Tissue maker looks to create 350 jobs in Leicester
February 04, 2015 – A tissue manufacturer could create up to 350 jobs under plans to set up a multi-million pound factory in Leicester.
Leicester Tissue Company (LTC) is looking to build a factory in the city and is currently considering three separate locations.
The business is owned by the Tejani family, who made their £140 million fortune while running the LPC tissue manufacturer, in Hamilton. They sold it to Italian-owned Sofidel in 2010.
A LTC spokesman said: “The location of the new operation is not yet finalised, but we are expecting to agree this soon. Since 2010 the market in the UK has consolidated so there are now really only three major suppliers of tissue, leading to reduced choice for buyers.
“The Tejani family sees an opening to re-enter the market place, there will be a major investment in the local economy, creating many new jobs in manufacturing. As a completely new venture it will take full advantage of modern technology to offer a high quality product, efficiently produced, offering more choice and better value to the customers.
“Customers for the end product, mainly kitchen towels, toilet and facial tissues, will be the major retailers who will be able to offer the best product in their stores at a very competitive price.”
LPC (Leicester Paper Converters) was founded by the Tejani family in 1980.
When they sold their business to Sofidel in 2010 for £120 million, it created Europe’s second biggest tissue producer.
At the time of its sale, the firm employed 620 staff in Hamilton and Rothley and was the UK’s leader in the so-called “private label” market, where supermarkets sell products under their own name.
As part of the family’s new plan, LTC will receive a £1 million grant from the Government’s RegionalGrowth Fund via the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.
Another £4.8 million of private sector cash will then be invested.
Earlier:
Tejani family sells LPC Group to Sofidel, creating second largest tissue paper producer in Europe
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