The Group thus continues its internationalization plan, despite the uncertainties resulting from Brexit and the pandemic.

The investment will contribute to decisively strengthening Lucart's leadership in the European market for Away from Home hygiene products.

Massimo Pasquini, CEO of Lucart, commented on the important milestone as follows: “This operation has strategic relevance for the entire Group, as it allows us to consolidate our presence in Great Britain, which represents, for tissue paper products , the second largest market in Europe.

Our financial solidity and the will to pursue the strategic objectives of the Group, together with the awareness that the difficulties linked to the historical moment we are experiencing must not make us lose the long-term vision - continues Pasquini - have also allowed us to overcome the uncertainties generated from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. We have completed an important further step for the future development of the entire Group."

Essential Supply Products Ltd

Founded in 1990, Essential Supply Products Ltd today has a turnover of approximately €30 million per year. The Company, with headquarters and production plant in Malvern, employs 85 people on 5 different processing lines.

The production plants are spread over an area of 77,000 m2, of which 15,000 are covered. By location, market and type of production, these will allow the activation of important synergies with the other plants of the Group.

Founder Carl Theakston will collaborate personally to facilitate the handover. His words reflect the awareness of having found in Lucart the ideal buyer for the future of the Company: "Over the years we have carried out numerous operations to allow ESP to continue to compete at the highest levels.

Over time, however, I realized that the standard of investments necessary to make my ambitions for this company concrete required an investor who shared the values of the ESP family and who had the vision and desire to grow the company in a sustainable and sustainable way. to its full potential.

Lucart - concludes Theakston - is a family-run multinational group that has been operating for 68 years. His history, vision and commitment to sustainable development models make him the ideal investor so that ESP's adventure can continue in the best possible way."

Info from Lucart